Summary
- A meeting is planned for January to discuss the idea with the public.
- New Green Willets LLC announced the meeting for January 7 at the ballpark.
- Queens residents and employees are invited to attend.
The race for casino licensing in New York City is on and many individuals as well as companies are showing interest. Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, would like to see a casino and hotel developed around Citi Field. To further push for his idea to come to fruition, Cohen is hosting a public meeting on January 7.
Discussing Possible Casino Plans with the Public
Cohen formed a new entity earlier in the year known as New Green Willets LLC. This entity will be used to promote the casino project. A visioning session was announced by the company on January 7 to give the public more information on the plans. Residents of Queens are invited to come as well as individuals who work in the area.
We know Cohen has mentioned he wants to see a casino added near the ballfield, but the statement announcing the meeting does not specifically state that a casino is being discussed. It talks about the potential entertainment opportunities for the land. There is a 50-acre section of land next to the ballpark that remains unused.
In the press release, Cohen stated that his company has been listening to the local community as they say they want more from the area. New Green Willets LLC is committed to putting forth a vision for the area that will create a space that people will want to come to and be proud of.
Continual Talk of a Casino
The press release may not have mentioned a casino in the details, but it is no secret that Cohen is in favor of one near the Mets home turf. In 2021, rumors began circulating that Cohen was talking to Las Vegas Sands officials about possibly bringing a casino to Queens near the field.
Later on, rumors said that Cohen was looking to partner with Hard Rock International instead. Gaming expansion is coming to the downstate area of New York and Cohen obviously wants to be a part of it. MGM Resorts Empire City and Resorts World New York City are expected to use two of the three available licenses.
This leaves only one that entities will need to fight for. Cohens plan has legs, as it would offer a casino and hotel, plus develop parks, and provide green spaces for the public. It also includes transportation additions. The extras in the plan could help the Mets owner to secure the single license that is up for grabs.
It will be interesting to see how the meeting plays out next month and what exactly is promoted during the event. Will the casino plan take center stage during discussions?
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