Queens neighbors, touting jobs and recreation, mostly back casino near Citi Field

Months after it appeared to hit a brick wall, a proposed $8 billion casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field in Queens seems to be gaining new life.

A public hearing on Thursday on the proposed Metropolitan Park, organized as part of the city’s extensive land-use review process by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, stretched for over four hours. While some community members voiced environmental concerns and about gambling addiction, a clear majority touted promised project benefits in jobs and recreation.

Seth Bornstein, the executive director of the Queens Economic Development Corporation, said the possibility of landing the project marked the borough’s transformation from a chronically “untouchable” area to one that is now “desirable,” and argued that it would benefit thousands of working families.

“It would be horrible to squander this incredible opportunity,” Bornstein said.

The initiative helmed by Mets owner Steve Cohen is one of 11 vying to bring a casino to the New York City metropolitan area. The project would also include hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and a public park. It’s estimated to result in 23,000 union jobs.

The developer has promised to favor local residents and the food vendors who currently work along Roosevelt Avenue for job opportunities. The developer also pledges to create a health clinic in East Elmhurst and a youth and senior center in Corona.

The project has been gathering support from community boards but is opposed by local state Assemblymember Jessica Ramos, a Democrat. Ramos’ office said her approval is needed in order for the parkland near Citi Field to be designated for non-public use. But the project’s backers, including a spokesperson for Cohen, said there are other avenues for pushing the project forward, including by having another legislator introduce the necessary legislation.

An aide to Richards, who has publicly supported the project, would likely make a formal announcement this month.

Many of the nearly 60 speakers at Thursday’s session voiced approval for the project, but some said they had serious concerns about its environmental impacts.

Jackson Heights resident Joseph Datko warned that “Flushing Meadows is sinking,” pointing to a study published by NASA last year. He added that large-scale development in the area might require costly renovations in order to counter flood risks.

“Who’s going to be holding the bag?” Datko asked.

Margaret Flanagan, a lifelong resident of Queens and volunteer with Guardians of Flushing Bay, voiced similar concerns. She said the development “will make Flushing Meadows Park smaller, forever losing 25 acres of publicly owned open space.”

But the project’s developer and supporters said it would bring about “climate readiness” in a variety of ways, including by transforming the asphalt parking lot into green space, leading to greater rain capture and the elevation of the land above the floodplain.

Cortney Koenig Worrall, the president and CEO of Waterfront Alliance, said she supported the public-private partnership in part because “there is very little prospect of federal or state funding coming for climate improvements to New York City, especially to its parks.”

Other speakers debated the project’s impact on New Yorkers prone to addiction.

William Kramer, a resident of Astoria and a former recovery coach, expressed concerns about the connection between “gambling addiction and fentanyl addiction” and asked the room to observe a moment of silence for “victims of the fentanyl epidemic, because I know this will increase use of fentanyl in this area.”

“It’s an elephant in the room,” Kramer said.

However, aides to Cohen noted that the project would include $5 million for addiction and mental health services infrastructure in Flushing as well as training for employees to spot “red flag signs” in casino patrons.

Costa Constantinides, a former city councilmember who has become a vocal supporter of the project, said he spoke from personal experience: He had seen his father live as a “problem gambler” who squandered much of the family’s wealth at illegal gambling venues.

“I remember getting beaten up by a bookie at 16 years old,” he said. “That was my life.”

“I’d rather have an institution in our own borough that actually allows us to have safety rather than just having a free-for-all where everyone’s on their phones or going to illegal clubs,” he said.