Metropolitan Park plans skirting Citi Field

Article posted by Coliseum, December 11^th, 2023

Image: Metropolitan Park

The area around the Citi Field in New York (US) will look very different in the future if the Major League Baseball (MLB) team New York Mets owner and billionaire Steve Cohen gets his way.

‘NBC New York’ stated that Cohen announced plans recently for a new development on the 50 acres of asphalt around the ballpark. The project, known as the Metropolitan Park, will include 20 acres of new public park space and an additional five acres of athletic fields and playgrounds.

The 41,800-capacity Citi Field is a baseball stadium located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, in the borough of Queens, New York City, United States. Opening in 2009, the Citi Field is the home ballpark of the Major League Baseball’s (MLB’s) New York Mets.

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The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens (US). The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League East division. They are one of two major league clubs based in New York City, the other being the American League’s New York Yankees.

‘NBC New York’ further stated that the Queens Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the proposal, which could put an estimated 15,000 people to work.

The development also includes a food hall, tailgate space, bars and restaurants, conference spaces, and bike paths.

One of the key pieces of the project is a Hard Rock hotel, which will include a live music venue and gaming.

Said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International, in a statement, “The Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park will be rooted in the spirit of music while embracing the unique culture and character of Queens. The Metropolitan Park captures the energy and vision of bringing people together for memorable shared experiences …”

Davie (US)-based Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 265 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes.

The prospect of a full-fledged casino Downstate New York has a lot of people betting big.

Last year, at least four groups wanted a casino, as part of a process that started in January 2023. The number of bids is now expected to be 11. However, the State Gaming Commission is only planning to issue three casino licenses in New York City, on Long Island, or in Westchester County.

The goal at Metropolitan Park is to build a casino and sportsbook, but for that the Gaming Commission license is needed.

Stated Tom Grech, President and head honcho of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, “We will see, I think the other sites outside of Queens are not ideal and we [are] very bullish on both proposals for the Queens County.”

The State Gaming Commission is still months away from making the final decision on where those three licenses will go.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization that assists businesses in Queens, New York.

The New York State Gaming Commission is the official governing body that oversees casino gaming, charitable gaming, horse racing, lottery, and video lottery terminals in New York State. Based in Schenectady (City in New York State), it was formed on February 1^st, 2013, upon the merger of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and the New York Lottery.

Cohen said in a statement, “It’s time the world’s greatest City got the sports and entertainment park it deserves. When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better. The 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 Metropolitan Park’s leaders cite 15 community workshops that were held to seek ideas on how to best develop the area around the Citi Field, which has two million fans visiting every year.

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