On game days, the parking lot where Shea Stadium once stood is a sea of orange and blue. Mets owner Steve Cohen has a vision to turn this asphalt over to green space and into an entertainment district.
The proposal, dubbed Metropolitan Park, expands on an already-underway vision for Willets Point that promises an HOK-designed soccer stadium, housing, and more. New renderings from SHoP Architects and Field Operations elaborate on Cohen’s vision to bring 20 acres of park space to the site in Queens.
Visuals shared by the design team show the 50 or so acres of parking outside Citi Field largely replaced by green lawns and circuitous pathways. Directly across from the baseball stadium is a Hard Rock casino and hotel facility. The project is known to be one of several developments in New York City vying for three available gaming license.
The proposal also calls for a live music venue, adjacent to the casino and hotel site. The glass hotel buildings tower over the complex, adding to the skyline of Flushing. On the east side, closer to Seaver Way, where more parking is currently located there are plans for a food hall that would serve up dishes and bites from local restaurants.
According to a site plan for Metropolitan Park, bike paths would line the perimeter of the site. To the south end of the site (currently car parking) would be transformed into a playground and sports fields for recreational use. Photovoltaic panels would be installed on the remaining parking lot space to generate energy for the site.
Beyond built and landscape components Metropolitan Park calls for upgrades to the Mets-Willets Point 7 Train station. The station would be redesigned for accessibility. Its entry and exit points would spill out into the planned park space to usher fans and patrons toward the stadium or adjacent Flushing-Meadows Corona Park.
In combination with the proposal for the New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and planned mixed-use development, Metropolitan Park pitches an expansion of the area’s already rich legacy as a venue for sports and cultural activities.
