Citi Field Casino Proposal Moves to City Council After Planning Approval

NEW YORK, N.Y. — New York Mets owner Steve Cohen‘s ambitious $8 billion plan to establish a casino at Citi Field‘s parking lot has received a crucial endorsement from the City Planning Commission and is set to advance to the City Council for a vote. The project, named Metropolitan Park, was approved by nine of the eleven present commission members during a recent meeting.

While one member abstained and Juan Osorio voted against the proposal – citing pending environmental studies – the project aims to create a multifaceted development that includes a casino, hotels, a live music venue, a food hall, and public park space all on the existing 50-acre parking area.

Now heading to the City Council for further consideration, Metropolitan Park has garnered significant local support. Local Councilmember Francisco Moya, a strong advocate for the project, asserts that it would deliver substantial economic benefits to the community. “This project is a positive and transformative economic boon for our community and city,” Moya stated last year.

However, despite the positive momentum at the city level, crucial state approvals remain. Cohen and his partner, Hard Rock, are vying for one of three downstate casino licenses that the New York State Gaming Commission will allocate by the end of the year. Cohen has maintained that he would not proceed with the project unless a gaming license is secured.

“There are currently around a dozen other competitors bidding for the license,” explained an industry expert, referencing Resorts World New York City among the challengers. Additionally, Cohen will need to address a significant hurdle: the land’s current designation as parkland, which prohibits the construction of facilities that do not serve a clear public good.

To navigate this obstacle, state lawmakers must pass a “parkland alienation bill,” which would grant Cohen the necessary permissions to advance his plans. Freshman assemblymember Larinda Hooks has expressed her support for the proposal, while her Senate counterpart, Jessica Ramos, has emerged as a vocal opponent, having declined to advocate for the alienation bill last year.

“With the City Planning Commission vote, Metropolitan Park moves one step closer to becoming a reality, delivering more than 23,000 union jobs and $1 billion in community benefits,” said Karl Rickett, a spokesperson for the project. The proposal promises a significant transformation of the area surrounding Citi Field.

The proposed development plan allocates around 65 percent of the space for parking, distributed through various garages, while the casino and related facilities will occupy about 33 percent of the project area. The remaining 20 acres are designated for open space.

The project expects to create around 23,000 jobs, comprising 16,300 temporary construction positions and 6,700 permanent roles. Additionally, Cohen has pledged to enhance the Mets-Willets Point 7 train station to facilitate access to Metropolitan Park, pending approval from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Community support for Metropolitan Park has been prominent, with all five relevant community boards favoring the proposal in recent votes. Board 7 supported it with a 36 to 4 vote, while others, including Boards 6, 8, 9, and 3, overwhelmingly endorsed the project.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, whose approval was anticipated, commented on the proposal’s community benefits despite potential economic concerns surrounding casino developments. “However, the applicant team has done a commendable job of creating a plan that would enrich local constituents’ lives,” Richards noted.

Richards, who also supports Resorts World’s expansion project, has expressed commitment to ensuring that the developers deliver on their promises. “As borough president, I will work tirelessly to see that these commitments come to fruition,” he emphasized.

The path ahead for Metropolitan Park is not without competition. Wynn Resorts and Related Companies are proposing a casino in Hudson Yards, though the plan has faced skepticism from local officials, including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.