Interesting development here…
Form the NY Post
Steve Cohen’s Mets are losers — and so is apparently his Queens casino bid, at least for now.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos — who represents the Flushing-Corona area where Cohen wants to erect an $8 billion “Metropolitan Park” casino-entertainment complex — says she will not introduce legislation allowing the billionaire clubhouse owner to obtain a permit needed for his project to go forward.
In a statement, the representative of the common man said:
“I will not introduce legislation to alienate parkland in Corona for the purposes of a casino. Whether people rallied for or against Metropolitan Park, I heard the same dreams for Corona. We want investment and opportunity, we are desperate for green space, and recreation for the whole family. We disagree on the premise that we have to accept a casino in our backyard as the trade-off. I resent the conditions and the generations of neglect that have made many of us so desperate that we would be willing to settle.
I have drafted an alternative alienation bill that strikes a balance and would allow Mr. Cohen and Hard Rock to build a convention center and hotel, and more than double the proposed open green space. The parcel in question is in strategic proximity to LaGuardia Airport, and allows for visitors and tourists to feed into our vibrant food scene while addressing the consequence of
climate change in the area. Mr. Cohen and Hard Rock would still make a profit, albeit less. I hope my Assembly counterpart will consider this proposal so we can bring it to the Governor’s office and get to work. I recommend the City amend the lease to collect revenue from propertytax and allow for speedy renovation of this parcel. Mr. Cohen and his team have often declared their love for our community and said theyrecognize our potential. Finding a path forward would be a good way to show it.”
I am less excited than I was initially. I still don’t see why we are giving parkland to a billionaire to build anything. If he wants to make the area better then let’s let him build A PARK.
Anyway, his bluff has been called. Let’s see if he is still interested in the hotel business.
