By Tom Momberg
Around 200 supporters of the New York Cosmos soccer team’s plans to build a new stadium on the Queens-Nassau county border joined labor leaders at a rally to grab the state’s attention on the matter.
The $400 million proposal for a new 25,000-seat stadium on what is currently state land also includes plans for a hotel, public park, community center and retail park at the site.
The Cosmos’ proposal is one of four bids submitted for a large parcel of vacant asphalt south of the Belmont Racetrack in Elmont, following the Empire State Development Corporation’s request for proposals on the site.
Nearly three years later, the team announced in July it would start looking for other sites in Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Westchester County or New Jersey if the state does not make a decision soon.
But the state still has not awarded the parcel to any of the bidders. And because the Cosmos have committed to using union labor to construct the new athletic facility, the unions are leading the effort to demand the state come back with an answer, or at least give an expected date for when it might do so.
The Empire State Development Corporation did not respond to requests for comment.
“The development corporation has not provided any clear answers to Elmont homeowners or businesses on the redevelopment of the Belmont property,” Elmont School Board President Michael Jaime said at the Oct. 30 rally at the site. “This property needs to be elevated to a world-renowned sporting and entertainment complex to spur economic rebirth in this region. A parking lot to local car dealers will no longer be tolerated.”
The Cosmos’ proposal has been met with both local support and local opposition, which legislators have recognized, but they are still urging the economic development agency to make a decision.
State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont) and her brother, a Nassau County legislator, have been against the project, citing a greater need in the area for a grocery store or more affordable housing.
State Sen. Jack Martins, who has for the most part been in support of Cosmos’ plan under the presumption it would bring needed economic revitalization to Nassau County and eastern Queens, said the ESDC seems to be stalling. He has been urging the state entity to make a decision so further planning and construction can begin.
Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e-mail at tmomb
