The Nassau Coliseum is seen in Uniondale, New York, August 2, 2011. A proposal to finance a new hockey arena for the New York Islanders with $400 million of bonds was rejected by voters in Nassau County, New York, on Monday.SHANNON STAPLETON
The latest attempt to do something about an arena for the New York Islanders was unveiled Wednesday, with the magic words "privately financed" attached to it.
A news conference was held with a group of architects, engineers, government officials and labour leaders who talked up a plan to spend $346.5-million (all currency U.S.) to develop 77 acres of land around the decrepit Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. The plan calls for $100-million to be spent renovating the Coliseum which would "make the structure larger and taller, with new seats and suites."
Newsday has the details but what was not immediately available was any reaction from Islanders owner Charles Wang. He has not said much since a proposal to get local taxpayers to back a bond issue to build a new arena for him was shot down in a referendum.
The latest plans include a minor-league baseball park, outdoor ice rink (presumably for people other than the Islanders) and retail and restaurant space.