Councilman Francisco Moya, who represents Willets Point and Flushing Meadow Park, expresses his unwavering backing concerning the decision of Mets owner Steve Cohen to launch “Metropolitan Park” – a casino project worth $8 billion.
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Steve Cohen plans to construct a vast $8 billion casino complex next to City Field. Francisco Moya, who represents the Queens neighborhood, supports the decision of the Mets owner to change the design of Queens.
Stressing the Promising Perks for Queens, Francisco Moya Supports the Opening of a Luxurious “Metropolitan Park” Casino
The New York City Post reported that a representative of Flushing Meadow Park and Willets Point communities F. Moya expressed his strong support for the “Metropolitan Park” project, highlighting its possible benefits for Queens and New York City. The casino project meets the financial perspectives of both Queens and New York as the construction will include a hotel, a music venue, and a gaming center.
Cohen’s initiative depends on legislative approval concerning the reuse of the area surrounding Citi Field. At the moment, it is classified as parkland. However, the support and sponsorship of the councilman allowed Cohen to make substantial progress in the project promotion.
However, Moya faces the opposition of several politicians. What’s more, the project cannot be launched without the support of State Sen. Jessica Ramos. Her approval is vital, but she is currently not persuaded to provide it. Having disapproved of Cohen’s team’s lobbying strategies, Ramos has chosen not to support the project.
Moya is a big fan of development projects. According to his words, the “Metropolitan Park” project will become a financial boom center for gamblers and sports fans. This “economic engine” might draw tourists during all four seasons and improve the gaming impressions of people who got used to Citi Field sports, New York Football Clubs, and the USTA Tennis Center.
Cohen’s Casino Project Benefits from Political Backing and Regulatory Delays
Even though regulatory approvals concerning the awarding of new casino licenses in New York City will be hard to get until late 2025, industry insiders state that Cohen might benefit from this situation. It gives him more time to get the essential support in Albany. Thanks to the alleged cordial relationships with Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, Cohen gets an indisputable advantage over his rivals in the competitive high-stakes casino market.
Cohen’s project is a drop in the ocean of ambitious projects in the profitable casino market. Each project representative tries to bite a piece of the lucrative pie. Rival projects come from well-known companies like SL Green, Roc Nation, The Related Companies, Wynn, Thor Equities, Caesars, and others. All of them want to make a name for themselves in key parts of the city.
Alongside the intense discussion around Queens’ landscape alterations, the introduced support of Moya concerning the casino’s erection highlights the intricate relationship between economics, politics, and community interests. They shape the course of urban development in New York City, meaning the realization of Cohen’s casino plan depends on overcoming a maze of legal obstacles and gaining elusive political support.
