Mets owner Steve Cohen has revealed fresh renderings of his proposed lavish new entertainment complex around Citi Field in Queens.
Cohen, the billionaire hedge fund manager who purchased the Mets in 2020, has joined Hard Rock Entertainment in trying to covert a Citi Field parking lot into a sprawling $8 million gaming center, hotel and music venue dubbed “Metropolitan Park” after the team’s full corporate name.
The proposed entertainment playground would offer 20 acres of green space, 5 acres of athletic fields and playgrounds and access to Flushing Bay and Flushing-Corona Park.
The plan also looks to improve mass transit, road networks and parking and projects 15,000 permanent and construction jobs in the coming years.
Cohen has not yet received approval from key lawmakers — particularly state Sen. Jessica Ramos whose district includes Willets Point and the neighborhoods around it — to use the land as a casino entertainment complex. It is currently zoned as park land.
He also needs the support of Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass a law allowing commercial development there.
The casino plan requires approval from state gaming regulators, too.
Under current law, state officials can issue up to three new casino licenses in the downstate region, including New York City.
Gaming giants and real-estate honchos are creating stiff competition for Cohen as they are putting all their chips on the table to win one of three coveted licenses.
Developers and casino operators have joined forces with proposals to build a casino in Times Square, Hudson Yards, Coney Island and possibly Ferry Point in The Bronx, where gaming operator Bally’s replaced the Trump Organization as operator of the golf course.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
