In a recent significant vote, the New York City Council approved an ambitious proposal by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and his partner, Hard Rock International, to develop a sprawling $8 billion casino and entertainment complex, termed Metropolitan Park, on the existing parking lot adjacent to Citi Field. The council voted 41 to two in favor, with three members abstaining, according to Queens Daily Eagle, setting a positive precedent for the project’s future proceedings.

Metropolitan Park is envisioned as a vibrant hub comprising a casino, several hotels, a live music venue, and a vast 25-acre public park. Despite the City Council’s approval, the project still requires multiple layers of approval, including critical state and local authorizations and a highly sought-after casino license from New York’s Gaming Commission, as it competes against numerous developers with eyes on similar projects across downstate New York.

The City Council’s recent vote was preceded by robust endorsements from various community boards and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards last December, bolstering the project’s local support base. The City Planning Commission also cast a nearly unanimous vote in favor of the zoning changes required for the project, advancing it to the Council for the decisive vote.

Councilman Francisco Moya, representing the area, has been a vocal advocate for the project, emphasizing its potential to create meaningful job opportunities and significantly elevate the local economy. Moya stated, “This project is about more than building a new venue – it’s about creating lasting job opportunities, transforming this area into a world-class destination, and elevating our local economy to unprecedented heights.”

Plenty of Opposition to the Project

However, not all feedback was positive. Queens Councilmembers Joann Ariola and Vickie Paladino voted against the project. Ariola expressed concerns regarding the potential market competition with the existing Resorts World Casino, suggesting that the local market might be too small for two major casinos.

Furthermore, the development faces legal and legislative challenges, primarily the need for a parkland alienation bill to allow construction on the current park-designated land. This issue has seen resistance, notably from State Senator Jessica Ramos, who has expressed her opposition to changing the land’s designation, complicating the path forward.

Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, praised the project’s comprehensive community engagement, stating that the development is “designed to be more than just a destination,” promising legendary entertainment and world-class amenities that reflect the community’s preferences and needs.

The project’s fate now hinges on the forthcoming decisions by state legislators and the New York State Gaming Commission, which is set to distribute three downstate casino licenses by the end of 2025. The ongoing support from local officials and community boards, coupled with the structured urban land use review process, underscores the potential for Metropolitan Park to redefine Queens as a premier entertainment and economic epicenter in New York.