Aqueduct Racetrack is nearing the finish line after more than a century in Queens — and state officials are now asking residents what should come next for the sprawling 100-acre site.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the start of a public planning process to redevelop the state-owned South Ozone Park property, where horse racing is expected to end this summer as operations shift to the rebuilt Belmont Park on the Queens/Nassau border.
The Aqueduct site, which includes the racing surface, infield and backstretch barn areas, could eventually transform into housing, retail, community facilities and open space, according to state officials. It’s adjacent to Resorts World New York City Casino, built in the former Aqueduct grandstand, which last week opened the first table games in New York City.
Empire State Development will lead the effort, which will include public workshops, visioning sessions and open houses through the end of 2026. The feedback will help shape the Aqueduct Community Master Plan, expected to be completed 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 said in a statement. “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 process comes as the New York Racing Association (NYRA) prepares to consolidate downstate racing at the newly rebuilt Belmont Park. Aqueduct, known to racing fans as “The Big A,” is expected to host its final races on June 28, ending a roughly 130-year run at the Queens track.
Belmont Park is undergoing a $450 million transformation, with a smaller modern grandstand, expanded hospitality areas and more green space. NYRA officials have said the new Belmont is on track to reopen this September.
Once racing ends at Aqueduct, the property will be returned to New York State, which owns the land through the New York State Franchise Oversight Board, pursuant to a 2008 bankruptcy and restructuring agreement. State officials say they want residents and local stakeholders to help decide what should replace the racetrack before any formal redevelopment proposal moves forward.
The first public workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at John Adams High School in Ozone Park. A virtual session will follow on Thursday, May 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
At the meetings, residents will be asked to weigh in on priorities such as affordable housing, public open space, retail, education, community facilities, arts and culture. The sessions will include a presentation from ESD, followed by mapping exercises and voting tools.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., who represents the area, said the redevelopment could be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for South Ozone Park, but said residents must have a meaningful role in shaping the site’s future.
State officials said additional workshops will be held throughout 2026, with each phase moving from broad community visioning toward more specific development concepts. After the master plan is completed, the project would still need to go through environmental review, public approvals, and a competitive request-for-proposals process before construction could begin.
