The plan to develop 50 acres of the existing parking lot at the Mets' Citi Field into a casino, hotel, and entertainment complex encircled by green space, proposed by $8 billion (£6.36 billion/€7.62 billion) New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, has been approved by all five community boards in Queens borough that were responsible for evaluating the plan.
On this project, Cohen has teamed up with Hard Rock International. A Hard Rock casino would be the focal point of the new development, and they are vying for one of three licenses in the downstate area to build casinos.
The approval process for casinos in New York requires a vote from five separate community boards. Reason being, the proposed development will encroach upon the zoning of certain neighbourhoods already included in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which is a portion of the Metropolitan Park site.
The chief of staff for Cohen, Michael Sullivan, addressed each neighbourhood board. At board sessions, prominent people, including past councilmembers, voiced their support for Metropolitan Park. The environmental group Guardians of Flushing Bay voiced their opposition to the project over multiple board sessions.
According to the Queens Daily Eagle, the initiative has now received overwhelming backing from all five community boards.
Metropolitan Park faces a long road ahead
Although the approvals bode well for Cohen's proposal, Metropolitan Park is far from finished. The plan must be greenlit by Donovan Richards, the president of the Queens borough, who has already voiced his support for it. The New York City Council and City Planning Commission must also give their stamp of approval. It needs to be approved by a local community advisory body in Queens next year.
To construct on land that is still officially parks, the passage of a parkland alienation bill is the greatest obstacle. Senator Jessica Ramos of New York, whose constituency encompasses Citi Field, has declined to present a measure. Another legislator has introduced the bill, but Cohen has not been successful in getting it introduced. For a commercial proposal to utilise existing parkland, the state must pass a bill authorising its usage.
Lastly, there are three licenses up for grabs, and the plan has to win out among ten others. By year's end 2025, the state's gambling facility location board should have decided on the licenses.
A hotel, a Hard Rock casino, and a concert hall would be part of the development, which would also feature 25 acres of parkland, sports fields, bike lanes, and access to Flushing Bay. A performance hall, a "Taste of Queens Food Hall," and upgrades to adjacent transportation infrastructure are also part of the plan.
Cohen has stated that he will provide a community benefits package along with the project. This package will address responsible gaming and enhance services for youth and seniors. The package includes a health clinic in East Elmhurst, a youth and senior centre in Corona, and addiction and mental health services in Flushing, as well as ten million dollars for each of these locations. If the idea is approved, the Mets owner has promised $1 billion in community support.
