Council Member Francisco Moya announced his support for Metropolitan Park, a proposal put forward by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International that calls for the construction of a casino and entertainment complex on the parking lot just west of Citi Field.
In a lengthy statement released on Thursday afternoon, Moya said that when he was first approached about the project, his main consideration was ensuring that it would meet the needs of his constituents and provide a major boost to the local economy.
“While we faced real obstacles and challenges in our initial discussions, I was clear that Metropolitan Park would need to fulfill several specific criteria to earn my support,” Moya said.
His list included 100% union jobs, both in construction and operation; a commitment to hiring MWBE firms and local residents; real and tangible partnerships with local community organizations; and the future negotiation of a Community Benefits Agreement with community stakeholders.