Momentum is building for the $8 billion Metropolitan Park proposal as New York lawmakers push the project closer to the licensing stage. Developers aim to transform a stretch of Willets Point asphalt into a mix of green space, public amenities, and a casino-hotel complex.
Good to know
- A key committee vote has advanced a casino proposal near Citi Field.
- The $8 billion Metropolitan Park project includes green space, a hotel, and entertainment areas.
- Lawmakers face a June 27 deadline for submitting casino license bids in downstate New York.
Backed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, the development would sit next to Citi Field. A key piece of land—currently used for parking—is classified as parkland, which blocks commercial development unless lawmakers change its designation.
On Tuesday, the project cleared a major hurdle. A State Senate committee voted 4–3 in favor of a bill introduced by Senator John Liu. The legislation would “alienate” the land’s park status, opening the door for the full proposal to move forward.
The bill’s progress comes just weeks before the state’s June 27 deadline for downstate casino license bids. The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board will make its recommendations later this year, but the legislative path must be cleared first.
In response to the vote, Metropolitan Park spokesperson Karl Rickett stated, “For decades, these 50 acres of asphalt have only been parking lots. Today’s committee approval brings us one step closer to delivering 25 acres of actual public park space, 23,000 union jobs, new entertainment options, and over $1 billion in community benefits for Queens.”
Cohen and Hard Rock have also introduced community-focused additions to their proposal. They recently partnered with Slate Property Group to build 450 residential units nearby—an effort to show broader economic and social value to regulators.
A Rocky Road
The proposed casino will face strong competition. Two of the three available downstate licenses are likely to go to MGM’s Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World New York in Queens. That leaves one spot and multiple contenders.
Some have already exited the race. Saks Fifth Avenue dropped out, and Las Vegas Sands also stepped away earlier this month. The field is narrowing as the deadline approaches.
Despite gaining traction, the proposal has faced political resistance. Senator Jessica Ramos, who represents the district containing most of the planned site, has voiced opposition to removing the land’s parkland status. Still, she recently acknowledged that the bill could move forward even without her support.
The project, which includes a casino, hotel, and park space, is designed to revitalize an underused area while offering long-term economic benefits. With Tuesday’s vote, it remains in strong contention as the licensing race tightens.
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