Key Takeaways
- • Metropolitan Park, the $8.1 billion sports and entertainment district led by Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen, announced a $10 million investment in the new Jackson Heights community center of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens.
- • The $10 million is seed funding for a community center project with $33.8 million in total public-private funding.
- • Public contributions include $10 million from Governor Kathy Hochul, $9.3 million secured by Council Member Shekar Krishnan and the New York City Council, and $2 million from U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
- • The investment is part of Metropolitan Park's more than $1 billion in community benefits tied to its planned development on 50 acres of Citi Field parking lots.
Summary
Metropolitan Park, the proposed $8.1 billion sports and entertainment district led by Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen, has announced a $10 million investment in the new Jackson Heights community center of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, according to a PR Newswire release. The contribution is part of Metropolitan Park's more than $1 billion in community benefits and serves as seed funding for a facility with $33.8 million in total public-private funding.
Additional funding comes from multiple public sources. Governor Kathy Hochul committed $10 million in State funding. The New York City Council, through Council Member Shekar Krishnan, secured $9.3 million. U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand secured $2 million, and Congress Member Grace Meng contributed $1 million. State Assembly members also secured funding, including $1 million in New York State funding from Jessica González-Rojas, $250,000 from Steven Raga, and $250,000 from Catalina Cruz.
Sean Caffery of Hard Rock International said the investment was made on behalf of Hard Rock International, the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Jim Allen, and described it as a step toward turning a long-held community vision into reality. Michael Sullivan of Metropolitan Park said the commitment extends beyond the boundaries of the development site, noting that Jackson Heights, Corona and East Elmhurst required a new community center to meet growing local needs.
The broader Metropolitan Park project would transform 50 acres of Citi Field parking lots into a year-round sports and entertainment destination. Planned features include a Hard Rock Hotel with a casino, sportsbook, restaurants, bars, meeting and event space, a live music venue, and a Taste of Queens Food Hall. The developers state the project will create 25 acres of public green space, generate 23,000 union jobs, and fund infrastructure improvements including an ADA-accessible revamp of the 7-line train station.
Additional funding comes from multiple public sources. Governor Kathy Hochul committed $10 million in State funding. The New York City Council, through Council Member Shekar Krishnan, secured $9.3 million. U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand secured $2 million, and Congress Member Grace Meng contributed $1 million. State Assembly members also secured funding, including $1 million in New York State funding from Jessica González-Rojas, $250,000 from Steven Raga, and $250,000 from Catalina Cruz.
Sean Caffery of Hard Rock International said the investment was made on behalf of Hard Rock International, the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Jim Allen, and described it as a step toward turning a long-held community vision into reality. Michael Sullivan of Metropolitan Park said the commitment extends beyond the boundaries of the development site, noting that Jackson Heights, Corona and East Elmhurst required a new community center to meet growing local needs.
The broader Metropolitan Park project would transform 50 acres of Citi Field parking lots into a year-round sports and entertainment destination. Planned features include a Hard Rock Hotel with a casino, sportsbook, restaurants, bars, meeting and event space, a live music venue, and a Taste of Queens Food Hall. The developers state the project will create 25 acres of public green space, generate 23,000 union jobs, and fund infrastructure improvements including an ADA-accessible revamp of the 7-line train station.
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