Summary:
- Early site work has begun on the 50-acre lot for Steve Cohen’s $8 billion casino and entertainment complex.
- The project will include 5,000 slot machines, table games, a hotel, a live music venue, and 25 acres of public park space.
- Officials aim to minimize disruption for Mets fans and local residents.
While the New York Mets are busy getting ready for the fresh season at spring training in Florida, something else is quietly brewing back home in Queens. Namely, in the parking lots near Citi Field, early work has started on Metropolitan Park.
The huge casino and entertainment project is backed by team owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International.
No Groundbreaking Celebrations Yet
Crews have begun basic preparation on the site, which covers more than 50 acres of city-owned land. This early phase includes removing curbs and clearing sections of the parking lot.
While this is an important step, officials explain it does not represent the official groundbreaking yet. That will happen later, although no timeline has been confirmed.
Karl Rickett, Metropolitan Park’s spokesperson, said in a statement.
Preparation for construction is now underway, bringing us one step closer to creating 23,000 jobs, 25 acres of new public park space, and the sports and entertainment district Queens deserves. Our commitment to this community has guided us from day one, and will continue to be our priority as we realize this vision.
Thousands of Casino Game Options
The scale of the project is massive. Plans call for a full casino that would host thousands of slot machines, hundreds of table games, and dozens of poker tables.
There will also be a hotel, a live music venue, open park space, and a food hall highlighting local Queens restaurants. The development won one of three highly sought casino licenses issued by the New York State Gaming Commission in December.
Parking has been one of the biggest concerns from the beginning. Mets fans, tennis fans attending the US Open, and local residents have all questioned how the project will affect traffic and access.
Rickett did not offer details about how parking might change during this baseball season, but explained the Metropolitan Park construction will guarantee minimum disruption and seamless experiences for fans as well as the local community.
The project was also at risk of hitting a legal roadblock when the United States Tennis Association expressed its concerns regarding parking rights during the US Open, a dispute that was resolved once lease terms were properly updated.
Other casino licenses went to Resorts World New York City and Bally’s Corporation, which is planning a separate project in the Bronx.
Metropolitan Park is expected to open in 2030. When it does, the area around Citi Field will look very different, with new buildings, green space, and parking garages replacing what is now a sea of asphalt.
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