Mets Owner Steve Cohen Unveils Renderings of Proposed Casino and Entertainment District in Queens
Project Details
Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock Entertainment have released renderings of their proposed Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment district in Queens. The project would feature a new casino, as well as parks, restaurants, and shopping areas. The centerpiece would be a casino run by Hard Rock Entertainment, requiring a license Cohen is vying for in a fierce bidding war opened up by state legislation authorizing new downstate gaming facilities.
Parkland Alienation
The proposal includes 25 acres of new public parkland on what is currently a giant parking lot at Citi Field. Cohen is pledging to transform the Willets Point area west of Citi Field into a major entertainment destination. The team behind Metropolitan Park has proposed building 20 acres of new public parks and 5 acres of new community athletic fields, accessibility upgrades at the Mets-Willets Point 7 train stop, improved roadways and cycling paths, and a $163 million "community impact fund" that would provide grants to local Queens nonprofits.
Competition and Opposition
The competition for the third license is fierce, with bidders seeking to build casinos in Times Square, Hudson Yards, the United Nations, Coney Island, and the former Trump Links golf course in the Bronx, among other spots. Many of the bids have faced significant community opposition, a potential death knell in a system designed to center the input of local politicians. Cohen’s bid is facing particular headwinds: the parking lot at Citi Field is technically considered parkland, and allowing development on the site would require a "parkland alienation" bill in Albany.
Local Reaction
Local state Sen. Jessica Ramos has expressed opposition to the project, citing what she said was opposition to a casino from her constituents. However, Borough President Donovan Richards has rebuked her stance, saying that the project would bring much-needed investment and jobs to the area. Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry has introduced an alienation bill in his chamber, and City Council Member Francisco Moya is also a backer of the project.
Conclusion
The proposed Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment district is a complex project that has the potential to bring significant investment and jobs to the Queens area. While there are concerns about the impact of a casino on the community, the project’s backers believe that it would be a positive development for the area. The outcome of the project will depend on the outcome of the bidding process and the decision of local elected officials.
FAQs
Q: What is the proposed Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment district?
A: The proposed Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment district is a project that would feature a new casino, as well as parks, restaurants, and shopping areas.
Q: Who is behind the project?
A: The project is being led by Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock Entertainment.
Q: What is the competition for the third license?
A: The competition for the third license is fierce, with bidders seeking to build casinos in Times Square, Hudson Yards, the United Nations, Coney Island, and the former Trump Links golf course in the Bronx, among other spots.
Q: What is the status of the project?
A: The project is still in the bidding process, and its fate will depend on the outcome of the process and the decision of local elected officials.
Q: What is the opposition to the project?
A: There is opposition to the project from some local elected officials, including State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who has expressed concerns about the impact of a casino on the community.
