Something significant is happening in South Ozone Park, and Queens residents have a rare chance to help shape it. The state of New York has launched a community engagement process to determine the future of the approximately 100-acre Aqueduct Racetrack site — one of the largest parcels of state-owned land in the five boroughs. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the process on May 5, 2026, and the first community workshops have already begun. There is still time to participate.

Aqueduct Racetrack, which has hosted horse races in one form or another for more than 130 years, is transitioning to Belmont Park on Long Island as operations consolidate there. That leaves 100 acres of state-owned land in South Ozone Park — a blank canvas sitting in the middle of Queens that could become housing, parks, schools, retail, community facilities, or some combination. The state says it wants to hear directly from Queens residents before it decides.

What the State Is Proposing — and What It Is Not Deciding Yet

Empire State Development (ESD), acting on behalf of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board, is leading the planning process. The agency has been explicit that housing must be part of the conversation — Governor Hochul directed state agencies to activate underutilized state-owned sites for housing under Executive Order 30 — but the specific mix of uses, density, and design has not been decided.

“The Aqueduct site represents a significant opportunity,” Governor Hochul said in the May 5 announcement. “We will ensure its future reflects the priorities of Queens residents while expanding housing, economic opportunity, and public amenities.”

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight described it as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine 100 acres of state-owned land in Queens,” committed to an “inclusive engagement process” that reflects community input.

Community Workshops: What Happened and What Is Coming

The first in-person workshop was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at John Adams High School, located at 101-01 Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park. If you missed it, there is still a second session available.

A virtual workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. You can register via the Zoom link posted on the New York State ESD Aqueduct Redevelopment Project page at esd.ny.gov/aqueduct-redevelopment-project. Both sessions use interactive mapping tools and voting exercises to let participants indicate what they want to see built at the site — whether that is more affordable housing, public open space, retail, schools, arts facilities, or some other combination.

Additional workshops will be held throughout 2026, moving from broad community visioning in early sessions toward the evaluation of specific development concepts in later ones. A public presentation of the refined Aqueduct Community Master Plan is expected in early 2027.

Community Board 10 Is Pushing for a Real Seat at the Table

Queens Community Board 10, which has jurisdiction over the Aqueduct site and the surrounding neighborhoods including Howard Beach and South Ozone Park, has made clear it wants more than just a chance to show up at workshops. Board Chair Betty Braton told ESD representatives at a Howard Beach meeting on May 8 that the board expects a formal, ongoing role in crafting the master plan.

“Any Aqueduct community master plan must be guided by the people in our Community Board 10 neighborhoods that surround that property,” Braton said. The board has nearly a 50-year history of engagement with the Aqueduct site, going back to proposals in the 1970s.

Frank Gulluscio, the board second vice chair, was specific about what meaningful involvement should look like: “It should include a formal role in shaping the development of the framework. Ongoing input, not just one-stop shopping with regard to land use, zoning, and community benefits.”

ESD said it hopes to issue competitive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to select a development team roughly two years after the master plan is finalized — meaning construction would likely begin sometime after 2029.

What Is at Stake for South Ozone Park and Beyond

The Aqueduct site sits adjacent to the Resorts World New York City casino, which recently opened the city first full-fledged casino operation in April 2026. ESD has said Resorts World could bid for portions of the Aqueduct development in the RFP process, though it would compete on equal terms with other developers.

The surrounding neighborhoods — South Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, and Ozone Park — are largely working- and middle-class communities of color with strong Caribbean, South Asian, and Latino populations. Community board members have asked that any development plan prioritize affordable housing, maintain the character of surrounding residential streets, and account for existing infrastructure capacity before adding density.

State Senator Joseph Addabbo, whose district includes the area, called the opportunity “once-in-a-generation” and urged residents to participate in workshops so their voices help shape “a responsible and inclusive vision.”

To understand how community boards fit into land use decisions across the city, our explainer on NYC City Council districts and community boards in 2026 is a helpful starting point. You can also read our coverage of how community boards in Queens and the Bronx are handling development pressure in May 2026.

What You Need to Know

• Governor Hochul announced on May 5, 2026 that New York State is launching a community engagement process to plan the future of the approximately 100-acre Aqueduct Racetrack site in South Ozone Park, Queens.
• The first in-person workshop was held May 12 at John Adams High School, 101-01 Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park. A virtual session follows on May 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM — register at esd.ny.gov/aqueduct-redevelopment-project.
• Topics residents can weigh in on include: housing, public open space, retail, schools, community facilities, and arts and culture spaces.
• Additional workshops will continue through 2026; the Aqueduct Community Master Plan is expected in early 2027, with development RFPs to follow.
• Queens Community Board 10 is demanding a formal, ongoing role in shaping the plan — not just workshop attendance. Residents who want CB10 to have that leverage should show up and make their voices heard.
• Empire State Development is leading the process. Visit esd.ny.gov/aqueduct-redevelopment-project for updates and registration links.

Source: Governor Hochul announcement, May 5, 2026; Queens Daily Eagle reporting, May 11, 2026.