Have you commuted from Manhattan to Queens? Especially to either a Mets game or to catch a flight from LaGuardia, you know what a logistical mess it is! It’s not just the traffic. It’s everything from the congested highways to heavily crowded public transit options. It all worsens when thousands of people pour into Queens for big events such as a Mets game or when the US Open brings in a million spectators.

Well, these connectivity issues have been discussed earlier by public transit advocates. However, nothing really happened. But now, they’ve got an influential partner—Steve Cohen, the $21.5 billion owner of the heart of Queens—the New York Mets. He’s the man behind an $8 billion proposed casino and an entertainment complex right next to the NYM ballpark—Citi Field.

And now, Cohen wants to bring two new NYC Ferry stops to two areas – one next to LaGuardia Airport and another at Citi Field. He’s backing a bid for the same.

Cohen addressed a letter to Mayor Adams and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. In that latter, he emphasized the importance of ferry service for “mitigating parking and heavy traffic jams.” And just for the record, this letter was also signed by officials from NYC’s professional soccer team, LaGuardia Gateway Partners, and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Their idea is pretty simple. They want to expand ferry access, which will ultimately be beneficial for all. The letter read, “It would be an ideal time to begin this service to provide construction workers, fans, and community members a convenient alternative to coming to the area by car.” It’ll ease congestion and offer a reliable substitute for construction crews. In fact, local residents will be able to ease up too.

And the timing of this is pretty interesting. Willets Point, which borders Citi Field, is on the cusp of some major development. Plus, it’s being said that NYC FC’s brand-new soccer stadium—the Etihad Park—will open its doors in 2027. Meanwhile, the US Tennis Association has also made an announcement: An $800 million overhaul of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

All of these projects are actively moving forward, and the ferry service proposal could become a key transit link. At present, the NYC Ferry carries 7 million passengers annually across all five boroughs. It is controlled by the private firm Hornblower Group under a city contract.

The service is scenic, but it’s heavily supported by taxpayer funds. According to a 2022 audit, the city had pitched somewhere around $13 per passenger. The system was criticized for “high cost and financial mismanagement.” And then, it eventually dropped down to $8.55 per passenger.

Well, Richards has been actively pushing for the ferry service to connect North Queens to other areas of the city. Now, it raises a question that might occur to many: If it all works out, will it benefit the public or mostly serve private developments? Well, let’s see how it rolls.

Meanwhile, can we talk about Cohen’s casino plans a bit?

Cohen’s casino plan near Citi Field approved?

Well, as it seems, Steve Cohen has finally scored a win in his effort to get a casino to Queens. He’s very close to being in his long-wished casino right next to the Mets’ home, Citi Field. On Tuesday, in the State Senate, the bill was approved in a 54 to 5 vote. Even though there was a fiery opposition from the local state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents most of the proposed site.

She argued that a casino can harm the surrounding neighborhoods. According to her, a casino doesn’t come close to the development her community deserves. “Casinos may bring lights, but they also bring shadows.”

She cast her vote “in defense of a vision of economic development that is dignified, sustainable, and rooted in the needs of working people, not in the wings of a billionaire.” That’s how she took a final jab at Cohen. She resisted, but ultimately the bill passed.

Governor Kathy Hochul has yet to sign it into law. Right now, he has neither opposed nor favored the project.

All Cohen needs to do is get approval from a local siting board. And he must compete for one of three highly coveted licenses for casinos, too. The licensing fees will be somewhere around $500 million. But that might not be a big deal for the NYM owner, right?

So, yeah, seems like it’s happening… Cohen is finally close to his Citi Field casino dream.