Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
REMARKS
Francisco Moya explains vote on Metropolitan Park project
0:43:12
·
153 sec
Council Member Francisco Moya explains his support for the Metropolitan Park project in Queens, emphasizing its potential economic benefits and community involvement. He highlights the project's commitment to union jobs, local hiring, and transformation of underutilized space into a vibrant destination.
- The project includes new open spaces, entertainment venues, a hotel, and a gaming facility
- 100% union jobs in construction and operation, with a focus on diversity and local hiring
- Moya votes in favor of allowing the project to compete for a gaming license
Francisco Moya
0:43:12
Thank you.
0:43:13
Madam majority leader, if I can, make some remarks before my vote.
Amanda Farías
0:43:17
So granted.
Francisco Moya
0:43:18
Thank you so much.
0:43:19
Thank you to you and thank you, madam speaker and my colleagues, for the opportunity to share a few words about the project before us today because it has the potential to boost the economy of the borough Of Queens and the city as a whole.
0:43:31
Throughout my career in public service, my priority has been to support initiatives that truly reflect the community's needs and strengthen our local economy.
0:43:39
So when I was approached about the proposal for Metropolitan Park, a new sports, entertainment, and recreational destination envisioned by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and the Hard Rock International, I made it clear that I would only support the project if it genuinely served our community.
0:43:55
This project is about more than building a new venue.
0:43:59
It's about creating lasting job opportunities, transforming this area into a world class destination, and elevating our local economy to unprecedented heights.
0:44:07
Metropolitan Park will provide 100% union jobs in both construction and operation.
0:44:13
There will also there's also a firm commitment to diversity and local hiring with contracts for minority and women owned businesses and opportunities for local residents.
0:44:22
Community involvement has been a part, of the plan and that's why Metropolitan Park has actively engaged with community leaders and has shown real dedication to partnership with local organizations.
0:44:34
Together, through ongoing dialogue with mister Cohen, local leaders and residents, we've crafted a vision that truly serves Queens, And that includes a vibrant community centered sports entertainment recreational destination complete with new open spaces, entertainment venues, a hotel, and a gaming facility.
0:44:51
I'm ecstatic at the prospect of finally turning huge swaths of often vacant pavement into usable recreational space by transforming these underutilized parking lots into a dynamic hub of recreation, commerce, and entertainment.
0:45:05
We can create an economic engine that will draw visitors year round, enhancing the experience for millions who come to Citi Field, the USCA, and the soon to be New York City Football Club, first state of the art soccer stadium, and truly have usable recreational space.
0:45:19
This project deserves the opportunity to compete in the established process for one of the new gaming licenses, and I'm proud to vote yes on allowing them to do that.
0:45:28
And I vote yes on the future of Queens, and I just wanna take this opportunity to thank my chief of staff, Megan Taddeo Benham, Paris Slaughter, James Cotone, and all of the land use staff for their work on this project.
0:45:40
I vote aye, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in the affirmative.
0:45:44
Thank you.