A new poll shows a majority of respondents in Queens are in favor of a proposal to build a casino on the parking lot west of Citi Field. (QNS/File)
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and his team at North Shore Strategies have released a report of what the public would like to see done with the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field. The report is based off community feedback from 200 meetings with community leaders and 15 community workshops.
According to the feedback collected from community members, 89% of the local residents who responded support a vision that would include public green space, thousands of well-paying jobs, a Queens Food Hall featuring local restaurants and vendors, community athletic fields and bike paths, new connections to the waterfront and community, space for community groups and local artists, improved public transit and parking infrastructure and a hotel with a live music venue, casino gaming and conference spaces.
“Developing the area around Citi Field would offer real community benefits,” Boys and Girls Club of Queens CEO Costa Constantinides said.
Prior to receiving this feedback, a poll was conducted, which showed support from 78% of the community to build something around the community. This was done when the community members who responded learned about the framework of the project.
According to the polling report, 65% of respondents were more supportive of the project if it included a hotel with live music, casino gaming and conference spaces. Upon becoming more familiar with the casino’s features, they became more supportive of the gaming feature. Approximately 68% of those who responded were more likely to support the project with the casino acting as the main economic engine. The belief is that this would help attract people to the area year-round.
Even after receiving this much feedback for the report, Cohen’s team at North Shore Strategies is still trying to get thoughts from as many members of the community as…
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