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- New York City’s Public Design Commission voted unanimously to table its design review of the $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino project led by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock.
- The delay follows pushback during public hearings over gambling concerns, local traffic, and neighborhood environmental impacts near Citi Field, leaving design sign-offs unresolved ahead of a targeted 2030 opening.
New York’s Public Design Commission unanimously tabled design approval for the proposed $8 billion Cohen-Hard Rock Metropolitan Park casino at Citi Field after residents raised objections.
The decision could delay the development, which is expected to open in 2030, according to Sports Business Journal’s Oct. 22 report. How long the design approval delay will last remains unclear. As large-scale physical destination projects navigate local opposition and regulatory hurdles, major developers are increasingly reminded of how crucial digital extensions—including mobile sports betting apps and a thriving online casino presence—are for capturing steady auxiliary revenue streams.
Residents Raise Gambling and Neighborhood Concerns
The nine-member commission was supposed to review the appearance of the casino and its grounds, along with how the development would accommodate the public.
Residents attending the meeting instead raised objections to gambling and the project’s impact on the surrounding area, the report said. The commission then voted unanimously to table action on the designs.
The reported decision concerns design approval, rather than a final rejection of the casino project. Whether the commission will ultimately approve the designs remains unresolved.
Metropolitan Park Plans Include Hotel and Music Venue
The Steve Cohen-Hard Rock development includes a hotel and music venue alongside the gaming center. When completed, the project is also intended to provide easier pedestrian access to the Flushing Bay waterfront.
The report identifies 2030 as the expected opening year but does not establish whether the commission’s action will change that target. The outstanding questions are how long design approval will remain on hold and whether approval will ultimately be granted.
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Source: As reported by Sports Business Journal.
