Metropolitan Park (Queens)

Metropolitan Park

Location	Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, New York City
Coordinates	40°45′20″N73°50′53″W / 40.75556°N 73.84806°W / 40.75556; -73.84806
Use	Mixed-use development
Website	www.metropolitanpark.com
Companies
Owner	Queens Future, LLC
Technical details
Leasable area	50 acres (0.20 km2)
Proposed	November 7, 2023

Metropolitan Park is a proposed park and entertainment complex in the New York City borough of Queens. The proposed site is located at the parking lots adjacent to Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). The project is being undertaken by Queens Future, LLC, a joint venture between Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock Entertainment. ^[1]

History

Attractions and geographical features of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

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Attractions and geographical features of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park:

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Citi Field

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Etihad Park (under construction)

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Flushing Meadows Carousel and Queens Zoo

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Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center

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Flushing River and Creek

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Meadow Lake

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Mets–Willets Point (LIRR and subway stations)

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National Tennis Center and United States Pavilion (demolished)

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New York Hall of Science

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New York State Pavilion and Queens Theatre

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Queens Botanical Garden

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Queens Museum

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Queens Night Market

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Shea Stadium (demolished) and Metropolitan Park (proposed)

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Terrace on the Park

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Unisphere

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Willow Lake

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World's Fair station (demolished)

In October 2013, the New York City Council approved a plan to build a mall and entertainment center called Willets West in the Citi Field parking lot where Shea Stadium stood, as part of an effort by the city to redevelop the nearby neighborhood of Willets Point. ^{[2] [3]} However, in 2015, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court ruled that the site, considered parkland, could not be used for commercial development without permission from the New York state government. ^[4]

In 2022, Mets owner Steve Cohen began pushing to build a casino in the parking lot, which was supported by New York City mayor Eric Adams, but still needs final approval from the New York state government. ^[5] In November 2023, Cohen unveiled a proposal to build an $8 billion, 50-acre casino and entertainment complex in the parking lot, called Metropolitan Park, which would include a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, restaurants, bars, and a live music venue as well as public park space, community athletic fields, and playgrounds. ^[6]

New York state senator Jessica Ramos, who represents New York's 13th State Senate district where the site is located, announced her intention to formally oppose the construction of the casino and entertainment complex in May 2024. ^{[7] [8]} In March 2025, the New York City Council voted in favor of modifications in zoning regulations for the site, the penultimate step of the city's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). In May 2025, over the objections of Ramos, a parkland alienation bill sponsored by neighboring state senator John Liu which reclassified the site as commercial property passed the New York State Senate, clearing the way for casino construction to begin. ^[9]

The construction of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park hinges on the project winning one of the three downstate casino licenses from the New York State Gaming Commission. ^[10]

See also

• Ballpark Village (St. Louis) - a similar mixed-use development adjacent to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals
• The Battery Atlanta - a similar mixed-use development adjacent to Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves
• Hellinikon Metropolitan Park - a similar park which will feature a Hard Rock themed casino-hotel

References

1. "Metropolitan Park - Committee Meeting Presentation" (PDF). NYC.gov. April 28, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
2. "Neighbors Protest Plan For Mall In Citi Field Parking Lot". CBS New York . July 10, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
3. "City Council Approves Sweeping Redevelopment Plan For Willets Point". CBS New York . October 9, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
4. Dunlap, David W. (July 8, 2015). "De Blasio's Dilemma: Fight for a Mall Near Citi Field or Disavow It". The New York Times . Retrieved July 9, 2015.
5. Honan, Katie (April 5, 2022). "Adams Open to Mets Owner Steve Cohen's Pitch for Citi Field Casino and Willets Point Makeover". The City . Retrieved January 11, 2023.
6. Flanigan, John (November 7, 2023). "Mets owner Steve Cohen unveils $8 billion proposal to build up area around Citi Field". SNY . Retrieved November 7, 2023.
7. Venugopal, Arun (May 28, 2024). "Key Queens lawmaker says she will formally oppose Citi Field-area casino". Gothamist . Retrieved May 28, 2024.
8. Schactman, Noah (May 28, 2024). "New Jackpot City". New York . Retrieved May 30, 2024.
9. Jefferson, Austin C. (May 27, 2025). "Parkland alienation bill passes Senate, potentially paving way for Cohen's casino". City & State . Retrieved June 11, 2025.
10. O'Brien, Shane (March 12, 2025). "City Council votes overwhelmingly in favor of $8B Metropolitan Park casino zoning changes". QNS.com. Retrieved March 13, 2025.

External links

• Official website