The City: Steve Cohen Playing Hardball With Parking Lots for Future Soccer Stadium

Via TheCity

Mets Owner Playing Hardball With Parking Lots for Future Soccer Stadium

Steve Cohen has not agreed to a deal that would allow fans at NYCFC games park on Citi Field’s lots, hoping to leverage the land in favor of his casino bid.

Mets owner Steve Cohen is stalling on a pending deal that would allow soccer fans attending games at a future Willets Point stadium to park in Citi Field’s lot — holding out in hopes of getting city clearance to build a casino, according to multiple people familiar with the negotiations.

The Mets owner recently told City Hall and Economic Development Corporation officials that he won’t agree to any parking deal unless the City Council votes favorably on home rule, according to multiple people familiar with those conversations.

Support for a home-rule vote in the Council is so far scant. Local Councilmember Francisco Moya, a Democrat and soccer devotee who has pushed for the stadium, has not come out in favor of Cohen’s casino push. (via The City)