The four companies bidding to redevelop Nassau Coliseum and its surrounding property yesterday "announced new details of their plans," including the addition of an AFL team and a "proposal to reduce traffic backlogs on Hempstead Turnpike," according to Robert Brodsky of NEWSDAY. With less than three weeks before Nassau County Exec Edward Mangano "selects a winning bidder," the developers used a meeting with Long Island Real Estate Group to "disclose new elements of their proposals." Forest City Ratner Chair & CEO Bruce Ratner announced that an AFL team "would relocate to the Coliseum," but he did not identify which franchise. Ratner also said that a pro lacrosse team "would play at the arena, joining a minor league hockey squad." Additionally, Nets and Barclays Center Senior VP & Chief Communications Officer Barry Baum said that Nets coach Jason Kidd would "host an annual clinic at the Coliseum for local high school coaches." Meanwhile, MSG President & CEO Hank Ratner "disclosed plans to improve traffic flow into the Coliseum." MSG would "charge visitors in advance for parking, so that entrance gates that can clog traffic along Hempstead Turnpike can be removed." Blumenfeld Development Group in its bid plans to offer Nassau a lease payment of 20% of "the arena's net operating income, or $350,000, whichever is greater." The other bidders "declined to say how much they will pay the county in rent." Blumenfeld also would "create a digital memorial and exhibit to Nassau veterans and would sell the naming rights to the arena for an estimated $750,000" (NEWSDAY, 6/27).
