State Legislation Could Aid Redevelopment Around Citi Field

Potential redevelopment around Citi Field may skirt issues seen by previous efforts thanks to a bill introduced by a state lawmaker.

Assemblyperson Jeffrion Aubry unveiled a bill calling for the redevelopment of the Citi Field parking lot in Queens, The City reported. The bill references a gaming facility — more accurately a casino — and anything related.

The critical part of the bill, however, is the “alienation” of parkland, a designation held by the Flushing parking lot. The land needs to be discontinued as a parking lot to allow for construction.

Aubry’s bill mentioned the parkland can be alienated through leases with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s lobbying firm, among others. As part of alienation, a private developer needs to either significantly improve existing green space or the city needs to identify 20 replacement acres of parkland.

The parkland component has derailed previous efforts to redevelop around Citi Field. In 2017, the Queens Development Group — a joint venture of Related Companies and Sterling Equities — lost an appeal to build a mall on the parking lot, in part because of the alienation process. It appears a lesson has been learned since then.

There is a disconnect in the air, though. Another representative of the neighborhood, State Sen. Jessica Ramos, said she was blindsided by Aubry’s bill, planning on introducing her own version prior. She mentioned that she would need to read the bill and “have some conversations.”

Cohen has been holding visioning sessions for the area around Citi Field. His goal is to eliminate vacant space and remove the barriers dividing neighborhoods from each other and the Flushing Bay waterfront. He also wants to bring year-round entertainment to the 50 acres available, central of which would likely be a casino.

Cohen has pitched city officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, on putting a casino in the Citi Field parking lot, which is mired in lease and bond agreements and has proven to be difficult to redevelop.

— Holden Walter-Warner