The most powerful New York City Democrat in the state Senate endorsed legislation on Tuesday that would allow billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen to submit a bid to open an $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field.
“I support it,” said Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, who represents the western Queens neighborhoods of Astoria and Long Island.
The bill, which passed the state Assembly last week, would redesignate the vacant lots around Citi Field designated from parkland for commercial use.
Gianaris’ backing of the bill strongly indicates the measure can pass the Senate.
Without the land use approval, Cohen and gaming partner Hard Rock would be unable to submit a bid for one of up to three state casino licenses that will be awarded by the state Gaming Commission by year’s end.
Approval allows Cohen to roll the dice for a license.
“I think it’s important to recognize that we’re not picking to put a casino on that site. We’re just allowing them to apply with all the other potential candidates,” Gianaris said following a meeting of the Senate Democratic caucus on the bill.
Gianaris, ironically, became known as the “Amazon slayer” — after blocking the delivery giant from opening a massive East Coast headquarters in the Long Island City portion of his district.
He called the closed door meeting “quite productive” but said it remains to be seen whether there are enough Democratic votes to bring the casino land use bill to the floor for a vote.
Queens Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the Flushing-Corona area where much of the casino complex would be located, told her Democratic colleagues she opposes the measure.
“I outlined the outreach I did to my constituents: three town halls, a poll and an online survey,” Ramos said.
“My constituents are overwhelmingly against the casino and I will be voting no should the bill come to the floor for a vote.”
But John Liu, another Queens senator whose district extends to a small portion of the casino project, agreed to introduce and push to pass the land use measure.
He said many of his constituents backed the “Metropolitan Park” casino project.
Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee Chairman Joe Addabbo said he would oppose the bill, deferring to the wishes of the local senator, Ramos.
But he predicted it would pass anyway.
Meanwhile, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano on Tuesday called upon New York State to immediately award full casino licenses for Yonkers at MGM Empire City Casino and the Resorts World Aqueduct racino after Wynn and Related Companies withdrew their bid Monday to open a $12 billion casino complex in Hudson Yards amid fierce community opposition.
Both race track slots parlors are seeking licenses to offer live table games.
“We have two racinos whose owners are ready to pay the State a billion dollars in application fees today, and to start generating hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes tomorrow, “ said Spano, adding, “We all know that the cutbacks from Washington are going to cause holes in the State and local budgets by the end of the year, so let’s be proactive.”
The state Gaming Commission will award up to three casino licenses and collect a $500 million license fee from each recipient by Dec. 31 after a review of bids by the state Gaming Facility Location Board.
