The $8 billion Metropolitan Park development — a joint effort between New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International — has moved a step closer to reality, with updated filings showing it could deliver more than $33 billion in tax revenue over the next three decades.
The team submitted an additional application to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board ahead of the October 14 deadline, reaffirming its vision to transform the parking lots surrounding Citi Field into one of New York’s largest entertainment and leisure destinations.
Massive Job Creation and Economic Impact
According to the latest projections, the project will create around 17,000 direct construction jobs and 25,000 indirect positions, generating more than 40,000 total employment opportunities over its development and operation phases. Once open, the complex will sustain about 6,000 permanent jobs, with thousands more supported through local supply chains and services.
Spanning 50 acres, the Metropolitan Park plan includes a 25-acre public park, a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a “Taste of Queens” food hall highlighting local vendors, retail spaces, and major infrastructure upgrades. These include redesigned access roads, new pedestrian and cycling routes, and improvements to the Willets Point subway station.
The group has proposed paying a $500 million casino license fee upfront, with slot revenues taxed at 25% and table games at 10%. Once the casino is fully operational, it is expected to generate $3.9 billion in annual revenue, translating into approximately $850 million in yearly tax contributions to the state and city.
Community Support and Path to Approval
Hard Rock International said the goal is to create a “world-class destination” for Queens and confirmed construction could begin immediately if a casino license is granted in December. The casino floor would feature 5,000 slot machines, 375 table games, 30 poker tables, and an 18,000-square-foot sportsbook, positioning it among the largest in the region.
The developers have spent the past four years engaging with local communities, hosting 16 public meetings and consultations with tens of thousands of residents. The proposal has now secured support from all six nearby community boards and the Community Advisory Committee, signaling widespread local approval.
Earlier this year, both the City Council and state legislature voted to rezone the Citi Field parking area — previously classified as parkland — clearing the way for commercial development. With MGM Resorts withdrawing from the race for a New York downstate casino license, the competition now narrows to three contenders: Metropolitan Park, Resorts World in South Ozone Park, and Bally’s in the Bronx.
The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to announce the winning bids by the end of 2025, with the Queens project positioned as one of the strongest candidates given its scale, community support, and projected economic returns.
Source: Gambling News