Hard Rock Intl Chairman Jim Allen speaks at the Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park vendor event held at the Hall of Science in Corona, Queens on January 11th. Over 250 Queens small businesses owners attended to learn about procurement opportunities at the proposed sports and entertainment park.
Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park to be the economic engine behind the visionary plan that will transform 50 acres of asphalt into year-round Sports and Entertainment Park
Project would create 15,000 competitive paying jobs and ensure 360M in annual spend with large percentage commitment to local vendors
QUEENS, NY – More than 250 Queens small business owners, community based organizations and workforce development organizations participated in Hard Rock International’s job and vendor info session for Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park, the visionary plan to transform the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into a revolutionary sports and entertainment park. The project would also create a boon to local and national businesses with a spend of $360M annual basis.
The sessions offered groups that can help recruit and train interested workers and businesses with information on job opportunities related to construction, hotel, gaming, food service and entertainment.
Interested New York workers and businesses who were unable to attend can learn more at www.metropolitanpark.com.
The proposed $8 billion private investment by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International would transform the parking lots around Citi Field into a community-driven vision – creating over 15,000 jobs, 25 acres of new park space and community areas, and economic opportunities for local businesses and restaurants.
“Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park is a long-term investment into the people and businesses of Queens,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International. “Not only will our venue bring people together for memorable shared experiences, but we can create jobs with competitive salaries and benefits and life-long careers adding to the more than 60,000 workforce we employ around the world. We’re excited to bring our unique brand of world-class entertainment – along with jobs and opportunity – to Queens.”
“Metropolitan Park is our once-in-a-life time opportunity to transform 50 acres of asphalt into a year-round sports and entertainment destination – creating thousands of permanent union jobs, and year-round employment in the process,” said Mets owner Steve Cohen. “We are looking forward to working with these community organizations to help recruit, train and hire New Yorkers.”
METROPOLITAN PARK: Turning a Parking Lot into a Park
Metropolitan Park will be a space that people can come to every day of the year to hang out by the waterfront, enjoy the park, listen to live music, try their luck at the casino, place a bet at the casino, as well as eat, drink, and shop at locally-owned small businesses.
The result is a vision that delivers:
- An investment of $8 billion
- Nearly 15,000 good-paying permanent and construction jobs
- 20 acres of new park space and 5 acres of community athletic fields and playgrounds
- Climate-ready infrastructure including solar, green roofs, and flood mitigation
- Visionary entertainment complex with a Hard Rock hotel, live music venue, and gaming
- New connections to the waterfront, park, and surrounding community
- Queens food hall
- Accessible and renovated mass transit station
- Improved and modernized road network, bike paths, and parking infrastructure
Building dedicated open space for the public
Parks and public space are essential to any community. Dedicated green spaces are needed for people to enjoy and relax and the area around Citi Field shouldn’t be an exception.
Creating permanent local jobs and economic opportunity for local small businesses
Turning this space into usable parks for the public and an entertainment destination with live music, restaurants and bars will create thousands of competitive paying jobs throughout the construction process. This will mean opportunities for local residents and minority and women owned businesses, as well as access to on-going workforce training programs.
Connecting surrounding neighborhoods to the waterfront
Metropolitan Park is an opportunity to connect the surrounding neighborhoods, create easy and safe waterfront access, increase walkability and cycling access, and improve transportation options.
Bringing year-round entertainment to life
Entertainment is the economic engine that will make this area a destination every single day of the year— regardless of the weather or if it’s baseball season.
Queens Food Hall
Queens is widely celebrated for its rich culinary scene. By featuring local restaurants and vendors, we can showcase the incredible cultural diversity of Queens. The borough is famous for its vibrant street food culture and offering some of the most authentic food experiences outside of each cuisine’s native country.
About Hard Rock®:
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 309 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 87,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock Hotels has been honored by J.D. Power’s North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study as the number one brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for two consecutive years, and among the top Upper Upscale Hotels for four consecutive years. HRI became the first privately-owned gaming company designated a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal in 2021, and has since been honored threefold. Hard Rock was also honored by Forbes among the World’s Best Employers, as well as Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. In the 2022 Global Gaming Awards, Hard Rock was named Land-Based Operator of the Year for the second time in four years. Hard Rock International currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.
