Local 3 was well-represented at a town hall hosted by State Senator Jessica Ramos regarding the Metropolitan Park proposal recently announced by New York Mets franchise owner Steve Cohen. Sen. Ramos’ town hall was held at Elmcor Youth & Adult Services’ Louis Armstrong Recreational Center located on Northern Boulevard in Corona, Queens. Hundreds of constituents, community-based organizations, and people who live and/or work in Queens gathered in the gymnasium to hear the latest updates on the $8 billion-dollar proposal and determine what they would like to see in a Community Benefits Agreement.
A group of Local 3 members from the Allied Club of Queens attended the meeting and participated in working groups to make sure the voices of union members were not only heard but listened to. Following the working groups, Local 3 “A” journeyman wireman Kenneth Cohen and “M” journeyman Edwin Guaman delivered remarks on the open mic. Outside the town hall, Business Representative Dave Sands spoke to the press about the jobs and economic benefits that the Metropolitan Park development will create for the building trades and the broader Queens community.
In addition to a 25,000-seat soccer stadium in Willets Point, the Metropolitan Park proposal unveiled on November 7th would turn the Citi Field parking lot and surrounding areas into the site of a Hard Rock casino, hotel, food hall, live music venue, and public parks. It is currently undergoing community review, and Sen. Ramos announced her plans to host another town hall when the state legislative session resumes in the new year.
