Metropolitan Park Casino Project Near Citi Field Advances: What To Know

NEW YORK CITY — A $8 billion proposed casino and entertainment venue next to Citi Field in Queens has been unanimously approved by a community advisory committee on Tuesday.

Metropolitan Park, backed by New York Mets owner Steven Cohen and Hard Rock International, would be built on 50 acres of existing Citi Field parking lots and include a Hard Rock resort and casino, a 25-acre public park, as well as new retail stores and restaurants.

In addition, the project would include a redevelopment of the Mets-Willets Point subway station, according to officials.

Metropolitan Park was the last casino proposal to receive approval and becomes the fourth casino bid to go in front of the State Gaming Commission this December.

On Monday, a local advisory committee voted in favor to approve Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point Park, the site of a golf course once operated by the Trump Organization.

Another advisory committee also rejected a casino proposal on Monday, The Coney, a project eyed on the Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn.

Last week, a community advisory council unanimous approved a casino proposal on the site of Resorts World New York City in Southeast Queens. Also, A casino bid in Yonkers was approved.

On Sept. 22, a community advisory committee rejected a proposed casino on the East Side of Manhattan near the United Nations.

It’s the third casino proposal to be rejected in Manhattan. A Caesars Palace casino in Times Square and The Avenir on 41st Street have also been turn down.

Supporters of the casino bid have said the project would bring in 23,000 union jobs with an estimated $1 billion in community benefits.

The future of the project is dependent on securing one of the three downstate casino licenses, officials said.