NEW YORK | NYC FC Soccer Stadium | Willets Point

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by k1052

Why not build it on air rights over the Sunnyside Yard between Thomson and Queens Blvd? Far better transit access than the Industry Pond or Bay Ridge sites, particularly with LIRR plans to add a station at Skillman when the ESA is complete providing one stop service to Penn.

Wouldn't that require an expensive platform over the yards? If so, no way for an mls stadium.

[aquablue]

I sympathize with folks losing precious park land, but the fact of the matter is that it appears they will be losing mostly hard scape rather than green space, so that mitigates the negatives. I would prefer if it had gone next to citified, but that land is destined for a mall.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by aquablue

Wouldn't that require an expensive platform over the yards? If so, no way for an mls stadium.

Yeah, that's not gonna happen. If they build anything over those rails, it would be housing.

[NYguy]

Amost forgotten about this one, another soccer proposal...


http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/01/...lex-in-queens/

New York Cosmos propose $400 million mixed-use complex in Queens





January 17, 2013

The New York Cosmos revealed plans yesterday to develop a $400 million mixed-use complex, including restaurants, retail space, a hotel and a soccer stadium on two sites near Belmont Park, which could rival previously announced plans to bring a Major League Soccer stadium in Queens, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Cosmos, which achieved prominence in the 1970′s with Brazilian star Pelé, want to bring a privately financed 25,000-seat stadium to state-owned land near the Belmont Park horse-racing track. In September, the state issued a call for developers for the two Nassau County sites, totaling 36 acres.

And the Cosmos’ plan has already seen some political support. ”The idea of the stadium with the retail component and the hotel is exciting,” State Senator Jack Martins, a Nassau County Republican, said. “It certainly has a much greater upside [than solely retail] with the benefit to the county and state in terms of economic development and tax revenue.”

But the plan could upend a controversial proposal for another Major League Soccer stadium at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, as some doubt whether Queens could support multiple professional soccer teams.

But so far both developers appear undeterred. “This city is big enough to deal with three soccer teams. In London, they’ve got seven or eight,” Seamus O’Brien, chairman and CEO of the New York Cosmos said. “I say bring it on.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...NewsCollection

Cosmos Goal: New Stadium Near Belmont




By LAURA KUSISTO
January 16, 2013

The New York Cosmos want to build a soccer stadium near Belmont Park as part of a $400 million mixed-use complex, a proposal that could complicate a plan to build a Major League Soccer stadium in Queens.

The Cosmos said Wednesday the team wants to build a privately financed 25,000-seat stadium on state-owned land near the Belmont Park horse-racing track. The Cosmos franchise, which rose to soccer prominence in New York during the 1970s when Brazilian star Pelé played for the team, has been searching for a site to build a stadium for months since it announced its relaunch in 2011.

"Over the last 18 months, we evaluated all potential sites in the New York area. They all have significant challenges and difficulties. This site was at the top of the list," said Seamus O'Brien, chairman and chief executive of the New York Cosmos.

The state issued a call for developers for two sites totaling 36 acres in Nassau County in September.

The Cosmos are proposing to build the stadium on the larger, southern site, as well as restaurants, retail space and a hotel on the northern site. The team will compete with at least one other proposal made by Related Cos. to build a shopping center and recreational space, according to people familiar with the matter.

The soccer team's proposal seems to be gaining early political momentum.

"The idea of the stadium with the retail component and the hotel is exciting," said State Sen. Jack Martins, a Nassau County Republican. "It certainly has a much greater upside [than solely retail] with the benefit to the county and state in terms of economic development and tax revenue."

A rendering of the stadium interior. The $400 million privately funded project also would include retail space and parking.



The way I see it, Knicks/Nets, Giants/Jets, Yankees/Mets....either they would need a name change, or the Flushing team would have to get something that rhymes with Mets.

[NYguy]

More about the second proposed stadium (which is just accross the border btw)


http://newcosmosstadium.com/about

This project called "Elmont Town Crossings," will transform two sections of Belmont Park into a vibrant entertainment complex, with a “Restaurant Row” of nine
new eateries, nearly 250,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel and the development of a brand new 4.3 acre public park for the residential community.

On the southern portion, the Cosmos propose to build a 25,000-seat world class soccer stadium, a youth soccer field, and a 4.3 acre park for the community of Elmont.
A pedestrian overpass over Hempstead Turnpike would connect the southern portion to retail shops, restaurants and a hotel to the north. The northern portion
of the project will include nine restaurants and nearly 250,000 square feet of shopping.

t is anticipated that the stadium will host event days 30-50 a year, in addition to existing park race days, but will not hold events that conflict with major horseracing
events such as the Belmont Stakes.

The stadium will also have a downward slope from west to east, so its profile will be no higher than 30 feet along the residential perimeter. Ample parking will be
available to accommodate both the stadium and NYRA events. There will be both ground level and underground parking. Additionally, Belmont is accessible by LIRR
and bus service. Once open, it is hoped the stadium will also host such events as World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches for the U.S. Men's and Women’s
national team, exhibitions between world class foreign teams, the U.S. Open Cup and NCAA games.

