Hard Rock hosts Metropolitan Park community information sessions
The company organised sessions on potential work opportunities at the proposed site in Queens.
US.- Hard Rock has hosted a day of information sessions about Metropolitan Park. More than 300 local vendors, workforce development organisations and community leaders attended at the Queens Theatre. There were two sessions focusing on careers and work opportunities, and Hard Rock chairman Jim Allen spoke about how local organisations can play a role in the proposed project.
Metropolitan Park is a proposed $8bn private investment by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International to transform the 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field into a resort if they gain one of three casino licences to be granted for downtown New York.
There would be a Hard Rock Hotel with restaurants, bars, and conference space, as well as a casino and sportsbook, a live music venue and A Taste of Queens Food Hall. The project would create over 23,000 permanent and construction jobs, 25 acres of new park space and community areas, and economic opportunities for local businesses and restaurants, developers say.
State senator John Liu has introduced a bill proposing to redesignate parking lots around the Queens baseball stadium from parkland to commercial use to allow the project.
Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, said: “Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park is about building a better future for Queens, one that includes economic opportunity, meaningful partnerships and jobs. We’re committed to working directly with local vendors and workforce leaders to deliver on that promise, and we’re excited to bring our unique brand of world-class entertainment, along with good-paying union jobs and opportunity, to Queens.”
Tom Grech, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, added: “Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park has shown a real commitment to putting residents and businesses first. From workforce development partnerships to a ‘Queens-first’ hiring approach, these sessions reflect the kind of investment our borough needs.”
