Beyond the Casino: Unpacking the $8B Metropolitan Park Entertainment Complex in NYC

In the high-stakes race for one of New York’s limited downstate casino licenses, the $8 billion Metropolitan Park project stands as a bold and contentious vision for the future of Queens. Backed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and gaming giant Hard Rock International, the proposal aims to transform a 50-acre parking lot adjacent to Citi Field into a sprawling entertainment complex. While recent unanimous approval from its local Community Advisory Committee (CAC) moved it forward, the competitive dynamics of the race have shifted dramatically.

A new landscape for a long-standing proposal

The Metropolitan Park proposal, which unveiled its initial renderings on September 25, 2024, has always been defined by its grand scale and promise of comprehensive redevelopment. Beyond the casino and hotel, Metropolitan Park envisions a new convention center, live music venues, retail shops, and a 25-acre public park with athletic fields. The project also includes critical infrastructure upgrades, such as significant improvements to the Mets-Willets Point subway station. For supporters like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., the proposal represents a vital opportunity for economic development and job creation, transforming a barren parking lot into a year-round destination.

Latest Approval

The latest significant approval for the Metropolitan Park casino proposal occurred on September 30, 2025, when it received unanimous approval from its local Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

The unexpected turn of events

However, the competition for a license has intensified following two major developments in mid-October 2025. On October 14, MGM Resorts abruptly withdrew its Yonkers bid, citing a shorter-than-expected 15-year license term and increased competition. The next day, Resorts World New York City submitted a supplemental $7.5 billion bid, building on its existing operation at Aqueduct Racetrack and positioning itself as a “shovel-ready” option with a promised 2026 opening.

This sequence of events significantly alters the calculus for the Metropolitan Park project. MGM’s departure removes a powerful competitor, yet Resorts World’s aggressive, expanded, and rapid-to-market proposal adds new pressure. This leaves the Metropolitan Park and Bally’s (Bronx) projects competing for a more limited number of licenses and potentially pushing their own deadlines. The speed of development and the economic benefits that can be delivered quickly are now even more prominent factors for the state’s licensing board to consider.

The enduring debate

Despite the changing market, the fundamental debate around Metropolitan Park remains the same. A central point of contention is the casino’s location on what is technically state-owned parkland. Despite the State Assembly and Senate passing legislation to allow for the alienation of this parkland, the bill’s final approval is still required. Opponents raise moral objections to gambling, citing its potential to prey on vulnerable communities, particularly the immigrant working-class residents in the nearby neighborhoods of Flushing and Corona. The environmental impact on a flood-prone area along Flushing Bay is another factor drawing scrutiny. These critiques emphasize a fundamental philosophical split: is the project a genuine community asset or a profit-driven venture that could negatively burden local neighborhoods?

What’s next for Metropolitan Park?

As the Metropolitan Park proposal moves toward a final decision from the New York State Gaming Commission, its legacy will likely be shaped by both the ongoing debate and this new, more competitive landscape. Regardless of the outcome, the project has already sparked a critical conversation about land use, economic development, and community identity in one of New York City’s most diverse boroughs. The future of the Mets’ parking lot is more than a simple land-use question; it is a test of competing visions for Queens itself.