The possibility of building an $8 billion mega-casino in Flushing, Queens, has increased significantly.
The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board announced on the morning of the 30th that the “Metropolitan Park” casino development project, currently underway in the Citi Field parking lot of the New York Mets’ stadium in Flushing, Queens, has advanced to the final round of bidding after its Community Advisory Committee unanimously passed with 6 votes in favor and 0 against. Even New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, who was initially expected to oppose the development, voted in favor, giving support to the Metropolitan Park development project.
This brings the final four development projects in the New York State casino bidding competition to 100,000: Metropolitan Park, Resorts World New York City in Queens, MGM Empire City in Yonkers, and Bally’s Casino in the Bronx.
The New York State Gaming Commission (GC) plans to review the four casino development proposals that advanced to the final round this year and ultimately issue casino licenses to three of them. New York State is reportedly considering allocating two casino licenses to New York City. The $8 billion Metropolitan Park Casino development project will feature a casino, hotel, 25-acre park, bars and restaurants, an outdoor live music venue, conference space, athletic fields, the Queens Food Hall, and a multi-use entertainment complex for the community, all on a 50-acre parking lot west of Citi Field, the current home of the New York Mets.
Following the Community Advisory Committee’s review, Metropolitan Park spokesperson Karl Ricketts emphasized, “The unanimous approval demonstrates the strong support of the local community.” He added, “We will do our best until the very end to make the community’s vision a reality.”
Meanwhile, John Savini, former chairman of the New York State Gaming Facility Site Selection Commission, drew attention last week when he predicted that Metropolitan Park would be the final winner in the state’s casino bidding competition, along with Resorts World near the Queens Aqueduct Racetrack and MGM Empire City in Yonkers, which already operate slot machines and other gambling venues.