Don’t bet against the Queens casino plan just yet.
Mets owner Steve Cohen’s bid to build a casino near Citi Field cleared its latest hurdle Monday by signing a deal to make nice with the operators of the US Open after a bombshell lawsuit.
The Cohen-Hard Rock Metropolitan Park group vying for a coveted downstate casino license signed an agreement with Mayor Eric Adams’ administration that largely addressed concerns from the Tennis Association, whose lease bans or restricts other events in the area during the Open.
The deal respects the Tennis Association’s “superiority” rights for parking lot spaces and prohibitions on other competing events and activities from taking place on the neighboring lots — with the exceptions of Mets games at Citi Field — during the 23 days the US Open takes place in September.
“This moves forward Metropolitan Park as a comprehensive transformation of the area that embraces the existing sports attractions to create a world-class sports and entertainment destination in the heart of Queens,” said a spokesperson for the group, Queens Future.
“This is a positive step forward for the local community and fans,” the rep added.
Adams’ office said the proposed casino and the US Open can co-exist and thrive.
“We look forward to the advancement of a world-class casino that would create thousands of union-paying jobs, billions of dollars in economic impact, and improvements to local communities,” said City Hall spokesperson Liz Garcia.
The TA, which has a 99-year lease of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center through 2092, said in a statement that the issues raised in the lawsuit have been addressed by the city adding the “required language” to its deal with Queens Future for protections during the three-week tournament.
The Open is estimated to bring in more than $1.25 billion annually to the local economy as a global draw and one of the four recognized prestigious Grand Slam tennis tournaments — along with the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.
“We look forward to welcoming the casino as our newest neighbor in Flushing Meadow-Corona Park,” spokesman Brendan McIntyre said.
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board will soon recommend to the Gaming Commission which of the three finalists should obtain a casino license — Cohen/Hard Rock-Metropolitan Park, the Genting/Resorts World slots parlor at Aqueduct and Bally’s at the former Trump golf course in Bronx Ferry Point.
The Cohen-Hard Rock $8 billion planned casino project is also a potential boon and cash cow for government coffers. The project includes a hotel and music venue as well as the gaming center and when completed will provide easier pedestrian access to the Flushing Bay waterfront.
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