Queens Casino Renderings Released, But Vote Stalls

New renderings for a planned casino and hotel complex called Metropolitan Park in Queens, New York, were released on Tuesday.

The new images were shared during a meeting with the city’s Public Design Commission, which is reviewing the plans for the site near the New York Mets’ Citi Field in Willets Point. Unfortunately for developers, the Commission unanimously voted to postpone its vote of approval on the design due to an outpour of criticism of the $8 billion project.

This comes after numerous people testified in opposition to the project on Tuesday and a rally was held outside of City Hall.

Queens casino faces pushback

Metropolitan Park is the product of a years-long process with state and local officials that resulted in the issuance of three casino operator’s licenses. The facility is one of two in Queens, alongside Resorts World NYC, which is already open for business and undergoing an expansion. The other approved facility is Bally’s Bronx, which will open at Ferry Point Park.

SHoP Architects and Field Operations, two of the design firms collaborating on Metropolitan Park, illustrated the various goals and approaches of creating the campus. New renderings showed broader structural designs and aesthetics, as well as small details such as benches, stairs and escalators, shrubbery, bike racks and paths, and landscaping.

The designs further brought to life the vision that was created by project owner Steve Cohen’s team years ago. But after three hours of public testimony, the Commission decided to delay its final vote on approving the design for developer companies.

Members of the panel specifically requested more information about the facility’s stormwater management plan.

“Democracy doesn’t exist without participation and we are very grateful for everyone’s participation here,” said Deborah Marton, the president of the New York City Design Commission.

Getting the project on its feet

The Commission is responsible for reviewing and either approving or rejecting designs of buildings, public art, and all structures erected on city-owned land. 

The Commission only planned on reviewing a small portion of the design, the stairway and balcony area of the casino that would connect with a public park that linked the complex to Citi Field. However, a consistent fear that the project would not help flooding issues that have become prevalent in Queens’ northwestern area forced them to reconsider.

“We can't really think about this until we make sure that we understand what the site as a whole is doing,” Commission President Deborah Marton said. “It's just the sequence of things that makes it so that we don't understand the underlying conditions.”

The Commission previously approved the project’s master plan, lighting proposals, and parking garage. Members noted that they were surprised, but also appreciative of how many people showed up to testify for and against the complex. 

Metropolitan Park was already approved as a project by the New York State Gaming Commission and the Gaming Facility Location Board. Construction of the project has begun, although it is behind schedule.

The Eagle reported in May that developers had not laid the foundation of the parking lot the casino would be built on top of, despite telling the Commission they intended to do just that by the start of the year. A spokesperson for the project told The Eagle on Tuesday that construction was “well underway”. 

“The project’s design reflects years of community engagement and input from our neighbors, and was developed with an all-New York design team,” Rickett said. “Since the master plan was approved in 2025, we’ve worked closely with the Commission and we thank them for continuing to offer thoughtful input on this important project.” 

Once completed, the 78-acre project will include a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino that features slot machines, live-dealer table games, a public park, an entertainment venue, dining options, a tailgate area, and more amenities.