Hard Rock International and NY Mets Owner Steve Cohen Unveil Visionary Renderings of Metropolitan Park

QUEENS, N.Y., Sept. 25, 2024 /JamNewsWire/ — New renderings of Metropolitan Park, the partnership between Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, give New Yorkers a look of what turning empty parking lots into 25 acres of new public park will actually feel like. The $8 billion privately funded project is now moving forward with ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) New York City’s process for public approval of the development. The design and the layout were informed over three years of community engagement by Cohen and his partners with local residents, small businesses, Mets fans, and Queens community leaders to transform the area.

Metropolitan Park is a once in a life-time opportunity to transform the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into an economic engine that will create 23,000 competitive-paying union jobs. This reimagined space will bring together neighbors, fans and visitors to enjoy 25 acres of new public park space, improved public transportation and climate infrastructure, live music, a Queens Food Hall and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with bars, restaurants and a sportsbook.

“We are very proud to present New Yorkers with the visualization of what’s possible for a world-class city and its surrounding neighborhoods,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International. “We’d like to thank our partners for working with us to create something truly transformative. We take great pride and the utmost care in bringing forth something that will create much needed jobs and memories that will live on for generations to come.”

“It’s time the world’s greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves,” said New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. “When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better. Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of.”

Community First Vision

The 25 acre park’s design, by the local team of SHoP Architects (Domino Park) and Field Ops (The High Line, Domino Park), integrates input, ideas, and feedback collected from 15 community workshops, hundreds of meetings with local leaders, and over 20,000 door-to-door conversations with our neighbors. At the same time, it pays homage to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park’s iconic World’s Fair history and architecture, and the storied history of the Mets, Shea Stadium, and Citi Field. 

Transforming Asphalt to 25 Acres of Public Park

Parks and public space are essential to any community, and Citi Field shouldn’t be an exception. Metropolitan Park will have 20 acres of new public park space and 5 acres of community athletic fields and playgrounds. This represents more new park and community space than Bryant Park, the High Line, and Union Square Park combined.

Investing in Public Infrastructure and Transportation

Metropolitan Park is an opportunity to connect the surrounding neighborhoods, expand waterfront access, increase walkability and cycling access, and improve transportation options in ways that will benefit the entire community. A multi-million investment in public infrastructure improvements, including transforming the Mets-Willets Point 7 Train station, will create a welcoming, accessible entrance to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park as well as Citi Field and Willets Point.

To download high resolution renderings: https://www.metropolitanpark.com/images

About Metropolitan Park:

• An investment of $8 billion
• Over 23,000 good-paying permanent and construction jobs
• 20 acres of new public park space and 5 acres of community athletic fields and playgrounds.
• Climate-ready infrastructure including solar, green roofs, and flood mitigation
• New connections to the waterfront, park, and surrounding community
• Over $1 billion in dedicated community benefits, including:
  • A Queens Food Hall featuring local restaurants and vendors
  • Improved public transit and parking infrastructure, including a transformed 7-line train station that would be made ADA accessible
  • A Community Impact Fund that will provide grants to non-profit organizations serving Queens communities and residents
  • Funding for community identified health care and youth and senior needs
• Improved and modernized road network, bike paths, and parking infrastructure
• A live music venue and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with sports betting as the economic engine at the core.

About Hard Rock®:
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 74 countries spanning 313 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops^®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. Its Unity by Hard Rock™ global loyalty program rewards members for doing the things they love across participating properties around the world. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 88,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. HRI became the first privately-owned gaming company designated a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal in 2021 and has since been honored fourfold. Hard Rock was also honored by Forbes among the World’s Best Employers, as well as Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming and Entertainment Industry. In the 2022 Global Gaming Awards, Hard Rock was named Land-Based Operator of the Year for the second time in four years. Hard Rock International currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB-) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com. 

SOURCE Hard Rock International