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[aquablue]

It would be really funny if the new york area ended up with 3 high quality soccer stadiums.

I don't know what to make of this. Obviously MLS wanted to be in NYC, so this location won't ever work for them. It could be a scheming move by Cosmos to pressure MLS into picking them if the Queens plan does not work.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by aquablue

It could be a scheming move by Cosmos to pressure MLS into picking them if the Queens plan does not work.

Obviously they would like to move up to MLS, but there was an oppurtunity at the Belmont site and they have Saudi Arabian backers with the money, so its not a matter of if they could get the stadium built, but if they will be allowed to, since the state hasn't decided who will develop the sites yet.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/...id/973?cc=5901

Cosmos sending a strong message to MLS


Posted by Jeff Carlisle
January 16, 2013

It's important to remember that the Cosmos' proposal, first reported by Newsday, is just one of possibly several that will be considered by the State of New York. Newsday reported that the state has already received another proposal for the area. And given the numerous false starts soccer stadium projects have endured in this country over the years, now is not the time for irrational exuberance. But O'Brien's confidence and enthusiasm for the project were clear.

"In terms of all the things that you'd look for in a site to build a stadium, this probably had 90 percent of them," he said. "The important one was that it was state land, and in this case it was the state looking for proposals, wanting to build something. It wasn't us going out there trying to acquire a piece of land and putting a stadium in some other environment. Most of the hurdles have been crossed. It's a site that has been effectively zoned as a sports facility. It's got rail links already build. You haven't got to demolish anything. And it’s in a very attractive neighborhood, so we're pretty pumped about the opportunity."

The entire project will be privately funded at a cost of $400 million. The Cosmos said that over 3,000 permanent jobs will be created and will generate $200 million a year in revenue. Much of the funding will come from the Cosmos' owners, Saudi Arabia-based Sela Sport, but O'Brien added that the proposal is a joint bid, and that a Long Island developer has already been lined up to build the retail, restaurant, and hotel aspects of the facility.

O'Brien didn't rule out the possibility of one day joining MLS, but added it’s not a requirement for the Cosmos. "Sport in the modern age is a competitive business," he said. "We're happy to live and die with the best of them. All I know here is there is a site that that has been tendered by the state, they have an agenda. They have asked for proposals that have a predetermined set of parameters. We believe we’ve hit those absolutely straight on. They'll make the decision to say 'Yes, we can' or they want to do something else. To be frank, I don't know where MLS is at, but it won't affect us in what we want to do."

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by NYguy

Obviously they would like to move up to MLS, but there was an oppurtunity at the Belmont site and they have Saudi Arabian backers with the money, so its not a matter of if they could get the stadium built, but if they will be allowed to, since the state hasn't decided who will develop the sites yet.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/...id/973?cc=5901

Cosmos sending a strong message to MLS


Posted by Jeff Carlisle
January 16, 2013

Sorry, but 25K seats for a NASL soccer team? Who is going to go an watch what is basically minor league soccer in the US?

[manchester united]

NYCFC in MLS in Queens and these Cosmos in NASL ( second level ) in Elmont.

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by manchester united

NYCFC in MLS in Queens and these Cosmos in NASL ( second level ) in Elmont.

25k is a lot for NASL, isn't it? I suppose they are planning on filling it with friendlies versus big teams or something, because nobody will show up to watch NY Cosmos vs Atlanta Silverbacks, my god.

[Duck From NY]

Nice design. 25k capacity sounds about right.

[mrnyc]

not a bad plan. its a decent stadium. but just as importantly it looks like they are wisely aiming low with the popular big box retail, so the site won't ever sit empty on non game days.

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by Duck From NY

Nice design. 25k capacity sounds about right.

For NASL? are you kidding? Sorry, but do you know how poor NASL is in terms of soccer quality. There is little chance they will come close to filling that thing for NASL games, not a chance they even make much over half.

[khaizer007]

I'm not sure how economically viable this project is considering how mediocre attendance at the more popular MLS stadiums already is. Sure they can make more money with events but if the other stadium is built in Flushing, the latter will be able to attract a bigger crowd considering its location and proximity to other venues so it will be tough to compete with that.... But we'll see

[NYguy]

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/un...s&ICID=HP_BN_1

New York Cosmos explain reasoning behind ambitious stadium project
Cosmos part-owner Seamus O’Brien sat down with Goal.com to explain the team's ambitions behind its $400 million stadium project in Belmont Park.






Jan 17, 2013
By Alex Labidou

The team's ownership plans on fully financing the stadium aspect of the project, which will be located in in Belmont Park, N.Y., a figure that is expected to land a bit over $200 million for the expected 25,000 seat arena. To put this in context, Red Bull Arena - the home to Major League Soccer's franchise in the New York area - cost around the same.

