Operator News

Bid to develop a casino at New York Mets gets support from Queens Council Member

By Phil - 3 April 2024

Queens Council Member Francisco Moya has confirmed his support for an US$8bn New York casino project put forward for Metropolitan Park by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International on the car park of Citi Field where the Mets play.

Mr. Moya said: “While we faced real obstacles and challenges in our initial discussions, I was clear that Metropolitan Park would need to fulfill several specific criteria to earn my support. I’m happy to report that over the past six months, Mr. Cohen and Hard Rock International have worked to address all of these requirements,” Moya said. “Beyond my own dialogue with Mr. Cohen, I have also spoken extensively with local community leaders and residents. We agree that Mr. Cohen’s community-informed vision of a sports, entertainment and recreational destination, including new passive and active open spaces, an entertainment venue, gaming facility, and hotel will be a positive and transformative economic boon for our community and city.”

“I am committed to advancing a New York City Council home rule message for the State to authorize the City of New York to seize this opportunity, by permitting additional uses on this land to facilitate the sports, entertainment, and recreational park,” Mr. Moya added. “Additionally, to ensure the success of this project, I am committing to advancing any and all other required actions, including any zoning, land use and Gaming Commission required approvals.”

The project would include an entertainment district including an indoor live music venue, hotel, bars, restaurants, a community space and a casino.

“Combined, these will provide the economic engine to drive people to the area year-round and create a world-class fan experience for the millions who come to Citi Field, the USTA Tennis Center, and all those who will soon be coming to cheer on the NYCFC,” Mr. Moya said. “If we fail to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we ensure that the area around Citi Field remains underutilized parking lots for the foreseeable future; and we permanently stymie the future growth potential of Queens. Let’s not allow that to happen.”

Mets owner Steve Cohen said: “It’s time the world’s greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves. When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better. Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of.”

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Park said: “We are proud to partner with Council Member Moya on Metropolitan Park and look forward to working closely with him as we transform this area into a space that both the fans and the community can be proud of.

The project even has the backing of Rev. Patrick Young, pastor of the First Baptist Church of East Elmhurst. He said: “For too long, Queens and our neighborhoods have missed out on opportunities for jobs, housing, and entertainment. Together, Metropolitan Park and the Willets Point plan will change that by creating thousands of good-paying union jobs, unprecedented amounts of affordable housing, and new parks for the community to enjoy.”