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Queens State Sen. John Liu announced his plans to support the efforts to build a casino near Citi Field.  The casinos are to be developed by the billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen, and the project is supposed to be worth $8b billion.

The project will have a beneficial impact on the local community by providing jobs and local economic development.  Some have questioned the need for a casino now when most games are available online, and the best crypto casinos provide all the betting options, such as on-the-ground ones.

Senator’s Support

Senator Liu said that he would introduce a bill that would remove the final obstacle the casino was facing.  The bill will reclassify the 50 acres of asphalt parking lots around the Mets ballpark as commercial property.  Currently, it’s classified as parkland.

The change will allow Cohen to start building, but there are also conditions for this support as outlined by the senator. Cohen and his partner will be obligated to invest in local infrastructure with a particular project in mind.

The Bridge

Cohen has agreed to build the Flushing Skypark – a High Line-inspired pedestrian and bicycle bridge.  It would connect downtown Flushing and Willets Point.

“I understand that Flushing Skypark will not be easy to achieve, but if anyone can do it, it would be the Metropolitan Park team,” Liu said at a press conference.

Cohen and his partners from High Rock International have pledged their support for Skypark and have taken on the obligation to secure all the necessary funding as well as obtain all the licenses.  If the project doesn’t move forward for any reason, the investors have pledged their support for $100 million for infrastructure improvements to Flushing Meadows Corona Park instead.  These are to be delivered in ten yearly installments of $10 million.

Public Statements

Cohen has also issued a statement about the recent developments and the projects that he will invest in.

“As an organization based in Willets Point, we shared the community’s concerns around connectivity and recognized that the Skypark would be a great way to bring Queens together,” Cohen said in a statement.  “Metropolitan Park is committed to working to make Flushing Skypark a reality.”

The support for the project has also come from the local authorities.  In particular, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards expressed his support for the plan.  He especially praised the fact that the project will bring in 23,000 union jobs.

The Opposition

 There’s also opposition to the plan both in terms of the casino project and in terms of the recent addition of the public infrastructure project.  Many have pointed out that the Senator’s district borders the area in which the public works will take place, but it’s not a part of it.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who is running for mayor of New York City, has come out with the opposition to the plan.  She has stated that she doesn’t endorse the casino, as it goes against the wishes of her constituency.  However, opposing projects that bring jobs to the region is difficult in an election year.

Other Options for The Casino

Cohen isn’t the only one trying to get the license to build a new casino in the area.  There’s also an option for it to be built on Coney Island.  The consortium looking to build it includes Thor Equities, Legends, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and Global Gaming Solutions, a commercial arm of the Chickasaw Nation.

This proposition has come under attack from the local community, which is a common theme with big projects such as these.  That’s why Cohen’s effort to build the bridge presents an important step in getting support from the local community.

A Changing Outlook

There’s a changing outlook about casinos, and it’s reflected in the fact that many new licenses are about to be issued.  These will cover both sports betting and games of luck.  Many communities now see casinos as a chance to bring in jobs and income from tourism.

This is partly due to the prevalence of online casinos that have brought the games to everyone’s pocket, making the casinos themselves feel less threatening.

To Sum Up

Queens State Sen. John Liu has supported the building of a casino worth $8 billion, as proposed by Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets.  The investment is now attached to building a large local infrastructure project.  Cohen has agreed to that arrangement as well.  He’s made promises to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, further connecting the area.

There are other bidders for the casino license, and there’s opposition to Cohen’s proposal as the local gambling landscape is changing and becoming more permissive.  The change is partly due to the increased popularity of online casinos, which are now widely used.