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Nassau Coliseum revamp plans submitted

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Brooklyn real estate developer Bruce Ratner submitted his blueprint for the redevelopment of Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, and the surrounding area, to Town of Hempstead officials on April 14, revealing a base outline for a renovation to the arena and the construction of additional hotels and retail spaces that he said will begin in August.

He was joined by Town Supervisor Kate Murray, who announced that the town would assume “lead agency” status in the environmental review process for the proposal, which she said would help it move expeditiously.

"Today's submittal to the Town of Hempstead brings us one step closer to beginning work on the redevelopment of the Coliseum site,” said Ratner, the executive chairman of Forest City Ratner Companies, at a press conference at Town Hall. "We look forward to beginning construction in the near future so that we can bring all Long Island residents the reimagined venue they truly deserve."

Ratner’s submission calls for 3.4 million square feet of development to the Uniondale site. A renovated coliseum will seat 13,000, reduced from its current capacity of 16,000. Ratner, however, said that in the future, he might request the town allow him to expand the coliseum back to its original capacity.

The developer did not name any specific tenants that would be brought to the site, but said the first phase of construction would include eight new retail facilities, including a movie theater and four restaurants, covering 188,000 square feet.

“I have been a proponent of balanced and progressive development at the site of the Nassau Veterans Coliseum and surrounding property,” said Murray, joined by council members Anthony Santino and Dorothy Goosby, as well as County Executive Ed Mangano. “I welcome the application of Mr. Ratner and the Nassau Events Center group. I, along with my colleagues on the Town Board, am eager to consider this application promptly.”

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