Queens Councilman Francisco Moya has endorsed New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s $8 billion bid for one of New York’s downstate casino licenses. Cohen’s plan would transform parking space at the Mets’ Citi Field ballpark into a gaming, entertainment and recreational attraction dubbed Metropolitan Park.
“I wholeheartedly believe that Metropolitan Park is in Queens’ and New York City’s best interest,” Moya, who represents the communities surrounding the site, said in a statement.
“I am committed to advancing a New York City Council home rule message for the State to authorize the City of New York to seize this opportunity, by permitting additional uses on this land to facilitate the sports, entertainment, and recreational park.”
The project would cover 20 acres of current parking area at the Citi Field ballpark. The surrounding property is home to Flushing Corona Park, the U.S. Open Tennis Center, and a planned soccer stadium for New York City FC, which is backed by Mayor Eric Adams.
The project would include a Hard Rock casino, a hotel and a music venue, plus 25 acres of green space, athletic fields, bike paths, and access to Flushing Bay. The project also would include a “Taste of Queens Food Hall,” a concert venue, and improvement of the transit facilities surrounding the area to the tune of $1 billion.
Cohen has said he will offer a community benefits package with the project, with support for responsible gaming and improvement of youth and senior services, including $10 million for a health clinic in East Elmhurst, $10 million for a youth and senior center in Corona, and $5 million for addiction and mental health services in Flushing.
“If we fail to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Moya, “we ensure that the area around Citi Field remains underutilized parking lots for the foreseeable future, and we permanently stymie the future growth potential of Queens. Let’s not allow that to happen. I look forward to supporting this historic project and making Metropolitan Park a reality.”
