FIRST LOOK: New Renderings of Steve Cohen’s Metropolitan Park
Metropolitan Park is a vision to transform the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into a once in a lifetime sports and entertainment park that will create 23,000 good-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, live music, a Queens Food Hall and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with sportsbook.
The partnership between Steve Cohen and Hard Rock Entertainment will make Metropolitan Park the next great New York destination.
The project is now moving forward with the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) process and releasing new renderings that showcase what turning empty parking lots into a park will actually feel like.
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.
Metropolitan Park will deliver:
- 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 as the economic engine at the core.
