The City Council has approved New York Mets owner Steve Cohen's ambitious plan to transform the Citi Field parking lot into a vibrant casino and entertainment complex.
Although the proposed site is currently a parking lot, it is legally designated as city parkland. This means zoning text and city map amendments must be approved before the project can move forward.
The council approved the project by a 41-2 vote, with three members abstaining. Hard Rock International is partnering with Cohen on this $8 billion venture, which promises to bring a casino, hotels, a live music venue, a food hall, and 25 acres of park space to Queens.
This vote enables Cohen’s team to move forward with necessary zoning changes. However, the project still faces hurdles before it can officially break ground.
Citi Field Casino Project Has Long Way To Go
Approval is also needed from various local and state entities, and most crucially, Cohen must obtain one of the highly sought-after casino licenses.
The State Gaming Commission is expected to grant these licenses to three downstate bidders by the end of the year.
Cohen is not alone in this race; he's up against approximately a dozen other developers with eyes on sites in Manhattan, the Bronx, Long Island, Yonkers, and Queens.
Despite these challenges, the council's decision marks a positive step forward for Metropolitan Park, a project that has been working through complex state-level land use regulations. Steve Cohen remains optimistic. “From the very beginning, we have been focused on creating something the community can truly be proud of,” Cohen remarked. “It’s time the world’s greatest borough gets the investment it deserves.”
As the competition for casino licenses heats up, all eyes are on the city's gaming landscape, eagerly awaiting the transformation that projects like Metropolitan Park will bring.
11 Proposals for NY Downstate Casino Licenses
Over the past two years, real estate developers and gambling executives have devoted significant effort to developing multibillion-dollar casino proposals for New York City.
Currently, 11 major projects are vying for up to three downstate casino licenses. State officials are anticipated to make their decision by the end of the year, amid intensifying competition to reshape the city's gaming landscape.
Beyond Cohen’s project, proposals include a casino and resort at Nassau Coliseum, another at Hudson Yards, Caesars Palace Times Square, and a bid from Resorts World New York City.
According to a report in the Queens Daily Eagle, Resorts World is a leading contender for one of the three casino licenses, thanks to its established racino operations and reputation as a good neighbor in the borough, according to several elected officials.
Casino bid applications are due by June 27, 2025, per the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board timeline. Community Advisory Committees, which include elected officials from the affected areas, will review these bids and vote to approve or reject them.
