A proposal for a soccer stadium and related development near Belmont Park is off the table, as New York state officials have scrapped the plan.
At one point, the New York Cosmos were attached to an ambitious plan at the site. In February 2013, the Cosmos submitted a bid to convert the site into a 25,000-seat soccer stadium that would have included a mixed-use development. The concept was floated at a time when the Empire State Development corporation, the owner of the 28-acre site, was considering proposals for redevelopment.
In the ensuing years, little traction has been gained, not only as it relates to the Cosmos’ plan but for development on the site. While the Cosmos’ status for 2017 and beyond remains in limbo, the Empire State Development corp. has opted to move in a different direction, effectively scrapping previous bids for the land. No official word has surfaced as to what will happen with the site, but it has been tied to reports as a possible arena for the NHL’s New York Islanders. More from News 12 Long Island:
Empire State Development Corp. canceled its 4-year-old request for proposals, or RFP, at the site, closing the door on a plan to construct a 25,000-seat stadium on the property.
Civic leaders from Elmont and Floral Park say they look forward to hearing from new developers about new ideas.
Some have speculated that the New York Islanders’ new ownership group could try to return the team to Nassau County with a new arena proposal at Belmont Park. That is popular with some civic leaders, but less so with others.
As has been covered on our sister site, Arena Digest, the Islanders are mulling a move out of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and have been tied to several locations, including Belmont Park and a location near Citi Field in Queens. What happens to that proposal remains to be seen, but the Empire State Development corp’s latest move certainly halts discussion of a soccer facility at Belmont Park.
RELATED STORIES: Cosmos’ Elmont Stadium Proposal Draws Backlash; Will New Cosmos Stadium Development Finally Move Forward?; Labor: Time to decide on Cosmos stadium plan; Cosmos renew push for new stadium, development; No news on the new New York Cosmos stadium front; With no MLS, Cosmos to map future;As NASL season begins, Cosmos Stadium plan in limbo