Schwartz: 3-Plus Years Later, Cosmos Still Waiting For An Answer On Elmont Stadium Plan

By Peter Schwartz
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When the New York Cosmos opened up defense of their NASL championship on April 3 with a 3-0 win over Ottawa at Hofstra University, Erik Stover, the team's chief operating officer, looked on with mixed emotions.

That's because had things gone according to plan, the Cosmos would have opened up the fourth season since their reboot about 10 miles west in a brand new stadium next to Belmont Park instead of in their temporary home at Shuart Stadium.

On Jan. 11, 2013, the Cosmos formally delivered a proposal to the Empire State Development Corp. for Elmont Town Crossings. Revised at the state's request in November 2015, the $400 million, privately financed project that includes a 25,000-seat soccer stadium and mixed-use development would be built immediately south of Hempstead Turnpike and east of the Cross Island Parkway.

Three and a half years after the initial proposal, the Cosmos, as well as the other three developers that submitted proposals, are still waiting for an answer.

"Over the last six months, it seems like the state is moving towards an answer, so we do stay optimistic, and hopefully we'll get a decision soon," Stover said.

The Cosmos' proposal also includes a 175-room hotel, nine restaurants and about 370,000 square feet of retail and entertainment, including a movie theater. The expectation is that the stadium would host 30 to 50 events a year, including Cosmos games, college matches and international events.

The team believes the project will generate more than 500 construction jobs, in addition to thousands of full-time and part-time jobs when the entire complex opens.

The expectation is that the construction alone will generate $500 million in Nassau County plus more than $200 million in annual revenue. The Cosmos believe that their proposal is right for the Elmont community.

"The crime rate is increasing," Stover said. "Foreclosures are very high. The people there need jobs. We think that our project makes the most sense because it works in synergy with the racetrack. It's creating a sports-entertainment destination."

In putting together the proposal, the Cosmos examined what the Elmont community was looking for in terms of development along Hempstead Turnpike across from the racetrack. They looked at the Elmont vision plan and used it as a checklist for what to include in the project.

"We accumulated all this information between 2007 and 2008," said Sandra Smith, chairwoman of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development. "Everything that we put in our vision plan is all a part of (the Cosmos') plan."

There is tremendous support for the Cosmos' plan as numbers show that as high as 75 percent of the community is in favor of the project. On May 3, in excess of 150 union members, civic activists and business owners showed up at a Belmont Park rally to show support and to send a message to the state to approve the Cosmos' proposal.

On the flip side, only about a dozen protesters accompanied Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages on April 25 outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's regional office in Hicksville.

"There are a handful of people for three years that have been in opposition, but it's been the same 10 people showing up," Stover said.

As it turns out, the protesters never took part in the development of the vision plan.

"They're out of sorts when it comes to what the majority of people would have wanted," said Smith. "I think that's where they're lacking in the knowledge."

The Cosmos certainly aren't lacking in the win column.

Since their return in 2013, the Cosmos have made the playoffs three times, won two championships (the sixth and seventh in franchise history) and are currently in first place in the NASL spring season. But all of their success on the field has not translated into a success at the turnstiles.

Through their first three seasons at Hofstra, the Cosmos averaged 5,000 fans per game, and they are off to a very slow start in filling seats this season. Shuart Stadium was only supposed to be a temporary home for the Cosmos, but four seasons into the reboot, their fans are also ready for a new stadium.
Shuart Stadium lacks the modern amenities that fans are looking for.

"The seats are uncomfortable," said a Cosmos fan that requested not to be identified. "The bathrooms are disgusting, and the concession stands are inadequate."

Parking next to the stadium is limited, forcing many fans to park across Hempstead Turnpike on the other side of the campus and walk over. What is also hurting the Cosmos is that they have to choose from a selection of dates and times for home games that wouldn't necessarily be their first choice.

"The current situation of playing at Hofstra is difficult," said Stover. "It's clearly hurting our business. It's holding us back from being able to grow. If we can't get an answer on (the new stadium) soon, we're going to have to make some difficult decisions."

That could very well mean following in the footsteps of the Islanders and leaving Long Island. There are some options for other temporary homes, but the Cosmos don't want to leave Nassau County, with the Elmont site sitting along the Queens border. They've waited patiently for an answer, but the clock is ticking.

"It shouldn't take 3½ years to get an answer," said Stover. "It is very frustrating for us, particularly in an area that we've come to call home."

Elmont appears to be ready to welcome the Cosmos with open arms.

The project would create a destination in the community where people could come to shop, eat and enjoy watching the most storied soccer club ever in the United States. The Cosmos seem to fit Elmont like a glove.

"Being such a diverse community, where most of the people who live here come from countries where soccer is the No. 1 sport, just enhances that desire even more," said Smith.

As they set their sights on another championship, the Cosmos continue to play the waiting game when it comes to an answer on their potential new home and a development project that would pump some new life into the Elmont community.

All they need is the thumbs-up.

"We've been told that we would hear an answer soon, but we've been told that for the last couple of months. There's been more chatter recently, and we're hoping that's a sign that a decision is coming."

As Tom Petty would say, "The waiting is the hardest part."

For more information on the Elmont Town Crossings proposal, visit http://cosmosstadium.com.

Don't forget to follow Pete on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow @NYCosmos.