In addition to winning the gaming license, which itself faces stiff competition, Cohen and Hard Rock will need to secure new legislation to allow for commercial development on what is currently designated as parkland - and political support for that is currently uncertain at best. There are still numerous hurdles for the plan. Cohen’s desire to build a casino has been well known, but Tuesday marked the first detailed release of his plans for what he’s calling Metropolitan Park, which will include a gaming center, hotel, music venue, food hall, green space, a renovated mass-transit station, community athletic fields, and playgrounds.Ĭohen himself has criticized the Citi Field area, saying “there’s nothing going on” there - and that “it’s time the world’s greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves.” Tough Road Ahead Hard Rock and Cohen are one of nearly a dozen applicants for one of three highly coveted state licenses to build a casino in downstate New York. The billionaire has teamed up with Hard Rock International on a bid to build a $8 billion casino and entertainment complex adjacent to Citi Field - a key element in the effort to remake the long-derided area of large parking lots and a glut of auto repair shops. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s vision to remake the Citi Field neighborhood is increasingly coming into focus.

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