Jun. 27, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The team behind Metropolitan Park – led by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International – has officially submitted an application to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for one of three downstate gaming licenses. The application, which came ahead of Friday’s deadline…
May. 30, 2025 By Shane O’Brien State Sen. Jessica Ramos expressed her disappointment following the State Senate’s approval of parkland alienation legislation for the $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino project earlier this week. Ramos was one of only five lawmakers to vote against the bill during Tuesday’s Senate session, where 54 senators voted in…
May. 27, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The New York State Senate has voted overwhelmingly in favor of legislation that would allow Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International to transform 50 acres of Citi Field parking lot into Metropolitan Park, an $8 billion entertainment complex anchored by a casino. On Tuesday, lawmakers voted…
May. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allen addressed hundreds of Queens-based vendors and small business owners Thursday morning at the Queens Theatre, outlining how they could play a key role in shaping the proposed $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field—if the project…
Apr. 7, 2025 By Shane O’Brien As the termed-out Francisco Moya prepares to leave office in Council District 21, a slew of candidates have lined up to replace him in one of the most hotly-contested districts in the upcoming City Council elections. Erycka Montoya, a staffer for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, has touted her…
Apr. 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The team behind the proposed $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino project has announced a new partnership aiming to create hundreds of long-term affordable housing in Corona. Queens Future, an LLC formed as part of Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International’s push for the Metropolitan Park casino…
Apr. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A coalition of community groups in Elmhurst, Flushing, Jackson Heights and Corona has criticized State Sen. John Liu for announcing his plans to introduce a parkland alienation bill in the State Senate that brings the $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino project closer to reality. Liu announced Sunday that…
Mar. 31, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon and QNS News Team New York State Senator John Liu hailed an ambitious park project near Citi Field as a “home run” for Queens on Sunday, announcing plans to introduce legislation that would clear the way for the Metropolitan Park casino development. The proposed project would transform the…
Mar. 26, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Sandro Navarro, district director for State Sen. Jessica Ramos and one of six Democratic candidates seeking to replace term-limited Council Member Francisco Moya, has unveiled a platform focused on education, public space improvements, and housing protections as part of his campaign for City Council District 21. District 21…
Mar. 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The City Council has voted overwhelmingly in favor of modifications to zoning regulations for the planned $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino development adjacent to Citi Field in Flushing. The City Council voted 41-2 in favor of the proposal, a planned development by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock…