Residents and small-business owners in Flushing’s Chinatown are opposing Metropolitan Park, an $8bn casino and entertainment development proposed beside Citi Field in Queens. They argue that it could worsen gambling addiction, especially within Chinese immigrant communities, increase rents and displace vulnerable renters, while developers say it would bring jobs, public space and substantial community investment.

The scheme is backed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, and would include a casino, hotel, restaurants, entertainment district and park. An Urban Institute assessment suggests rising rents linked to the proposal could affect almost 16,000 renters in Corona and Flushing who already spend more than half their income on housing; developers say more than $1bn is allocated to community benefits, including responsible-gambling and mental-health services.