Months after it appeared to hit a brick wall, a proposed $8 billion casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field in Queens seems to be gaining new life.
A public hearing on Thursday on the proposed Metropolitan Park, organized as part of the city’s extensive land-use review process by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, stretched for over four hours. While some community members voiced environmental concerns and about gambling addiction, a clear majority touted promised project benefits in jobs and recreation.
Seth Bornstein, the executive director of the Queens Economic Development Corporation, said the possibility of landing the project marked the borough’s transformation from a chronically “untouchable” area to one that is now “desirable,” and argued that it would benefit thousands of working families.
