Ratner Wants Only Entertainment At Coliseum Hub, Rules Out Retail, Housing, Offices, Tech

Forest City Ratner Cos. Chair & CEO Bruce Ratner on Thursday said that housing, offices, stores or technology companies "aren't suitable for the acres of asphalt surrounding his proposed" Nassau Coliseum entertainment complex, despite previous plans calling for at least seven restaurants, according to James Madore of NEWSDAY. He said of the hub, "You have more limited choices. I guess I would have to say it should be sports and entertainment ... that's what is there already." Ratner said that Long Island "doesn't need more stores." He called the area "over retailed." The developer "touted the economic benefits of sports and entertainment facilities, saying, unlike offices and retail, 'It's growing, it's one of the few areas that's stayed pretty consistent ... I think that's probably the right orientation'" for the Hub. He said of other industries, "The others are really difficult. You can talk about that stuff but I don't see how it's doable" (NEWSDAY, 12/6).