Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal
Rendering courtesy of SHoP Architects, Field Operations
Here’s a first look at New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposed $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field. Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen last week released renderings for “Metropolitan Park,” a sports and entertainment complex with a public park, hotel, live music venue, restaurants, and a casino planned for 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field. Cohen is one of several developers vying for one of the three casino licenses set to be issued in downstate New York.
The proposal envisions transforming the 50-acre area next to Citi Field into an “economic engine” with 23,000 union jobs, 25 acres of new public park space, improved public transit, live music, a Queens Food Hall, and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino featuring bars, restaurants, and more.
“We are very proud to present New Yorkers with the visualization of what’s possible for a world-class city and its surrounding neighborhoods,” Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, said.
“We’d like to thank our partners for working with us to create something truly transformative. We take great pride and the utmost care in bringing forth something that will create much-needed jobs and memories that will live on for generations to come.”
SHoP Architects and Field Operations are designing 20 acres of new public park space and five acres of community athletic fields and playgrounds, which is “more new parkland than Bryant Park, the High Line, and Union Square Park combined,” according to a press release. The design will pay tribute to the history and architecture of the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, along with the history of the New York Mets.
“It’s time the world’s greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves,” Cohen said. “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.”
The project also includes enhancements to public infrastructure and transportation, including expanding waterfront access, increasing walkability and cycling access, and expanding public transit options.
A multi-million dollar investment in infrastructure improvements includes revitalizing the Mets-Willets Point 7 Train station and creating a more welcoming and accessible entrance to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Citi Field, and Willets Point.
The proposed Metropolitan Park sits across from the Willets Point development, which will be home to the city’s first professional soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club. The City Council voted to approve the project in April.
Cohen’s battle to secure a license may be tougher than other applicants. In addition to a license, he would need to gain state authorization to build on the Citi Field parking lot, which is city-owned and state-regulated, as 6sqft previously noted.
As The City reported, the parking lot is technically parkland as part of the 1939 creation of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and requires the state to “alienate” the site to allow for construction. A bill introduced in the State Assembly would do this, but State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the neighborhood and recently announced a run for mayor, said in May that she would not introduce a parkland alienation bill.
“We want investment and opportunity, we are desperate for green space, and recreation for the whole family,” Ramos told the New York Times. “We disagree on the premise that we have to accept a casino in our backyard as the trade-off.”
RELATED:
