New York Construction Report staff writer
The New York State Gaming Commission voted to award a gaming license to Metropolitan Park, the $8.1 billion sports and entertainment district proposed by Hard Rock International, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, and partners, clearing the way for a major redevelopment around Citi Field in Queens.
The project will transform 50 acres of asphalt surrounding the ballpark into a mixed-use destination featuring entertainment, dining, and cultural amenities, while creating 25 acres of new public park space, 23,000 union jobs, and more than $1.75 billion in community benefits and infrastructure improvements.
“Since the day I bought the team, the community and Mets fans have made it clear to me that we can and should do better with the area around the ballpark,” said Cohen. “Now, we are going to be able to deliver the sports and entertainment district that our fans have been asking for.”
The ownership team also includes McKissack & McKissack, the nation’s oldest minority- and woman-owned professional design and construction firm, and Siebert Williams Shank & Co., a minority- and woman-owned investment bank. Leaders of both organizations highlighted the project’s commitment to community engagement and support for minority- and women-owned businesses.
Metropolitan Park is the result of more than three years of community engagement, including 16 public workshops, more than 1,000 stakeholder meetings, and nearly 45,000 door-to-door contacts. The plan received approvals from six of six Community Boards, unanimous endorsement by the Community Advisory Committee, and subsequent approvals from the Borough president, City Planning Commission, City Council, and State Legislature.
“Metropolitan Park will transform asphalt parking into a year-round destination for fans and the community,” said Cheryl McKissack Daniel, president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack. “As a family-owned business, we believe the most impactful projects are rooted in community, and Metropolitan Park reflects the neighborhoods it serves.”
The project marks one of the largest private investments in Queens in decades and is expected to reshape the area around Citi Field into a major hub for entertainment, jobs, and public space.
