Liu Defends Metropolitan Park Casino Support
The Queens state senator explained his backing of the $8 billion project at Community Board 11, which would use part of the Citi Field parking lot.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Gambling
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State Sen. John Liu defended his support for the Metropolitan Park casino at Community Board 11, where he answered questions on the $8 billion project. Construction is underway on the development, which received one of three downstate casino licenses.
Why it matters
Liu's legislation to alienate more than 50 acres of the Citi Field parking lot, which legally belongs to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is central to the project's move forward. Residents of Queens are simultaneously pursuing a state court challenge seeking to halt the project.
The Metropolitan Park project carries an $8 billion price tag and would alienate more than 50 acres of the Citi Field parking lot. The Mets hold an 80-year lease on the site, and the project is led by Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International.
The players
John Liu
New York State senator representing Queens whose legislation enabled the Metropolitan Park parking lot parcel to be alienated for the casino project.
Steve Cohen
Owner of the New York Mets and co-leader of the Metropolitan Park consortium alongside Hard Rock International.
Hard Rock International
Global hospitality and entertainment company co-leading the Metropolitan Park consortium with Mets owner Steve Cohen.
The details
Liu secured community benefits in exchange for his support, including a promise to modernize the No. 7 train station at Mets-Willets Point. The project is slated to include a concert venue, hotel, food hall, and 25 acres of park space, and developers have pledged infrastructure improvements connecting nearby neighborhoods to the Flushing waterfront.
Timeline
March 2025: Liu introduced legislation to alienate parking lot acreage for the project.
November 2, 2026: Liu answered questions at the Community Board 11 monthly meeting.
Market Landscape
The Metropolitan Park license is one of three downstate casino licenses created by New York State, with Resorts World New York City in South Ozone Park and a Bally's proposal in the Bronx also awarded licenses. Liu said two other casinos sit about six miles away, which shaped his reasoning on the site.
Residents near Citi Field and Flushing Meadows Corona Park face the loss of more than 50 acres of parking lot land and new development in the area. Local infrastructure, including the No. 7 train station at Mets-Willets Point, is slated for modernization under the agreed community benefits.
The takeaway
The Metropolitan Park debate shows how community benefits can be traded for political support on large development projects, and residents affected by such deals may want to follow the Queens court case and local board meetings closely.
Further reading
For more on the industry behind this project, explore Gambling coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by QNS.
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