As part of the Belmont Park Redevelopment Project, horse racing at the Queens-based Aqueduct Racetrack will move to the Belmont racetrack on Long Island, creating an opportunity for the redevelopment of approximately 100 acres at the racetrack site. Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s economic development arm, will take the lead in reimagining this site for alternative uses, including housing, commercial retail, community facilities, and open space. The site is owned by the New York State Franchise Oversight Board, which represents the state’s ownership interests at three NYS racetracks: Aqueduct, Belmont Park and the Saratoga Race Course.    

Starting this spring, and through the end of 2026, ESD will lead a robust community engagement and site planning process that will inform the creation of the Aqueduct Community Master Plan. Public engagement will help ESD identify local priorities and set the framework for the site’s redevelopment through activities including visioning sessions, open houses, and planning workshops.  

The redevelopment is guided by the goals set out in Executive Order 30, which directs New York State agencies to identify and activate underutilized state-owned sites for housing, and delivers on Governor Hochul’s commitment to address New York’s housing crisis by increasing supply, promoting affordability, and creating stronger, more inclusive neighborhoods.  

Contact [email protected] to learn more. Continue checking this page for additional background information, details on upcoming workshops, and other opportunities for participation.