In case you haven’t heard, we are bringing transformative development to Uniondale’s Nassau Hub.
The Nassau County Legislature advanced our plan, signifying Nassau’s readiness for the land around Nassau Coliseum to become a destination. We have a strong development team in BSE Global — the arena’s operator — and RXR Realty. Also in place are a labor commitment, community benefit plan process, and required zoning.
The plan establishes a time frame for groundbreaking. It includes a Northwell Health Innovation Center, a much-needed parking structure, housing, and retail development.
For decades, we’ve talked about site development — but no one has delivered. This framework will bring exciting activities, jobs, and housing to The Hub.
Some skeptics may remind us of the failed Lighthouse project, the rejected referendum to fund a new Coliseum and the Islanders leaving for Brooklyn.
But my administration has brought us closer than ever to Hub development.
How did we get here so quickly? Immediately after taking office, I formed a Hub Advisory Committee comprised of experts, elected officials, and community stakeholders. It provided key insight to help us envision the Hub’s future.
The group suggested that my administration issue a Request for Expressions of Interest, which allowed developers and others to submit their visions for the Hub. BSE explored opportunities with dozens of potential partners, choosing RXR Development, headed by Scott Rechler, a well-known developer with Nassau roots.
Last month RXR and BSE announced that Northwell Health, LI’s largest employer, will take some 250,000 square feet to develop an Innovation Center on the property. The addition of Northwell so early in the process proves the viability of the site and will deliver on the promise of high-paying jobs at the Hub.
What’s next? The developers have committed to an open dialogue with the community and elected officials, including the Hempstead Town Board. We have new channels of communication that will remain open throughout the process.
Meanwhile, the Coliseum provides world-class entertainment like Billy Joel and Elton John. And the Islanders will play 20 games there for the next two seasons, as they wait for their new Belmont park home to be built.
I attended the Islander’s first game back home, and the Barn was rocking from the moment the puck dropped until the last player skated off the ice. The spine-tingling energy was infectious — and made me excited for the future.
Successful Hub development will show the the world that Nassau is not the land of no. We are growing the tax base, creating a real live-work-play destination — and we are ready for the future.
Laura Curran is the Nassau County Executive
