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$400 Million Soccer Stadium Proposed for Long Island

Written by Vickie Moller  |  08. August 2013

It’s been 30 years since the legendary New York Cosmos have played in a professional soccer league; but this year they will again take the field at the North American Soccer League Fall Championship—and they want to make Belmont Park in Elmont their home.

Early this year, the Cosmos submitted a comprehensive development proposal called “Elmont Town Crossing” to the State of New York, which includes building a privately-funded world-class 25,000-seat professional soccer stadium in Belmont Park.

The development project also involves transforming two sections of Belmont Park into a mixed-use complex that would include nine eateries, approximately 250,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel and a 4.3 acre public park.

The project, which is expected to exceed $400 million to build, would create more than 500 construction jobs and over 3,000 full-time jobs. Construction would generate more than $500 million, and upon its completion, it is expected that Elmont Town Crossing would produce over $200 million in annual revenue.

“This project, bringing a stadium, retail, restaurants and a park for the local community is just the shot in the arm our local economy needs,” said Long Island Association President Kevin Law. “Long Island has been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn. Elmont Town Crossings will enable us to take a step forward.”

Elmont Crossing also proposes improvements in parking, traffic flow and connections to the Cross Island Parkway, the Long Island Rail Road, MTA busses and the Nassau Inter County Express.

Strongly committed to giving back to the community, the Cosmos’ proposal also includes the construction of a smaller soccer field with a commitment to enhance the surrounding landscape and to keep the site open for local soccer teams to practice and play on. The team is also pledging $2.5 million for the redesign and development of community soccer fields.

“We plan to develop an iconic project for the region and build a state-of-the-art stadium that will make Nassau County and the entire region proud,” said Chairman and CEO of the New York Cosmos Seamus O’Brien.

“Belmont is an ideal location and a win-win for everyone involved. Nassau County and Elmont will realize much needed economic growth, and local residents will have a year-round premier destination they can call their own,” he continued.

If approved, construction of the project will begin next year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 and open in spring 2016.

"I'm happy to see the New York Cosmos bringing resources together, to create a permanent place for our generations of fans to call home. And I am pleased with any project that gives back to the community," said legendary Brazilian forward Pelé.

The project proposal is currently being reviewed by the Empire State Development Corporation.

Include your opinion about the Elmont Town Crossing project below or on our Long Island Living Discussion Forum.

[Source: New York Cosmos]

Video Courtesy of NYCosmos Offical YouTube Page

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