New York City Council gives green light to the construction of Hard Rock Casino and Hotel
In the Heart of the Concrete Jungle: The $8 Billion Metropolitan Park Casino Project Sees Daylight**By Yannick Schroth, Edited by Angela Burke, Published on: 17.03.2025. Updated on: 24.04.2025.**
- NYC Council gives thumbs up to Hard Rock and Mets owner's casino project.
- The project involves a casino, Hard Rock Hotel, and a 25-hectare park.
- State license is still pending.
The Big Apple might soon host a new Hard Rock Casino. © Lukas Kloeppel/Pexels
City Council at Odds – Thumbs Up for Billion-Dollar Project
Alright, here's the lowdown. The New York City Council, according to sources such as Yogonet, has thrown its support behind the Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International led casino resort, "Metropolitan Park." With a whopping 41 out of 43 council members voting in favor, it seems this whopping $8 billion project is on its way. The location? That dirt patch near the Citi Field Stadium in Queens.
But hold your beer, partner. This project ain't a done deal yet. You see, we've got more paddlin' to do on the state level. That's right – besides the City Council's blessings, we need those state bigwigs to give the green light as well.
The next stepping stone in this wild and winding approval process is the granting of one of the three highly coveted casino licenses from the New York Gaming Commission. Looks like those racinos, and I'm talking casinos at horse racing tracks, like Resorts World New York City, are hoping to snag two of those.
That leaves only one casino license available, and Hard Rock International and a few other risk-taking developers, including the likes of Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands, are angling for it. The New York Gaming Commission is set to make a decision by the end of the year.
Economic Boom – Local Love for the Project
Most folks in Queens seem pretty pumped about this project, opinions indicated by polls that show up to 80% of local residents in favor. So, what's the big draw? There are a couple of reasons:
- Union Jobs: The project promises 23,000 unionized work positions. Not too shabby, huh?
- Infrastructure Boost: Hey, improvements to public transportation like the upgrade of the Mets-Willets Point subway station, and some investments in infrastructure are in the cards.
- Promised Developments: With additions like a casino, hotel, live music venue, eateries, retail spaces, and convention centers in the plans, the locale's gonna be hopping!
"This ain't just about building a sports and entertainment park, my friend. With 100% unionized jobs, reinvestment in the community, and an economic kick in the butt that'll make this neighborhood shine brighter than a Times Square neon sign, take my money!" – Francisco Moya, Council Member
But not everyone's on board. Some have concerns that two casinos in the Queens neighborhood might not be the most economically viable situation. Why? They reckon that only one casino out of two could survive.
State Level - Green Light or Red Light?
As the site is officially designated as parkland, the state leggos got to pass a legal amendment to let the bulldozers roll. Although there are some state reps who backing this alienation bill, there are still a few holdouts who adamantly oppose it. According to the Queens Daily Eagle, these folks think that turning parkland into casino grounds ain't right.
Gaming Industry on the Rise in New York
Get ready, folks, 'cause it seems New York ain't messing around when it comes to upping its casino game. Plans to issue up to three fresh casino licenses, and the industry's about to see a massive transformation. Investors and operators are tossing their hats in the ring and going for broke, hoping to snag a piece of the billion-dollar pie.
But why all this hullabaloo about casinos now? Simple:
- Boosting the State's Treasury: The state's expecting a boatload of extra cash from these new casinos, dough that'll be put to good use on projects like infrastructure, education, social programs, and whatnot.
- Competition's Heating Up: Other states, like neighboring New Jersey, are loosening up their gambling laws, luring players from New York. The state wants to focus on keeping casino dollars within its borders instead of letting those Benjamins flow into other states.
- Economic Stimulus: In addition to casino earnings, local businesses are expected to capitalize as well. Devil's in the details, though: regulations require casino operators to work with regional providers.
- Labor Market and City Development: With plans for large-scale projects in the works, watch for thousands of new jobs in construction and later in operation. Infrastructure improvements, like beefing up transportation routes and public spaces, are all part of the scheme.
Moreover, the project needs to garner a two-thirds majority in a regional advisory group before it can move forward. If it skirts these hurdles, the Metropolitan Park project could become one of the biggest casino and entertainment complexes in the country.
Sources:
- Metropolitan Park Casino approval gets crucial city council support in Queens
- Queens Daily Eagle
- State Senator John Liu supports Metropolitan Park casino bill in Queens
- NY Post: Queens residents excited about Metropolitan Park casino project
- Hudson Yards – New York's $25 Billion Gamble
Enrichment Data:The Metropolitan Park casino project, put forth by Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, has earned substantial support from the New York City Council. Here's a quick rundown of its journey and the challenges ahead:
Approval by NYC Council
- Steve Cohen Bill Passage: A bill to support the Metropolitan Park alienation bill, if Cohen secures a casino license, passed with 41 out of 43 council members voting in favor.
- Project Overview: Cohen's proposed project encompasses a casino, Hard Rock Hotel, live music venue, restaurants, retail spaces, convention center, open space, public transportation improvements, and the modernization of the Mets-Willets Point subway station.
- City Approval: Metropolitan Park completed its Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), securing necessary zoning approvals.
Remaining Hurdles
- State Legislation: The alienation bill requires state legislative approval to allow construction on parkland. Progress has been made thanks to Senator John Liu's support; however, final passage is still pending.
- State Casino License: Applications for New York State casino licenses are due in June, and Metropolitan Park must secure one of three available downstate licenses to move forward. The race is competitive, with other projects such as Hudson Yards in the running.
- Community Opposition: Despite overall support, local opposition to the casino may still surface. Senator Jessica Ramos previously declined support due to constituent objections.
- "What about the state's decision on the casino license for the Metropolitan Park project?"
- "Despite the New York City Council's approval, the success of the Metropolitan Park casino project relies on the endorsement of a state license."
- "The Metropolitan Park casino project could attract substantial finance from the gambling and casino industry, impacting both the city's lifestyle and general news."
- "The $8 billion casino-and-gambling development, named the Metropolitan Park, is located near the Citi Field Stadium in Queens."
- "The overall approval process for the Metropolitan Park casino project includes receiving a state casino license and passing a legal amendment for the construction on parkland."
