Aqueduct Racetrack is nearing the end line after greater than a century in Queens — and state officers are actually asking residents what ought to come subsequent for the sprawling 100-acre website.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday introduced the beginning of a public planning course of to redevelop the state-owned South Ozone Park property, the place horse racing is predicted to finish this summer time as operations shift to the rebuilt Belmont Park on the Queens/Nassau border.
The Aqueduct website, which incorporates the racing floor, infield and backstretch barn areas, might finally rework into housing, retail, neighborhood amenities and open house, in accordance with state officers. It’s adjoining to Resorts World New York Metropolis On line casino, constructed within the former Aqueduct grandstand, which final week opened the primary desk video games in New York Metropolis.
Empire State Improvement will lead the hassle, which is able to embody public workshops, visioning periods and open homes by means of the top of 2026. The suggestions will assist form the Aqueduct Group Grasp Plan, anticipated to be accomplished in early 2027.
“As we work to address New York’s housing crisis and create more vibrant, inclusive communities, it is critical that we fully utilize state-owned land,” Hochul stated in a press release. “The Aqueduct site represents a significant opportunity, and through this community-driven process, we will ensure its future reflects the immediate priorities of Queens residents while expanding housing, economic opportunity and public amenities for all New Yorkers for years to come.”
The planning course of comes because the New York Racing Affiliation (NYRA) prepares to consolidate downstate racing on the newly rebuilt Belmont Park. Aqueduct, identified to racing followers as “The Big A,” is predicted to host its last races on June 28, ending a roughly 130-year run on the Queens monitor.
Belmont Park is present process a $450 million transformation, with a smaller fashionable grandstand, expanded hospitality areas and extra inexperienced house. NYRA officers have stated the brand new Belmont is on monitor to reopen this September.
A rendering of the brand new Belmont Park grandstand. Six months of horse racing will transfer from Aqueduct Racetrack to the brand new Belmont Park as soon as the power opens within the fall of 2026, thus leaving Aqueduct open for redevelopment.Rendering by way of NYRA/Governor’s workplace
As soon as racing ends at Aqueduct, the property can be returned to New York State, which owns the land by means of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board, pursuant to a 2008 chapter and restructuring settlement. State officers say they need residents and native stakeholders to assist resolve what ought to change the racetrack earlier than any formal redevelopment proposal strikes ahead.
The primary public workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Might 12, from 6 to eight:30 p.m. at John Adams Excessive Faculty in Ozone Park. A digital session will comply with on Thursday, Might 14, from 6:30 to eight:30 p.m.
On the conferences, residents can be requested to weigh in on priorities reminiscent of inexpensive housing, public open house, retail, training, neighborhood amenities, arts and tradition. The periods will embody a presentation from ESD, adopted by mapping workouts and voting instruments.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., who represents the world, stated the redevelopment could possibly be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for South Ozone Park, however stated residents should have a significant function in shaping the positioning’s future.
State officers stated further workshops can be held all through 2026, with every part shifting from broad neighborhood visioning towards extra particular improvement ideas. After the grasp plan is accomplished, the venture would nonetheless have to undergo environmental assessment, public approvals, and a aggressive request-for-proposals course of earlier than development might start.
