Introduction to the Controversy
More than 100 people joined a protest aimed at local elected officials Sunday afternoon after a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) unanimously voted in favor of the Metropolitan Park casino proposal last week. Protesters gathered at Corona Plaza on Sunday, Oct. 5, holding signs such as “sold us out” and “casinos kill communities” to protest against the ambitious $8 billion proposal by Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International.
The Metropolitan Park Proposal
The project is one of four developments chasing three downstate gaming licences set to be awarded by the State Gaming Commission this December. If approved, it would transform 50 acres of Citi Field parking lot into a sprawling casino complex featuring a 25-acre public park, new shops and restaurants, a Taste of Queens food hall, and a full-scale redevelopment of the Mets-Willets Point subway station, along with improvements to roads and bike paths. The Metropolitan Park proposal has gone through rigorous public oversight ever since Cohen and Hard Rock launched the proposal in November 2023. Although the proposed development area is an asphalt parking lot, it was legally designated as city parkland, meaning the city needed to approve zoning text and city map amendments before the project could proceed. The state legislature also needed to approve parkland alienation legislation reclassifying the site as commercial property.
Community Response and Oversight
Both houses of the legislature, along with the City Council, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the necessary changes. All six relevant Community Boards also voted in favor of the project as the zoning text and city map amendments made their way through ULURP last year. All projects vying for a downstate license also required approval from a CAC, with four of the eight projects rejected by their relevant CAC, including all three Manhattan-based proposals. The Metropolitan Park CAC, however, voted unanimously in favor of the project, with Assembly Member Larinda Hooks, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Council Member Francisco Moya voting in favor. Lin Zeng, appointed on behalf of Mayor Eric Adams, George Dixon, appointed by State Sen. Jessica Ramos, and Gov. Kathy Hochul appointee Gregory Anderson also voted in favor of Metropolitan Park.
Vows to ‘keep fighting’
That unanimous vote sparked anger among some members of the local Flushing and Corona community, prompting Sunday’s protest at Corona Plaza. The protest, organized by worker advocacy non-profit Flushing Workers Center, heard concerns from community members about the potential impacts that a casino would have on the area. Protesters also vowed to “keep fighting” to prevent “public land” from being transferred into the hands of Cohen and Hard Rock. One woman, who did not provide her name to QNS, alleged that the Metropolitan Park CAC “only wanted to hear from Cohen” and further alleged that no CAC members listened to members of the local community. Protesters also accused the CAC of shutting down a hearing on Metropolitan Park to prevent opponents to the project from voicing their concerns. A representative for Flushing Workers Center alleged that the CAC was “stifling” the voices of the local community by greenlighting the Metropolitan Park project.
A ‘home run’ for Queens
Metropolitan Park spokesperson Karl Rickett pushed back against the protests, noting that the proposal has received support from six community boards as well as city and state officials. “With approval by six out of six community boards, the City Council, the State Legislature and unanimous support from the Community Advisory Committee, it’s clear the community stands behind Metropolitan Park,” Rickett said in a statement. Protesters, however, accused community boards of giving extra speaking time to supporters of the project and alleged that the process was “manipulated.” Meanwhile, elected officials and community groups have touted the potential benefits of the Metropolitan Park proposal, pointing to 23,000 union jobs and $1 billion in community benefits. Speaking after last week’s CAC vote, Richards said he had voted in favor of the project partially because of the “outreach and respect” that the Metropolitan Park team had shown the local community.
Conclusion
The Metropolitan Park proposal has sparked intense debate within the community, with some hailing it as a potential economic boon and others expressing concerns about its impact on the area. As the proposal moves forward, it remains to be seen how the community will continue to respond and whether the project will ultimately be approved. With the potential for 23,000 union jobs and $1 billion in community benefits, the project’s supporters argue that it could be a significant boost to the local economy. However, opponents of the project are determined to continue fighting against it, citing concerns about the potential negative impacts on the community.
FAQs
Q: What is the Metropolitan Park proposal?
A: The Metropolitan Park proposal is a $8 billion project to transform 50 acres of Citi Field parking lot into a casino complex featuring a 25-acre public park, new shops and restaurants, and a full-scale redevelopment of the Mets-Willets Point subway station.
Q: Who voted in favor of the project?
A: The Metropolitan Park CAC, including Assembly Member Larinda Hooks, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Council Member Francisco Moya, voted unanimously in favor of the project.
Q: What are the potential benefits of the project?
A: The project’s supporters argue that it could bring 23,000 union jobs and $1 billion in community benefits to the area.
Q: What are the concerns about the project?
A: Opponents of the project are concerned about its potential impact on the community, including the potential for displacement of low-income and working-class residents, and the potential negative impacts on local businesses and quality of life.
