New renderings of Metropolitan Park, the partnership between New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, give New Yorkers a look of what turning empty parking lots into a public park will feel like.
The $8bn privately funded project is now moving forward with New York City's process for public approval of the development.
The design and the layout were informed over three years of community engagement by Cohen and his partners with local residents, small businesses, Mets fans and Queens community leaders to transform the area.
Metropolitan Park is an opportunity to transform the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into an economic engine that will create 23,000 competitive-paying union jobs.
This reimagined space will bring together neighbours, fans and visitors to enjoy 25 acres of new public park space, improved public transportation and climate infrastructure, live music, a Queens Food Hall and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with bars, restaurants and a sportsbook.
"We are very proud to present New Yorkers with the visualisation of what's possible for a world-class city and its surrounding neighbourhoods," said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International.
"We'd like to thank our partners for working with us to create something truly transformative. We take great pride and the utmost care in bringing forth something that will create much needed jobs and memories that will live on for generations to come."
"It's time the world's greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves," said Steve Cohen. "When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better.
"Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of."
