Barclays Center Developer To Conduct Study On Nassau Coliseum's Future

Nassau County Exec Edward Mangano is "seeking advice from developer Bruce Ratner, who built the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on the future of the aging" Nassau Coliseum, according to Randi Marshall of NEWSDAY. Ratner on Tuesday said that he will "spend the first half of 2013 assessing the Coliseum." He said that he will "see if it can be transformed into a competitive, more viable arena, through better marketing, potential sponsorships and possible renovations." He said that he is "doing the study for free." County officials "provided no details on who would pay for a revamped arena or how much any renovations would cost." Ratner noted he "didn't expect razing the arena would be an option." He also "suggested that a full-size arena like the Coliseum wouldn't work without a professional sports team." Developers and other officials "suggested that a venue earmarked for college sports, preseason games or minor league teams, in addition to other entertainment options, could have 8,000 to 12,000 seats" (NEWSDAY, 11/21).