Overview
- Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan, announced Tuesday, starts a state-led process with public workshops on May 12 in Ozone Park and May 14 online.
- Empire State Development, the state's economic development agency, will lead the effort and target an Aqueduct Community Master Plan in early 2027.
- Aqueduct will run its final races on June 28, 2026 as the New York Racing Association shifts live racing to a rebuilt Belmont Park expected to reopen in September.
- After racing ends, New York State will take back the site through the Franchise Oversight Board under a 2008 agreement, then begin environmental review and a competitive request for proposals.
- Nearby Resorts World, which opened live table games last month and is tied to a reported $5.5 billion expansion, adds economic stakes that will shape community discussions.