The New York Mets’ plans to open a casino near Citi Field hit a roadblock on Thursday when Senator Janice Johnson rejected the proposal, citing concerns about the potential negative impact on the surrounding community.
The Mets had been in talks with local officials for months about the possibility of building a casino on the team’s property in Queens. The proposed casino, which would have been located just steps away from the ballpark, was expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the team and create hundreds of jobs in the area.
However, Senator Johnson, who represents the district where Citi Field is located, expressed reservations about the project during a press conference on Thursday. She raised concerns about the potential increase in traffic, noise, and crime that could result from the casino’s opening.
“The Mets may be a beloved sports team, but that doesn’t give them a free pass to disrupt the lives of the residents in this community,” Senator Johnson said. “We need to prioritize the well-being of our constituents over profits for a private corporation.”
The Mets, who had hoped to capitalize on the lucrative gambling industry, expressed disappointment at the senator’s decision. Team owner Steve Cohen released a statement expressing his frustration with the rejection.
“We have worked diligently to address any concerns raised by the community and local officials, and we believe that our proposed casino would have been an asset to the area,” Cohen said. “We are saddened by Senator Johnson’s decision, but we will continue to explore other options to bring economic growth to this neighborhood.”
Despite the setback, the Mets remain committed to finding new revenue streams to offset their financial losses during the pandemic. The team has already made significant investments in player acquisitions and facilities upgrades in recent months, and the addition of a casino would have provided a significant boost to their financial bottom line.
The rejection of the Mets’ casino plans is expected to have a ripple effect on the team’s future business ventures. The team will now need to reassess its options and develop a new strategy to generate revenue outside of the traditional baseball season.
For now, fans will have to wait and see what the team’s next move will be. The Mets have faced their fair share of challenges in recent years, but their resilience and determination have always persevered. It remains to be seen how the team will overcome this latest setback and continue to thrive in the competitive world of Major League Baseball.
