New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposal for an $8-billion casino complex adjacent to Citi Field in partnership with Hard Rock International has gotten a boost from State Sen. John Liu, according to published reports. Liu on Sunday introduced legislation that would redesignate the parking lots around the Queens baseball stadium from parkland to commercial use.

If approved, the legislation would allow the application for Cohen’s ambitious Metropolitan Park casino proposal to move forward, reported the New York Post.

“Because the parking lot is legally parkland, they require state legislation that would allow a gaming facility to be built on that parkland in order to proceed with their application to the state gaming,” Liu explained at the bill introduction.

The bill will need to be approved by the New York State Assembly and Senate, and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. A potential roadblock is opposition from State Sen. Jessica Ramos, in whose district much of the project would be built.

The Post reported that five other development teams are vying for a shot at a downstate casino license, and two existing slots parlors are applying for a gaming license to offer live table games.