Metropolitan Park, the $8 billion pitch from Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock to transform the area around Citi Field into a gaming and resort complex, unanimously passed a key committee vote on Tuesday that sends it to the final round of the state casino license contest.
The 6-0 vote by a Community Advisory Committee of local stakeholders confirms the project as a frontrunner in the race to secure one of up to three lucrative downstate casino licenses on offer from New York State.
It joins three other proposals that survived from an initial pool of eight. Resorts World in Jamaica and Empire City in Yonkers, both established racinos, advanced last week and are seen as likely contenders, while the Bally’s Bronx application was approved on Monday.
Tuesday’s vote is a victory for Cohen that comes just a day after he had to apologize for the Mets missing out on the postseason.
“The Community Advisory Committee’s unanimous approval underscores the deep and broad community support behind Metropolitan Park,” project spokesperson Karl Rickett said in a statement. “We are grateful for the opportunity to move forward in this process and be one step closer to making Metropolitan Park’s community-first vision a reality.”
Cohen’s plan involves turning 50 acres of parking around Citi Field into a massive entertainment hub with a casino, plus public green space, a hotel, food market and 450 units of affordable housing.
The surrounding Willets Point neighborhood is already on the cusp of transformation and will soon be home to new streets, a new school, thousands of apartments and the city’s first soccer stadium.
Metropolitan Park is considered a strong contender thanks to Cohen’s lobbying efforts and the support of elected officials including the local council member and borough president, both of whom voted for the application on Tuesday. It would generate a projected $850 million in annual economic impact.
“This is truly a historic moment for the world’s borough,” Queens beep Donovan Richards said. “While the Mets might not make the playoffs, I think we can consider this a home run for Citi Field and for Queens.”
But Metropolitan Park has also faced pushback from other locals, including State Sen. Jessica Ramos, whose opposition nearly derailed the plan. A study earlier this year found that upwards of 50,000 renters in neighboring Corona and Flushing could ultimately be displaced by a casino.
Mayor Eric Adams has been a proponent of casinos, touting their potential as cash cows. His office applauded Tuesday’s yes vote.
“Since the start of this administration, Mayor Adams has been clear and consistent that he does not have a preference on where a casino is built in New York City — just that he supports a competitive process where every proposal in the five boroughs has a fair shot in the state’s process,” spokesperson William Fowler said in a statement.
Metropolitan Park and the three other applicants now await a verdict from the state Gaming Facility Location Board. Their final decision is expected by Dec. 1 and any licenses will be issued by Dec. 31.
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