Queens Future Map Change and Amendment
with 1 related matter · LU 0250-2025
Heard the first of several proposals to build a casino complex on the site, part of New York State's push to award up to three downstate gaming licenses. The applicant needs local land use approvals in hand to even compete for a state license , a decision the state expects to make by year's end , on land Robert Moses purchased and designated as parks commissioner back in 1936.
Argues Queens Future proposes to privatize 77 acres of public parkland for a hotel and casino complex including nine-story parking garages and 15-to-26-story towers.
Says the promised 20-acre park is actually a seven-acre privately-owned, steeply graded plaza tucked between the hotel complex and Citi Field.
Says Flushing Bay receives over two billion gallons of raw sewage and polluted stormwater yearly; development will increase demand on the Bowery Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Says Queens Future fails to give sufficient clarity in its FEIS on how it will comply with the city's unified stormwater rule.
Says the borough president received seventy written comments against the project and just three in support.
Cites Crain's reporting that in 2024 Queens Future spent the most of anyone lobbying dozens of city officials; asks supporters to disclose financial relationships.
Argues demapping the casino parcel makes Flushing Meadows Park forever smaller; asks for a no vote on the demapping or an acre-for-acre replacement requirement.
Urges a no vote on the commercial zoning, arguing the commercial rent x acreage x height x lease yields billions in profit making the current benefits list crumbs.
Urges council members not to vote by deference given the applicant's extreme lobbying and paid support.
Cites AALDEF 2024 exit polls finding nearly 70% of Asian American voters in NY and nearly half of Flushing-area respondents strongly opposed to the casino.
Cites the city's own racial equity data that Flushing, Corona and Elmhurst have the highest risk of displacement of any Queens neighborhoods; non-white populations over 94% and poverty rates over 50%.
Argues the EIS adopted a mere quarter-mile-radius study area (mostly Flushing Bay, Corona Park, Willets Point), so displacement of small businesses and tenants is unstudied; fails CEQR's 'hard look' requirement.
- If license not awarded, site remains parkland and applicant cannot use the new underlying zoning district
- City map change takes effect only if alienation legislation is adopted AND a gaming license is granted; CPC approval provides for that condition
- MWBE local hiring requirement of minimum 30%, committed goal of 35% and beyond to the borough president
- $163 million community benefit fund in RFA application; ultimate enforcement mechanism is the gaming license itself, ability to operate, and license renewal — enforceable by the gaming commission
- City map changes conditioned on applicant being awarded a gaming facility license by the state