Mets owner Steve Cohen has released new renderings of a lavish new entertainment venue planned for the Citi Field neighborhood in Queens.
Cohen, the billionaire hedge fund manager who bought the Mets in 2020, is working with Hard Rock Entertainment to transform Citi Field's parking lot into a vast $8 million arcade, hotel and music venue. “Metropolitan Park” It follows the team's official name.
The proposed recreational playground would provide 20 acres of green space, five acres of athletic and playground areas, and access to Flushing Bay and Flushing-Corona Park.
The plan also aims to improve public transport, road networks and parking, and predicts it will create 15,000 full-time and construction-related jobs over the next few years.
Cohen has yet to get approval from key legislators, particularly State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents Willets Point and the surrounding area, to use the land for a casino entertainment facility. The land is currently zoned for parkland.
He also needs Gov. Kathy Hawkle's support to pass legislation allowing commercial development there.
The casino plans also require approval from state gaming regulators.
Under current law, state officials can issue up to three new casino licenses in the southern region, which includes New York City.
Gaming giants and real estate heavyweights are doing all they can to secure one of the three coveted licenses, making it stiff competition for Cohen.
Developers and casino operators are working together to propose building casinos in Times Square, Hudson Yards, Coney Island and possibly at Ferry Point in the Bronx, where gambling operator Bally's has replaced the Trump Organization as the golf course operator.