As exciting as these developments are, a very real question remains for the team that will play in the North American Soccer League next season. Is it a bit overambitious to invest that much into a club that isn't guaranteed entry into MLS? Cosmos' part-owner Seamus O’Brien doesn't believe so.

"This team is coming back 30 years after it last kicked a ball," O'Brien told Goal.com. "We have an unbelievable legacy and history. But history doesn't build you business." He continued to explain: "You have to start with very strong foundations as a business, as a team and in the community that you want to operate in."

For O'Brien and the Cosmos, the important objective is to create a financially stable operation, which is pivotal in light of the team's history. When the Cosmos initially relaunched their brand in 2010, part of the early complications included the fact that they were unable to guarantee funding for a soccer-specific stadium. Sites all over New York City were mentioned as possible stadium locations but there was never a concrete plan. Under new management, the team has finally solved that issue.

While O'Brien hints that the Cosmos would like to play in MLS, he believes that the club and its top-class facilities will attract fans regardless of which league it plays in. He also adds that the NASL has ambitious owners, which will likely see the league improve.

O'Brien defends the Cosmos' choice of location. He points to the fact that the team is joining an effort to renovate and create a major entertainment hub in the Belmont area. He claims that many of the major issues that face stadium development - such as transportation and infrastructure - are not an issue with the new location. He also said there were plenty of incentives provided by the state in developing in that area. In what could be interpreted as a slight knock towards MLS's current requirements, O'Brien states that the Cosmos' plan is convenient and economically viable. "We're responding to a request [by New York state and the Belmont area] rather than imposing what we want on something else," he said.

It's also important to remember that the Cosmos proposal isn't just an arena proposal. It can be looked at as an arena with a shopping center, or a shopping center with an arena. City Field will also have a shopping center, though much larger.

[Duck From NY]

Originally Posted by aquablue

For NASL? are you kidding? Sorry, but do you know how poor NASL is in terms of soccer quality. There is little chance they will come close to filling that thing for NASL games, not a chance they even make much over half.

-
Oh dear I assumed this was meant for MLS.

[NYguy]

http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/02/...gets-union-ok/

Flushing Meadows soccer stadium gets union OK





February 08, 2013

Three crucial unions have announced their support for a proposed Major League Soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, DNAinfo reported. The MLS estimated that the stadium could create up to 2,300 construction jobs, as well as 160 full-time jobs and 750 part-time jobs. The Hotel Trades Council, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and the service employees union, 32BJ SEIU, cited the job creation as the reason for their support.

“We are thrilled to have the support of unions who represent hundreds of thousands of working men and women,” MLS spokeswoman Risa Heller told DNAinfo. “They understand, as we do, what an important economic engine this stadium will be.”

The unions also argued that restaurants, bars and retail stores would see more business because of the stadium.

http://www.queenstribune.com/news/Ne...S-Stadium.html



http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2...2_10_05_q.html

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by NYguy

http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/02/...gets-union-ok/

Flushing Meadows soccer stadium gets union OK





February 08, 2013





http://www.queenstribune.com/news/Ne...S-Stadium.html



http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2...2_10_05_q.html

It appears very little usable green space will be eliminated given there is no parking around the stadium. Unless the pool is heavily used, the impact should be small on the area.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by aquablue

It appears very little usable green space will be eliminated given there is no parking around the stadium. Unless the pool is heavily used, the impact should be small on the area.

That pool isn't used at all. But people need something to fight, so you get something dramatic like this...


http://www.qchron.com/opinion/editor...b8c2233e5.html

Flushing Meadows soccer stadium must be stopped

January 31, 2013

Major League Soccer is doing its best to rush a misguided plan to build a stadium in Queens through all the hurdles it faces before Mayor Bloomberg leaves office. It cannot be allowed to succeed.

League officials have been given every opportunity to be forthcoming about the important details of their proposal and to counter their critics, and they refuse to do so. A similar project they got approved in Harrison, NJ, just over the Hudson River, has failed to live up to its promises and ended up shorting that town’s taxpayers at least $3.6 million. And, above all, their plan for a stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park would severely damage what remains the crown jewel of Queens, without enough benefit to residents.

The deal MLS seeks with the city would be a steal, literally, in all but the legal sense. It wants a $1 a year lease for up to 13 acres of public parkland — the classic deal politicians and private for-profit businesses cook up behind closed doors to take the citizens’ property without compensation.

That deal, which must be stopped, is at the heart of why MLS is in such a rush. If it doesn’t get public land essentially for free, the league will have to buy the 10 to 13 acres it needs for a 25,000 seat arena on the open market.

All that the public would get in exchange is 13 acres of new parkland somewhere else —but not all in one chunk — and the rehab of some existing soccer fields at Flushing Meadows, which should be a city job anyway. MLS also says it would invest tens of millions of dollars in the park, but it’s vague as to how and where, as it is on so many details, even when its president met with us last week.

[blacktrojan3921]

Why are they fighting to protect that pool? It looks like it hasn't been used for years as the water looks extremly dirty.