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Nearly a dozen development teams are vying for the chance to win one of three licenses to build a casino in New York City. A state board won’t make their decision until later this year — but some bidders are already acting like they’ve won the lottery.
Last month, the owners of the Mets began “exploratory boring” in Citi Field’s parking lot to prepare for construction of a new entertainment complex anchored by a casino they hope to build there.
As of now, even if they were to win the casino license, they wouldn’t be allowed to build next to the Mets’ ballpark: it’s technically part of Flushing Meadows-Corona park, making it state parkland. But on Sunday, State Sen. John Liu announced that he would introduce a bill this week to allow development on the land — an about-face from his longstanding opposition.
Liu, who told THE CITY he’s still opposed to gambling and casinos, has conceded that they’ll be built no matter what. And if billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen gets the license, Liu’s vision of a pedestrian walkway over Flushing Creek may come true, too.
But the project still has opponents, from environmental groups to State Sen. Jessica Ramos — who actually represents the district where the casino would be located.
Read more here about the premature preparation for a casino at Citi Field.
Weather ☁️
Colder and cloudy, with highs in the upper 40s.
MTA 🚇
There’s no G train between Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets and Church Ave in Brooklyn from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. all week. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.
Alternate side parking 🚙
It’s in effect today, April 2.
By the way…
Is there any way to buy a home in the city without being rich? A new report from the Center for NYC Neighborhoods offers a guide to try and make homeownership possible for low- and middle-income buyers.
Our Other Top Stories
The number of stop-and-frisks conducted by NYPD officers sharply increased last year, public data analyzed by New York Focus and THE CITY reveals. Last year saw a 50% increase in stops over 2023 — and the highest number since 2014. Nearly nine in ten people stopped by the NYPD last year were Black or Latino.
Trans tennis player Cammie Woodman says she was booted from a tennis league that uses Parks Department courts after a cisgender woman complained about losing to her. In response to the complaint, the chief executive of the league — which players say is focused on casual, social match-ups — emailed Woodman, asking: “Can we move you to an appropriate level Men’s Division?”
Reporter’s Notebook
Khalil’s Suit for ICE Release to Proceed in N.J.
A federal judge has denied the Trump administration’s request to dismiss a lawsuit seeking the release of Pro-Palestinian Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil and ruled the case should proceed in New Jersey.
Khalil remains in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Louisiana. His wife Noor Abdalla, who is expecting to give birth to their first child later this month, said she was relieved at the ruling. “As the countdown to our son's birth begins and I inch closer and closer to my due date, I will continue to strongly advocate for Mahmoud’s freedom and for his safe return home so he can be by my side to welcome our first child,” she wrote in a statement. A spokesperson for the DOJ didn’t respond to a request for comment.
It’s been more than three weeks since federal agents detained Khalil, a legal permanent U.S. resident and graduate student at Columbia who became the face of student demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza. Since his arrest, the Trump administration has widened its crackdown on student demonstrators, claiming to have revoked the visas of more than 300 students and other visa holders, including at least three at Columbia.
— Gwynne Hogan
THE CITY mourns the death of John Thornton, who served as a founding member of our board of directors. Over decades, Thornton blazed many trails as an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and passionate, tireless advocate for local journalism. A longtime resident of Austin, Texas, Thornton co-founded The Texas Tribune in 2008. A decade later, he co-founded the American Journalism Project to support local newsrooms across the country, including THE CITY. He was a staunch supporter of our work — and a major source of inspiration. Anyone who ever met him will have indelible memories of his humor, acumen and boldness. To learn more about his remarkable life, see moving tributes to him by the American Journalism Project and The Texas Tribune.
Things To Do
Here are some free and low-cost things to do around the city this week.
Wednesday, April 2: At this month’s SciCafe, learn about “land subsidence:” aka sinking land. Hear from professors about how sinking cities and rising sea levels are reshaping communities all over the world. American Museum of Natural History, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 2: Manhattan Borough Historian Robert Snyder debuts his new book “When the City Stopped,” which tells the stories of essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Elebash Recital Hall at CUNY Graduate Center, 6:30 p.m
Thursday, April 3: Run a 5K through Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens with the New York Road Runners. 7 p.m.
THE KICKER: The city Department of Records and Information Services has updated its interactive map of honorary street names — check it out here.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Wednesday.
Love,
THE CITY
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