New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s plan to build a casino next to Citi Field took a step forward Tuesday as state lawmakers moved to clear one of the project’s major remaining hurdles.
The Democratic-led state Senate voted 54-5 on Tuesday to allow New York City to reclassify 50 acres of parking lots surrounding the Mets’ stadium, a key approval for the Cohen-backed project that is seeking one of the state’s three remaining licenses to operate a private casino.
The bill, which the state Assembly approved earlier this month, now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for her signature or veto.
The bill is crucial to Cohen and Hard Rock International’s $8 billion plan for a casino resort, entertainment district and park.
