On Long Island, Robert Brodsky reports N.Y.-based developer Blumenfeld Development Group will be allowed to "proceed with a lawsuit arguing" that Forest City Ratner illegally "ousted them from a partnership agreement to build a retail and entertainment plaza next to the Nassau Coliseum." State Supreme Court Justice Vito DeStefano "denied nearly all claims filed by Forest City, which is asking the court to declare they are not partners" with Blumenfeld. Brodsky notes Ratner is spending $260.5M to "redevelop the Coliseum and build a retail and entertainment center" (NEWSDAY, 2/24).
OPEN HOUSE: The Oilers yesterday announced that Live Nation has "agreed to work with Oilers Entertainment Group to bring acts" to Rogers Place Arena, which will open in the fall. Rogers Place VP & GM Susan Darrington said that they are "looking at doing between 30-45 days of entertainment in the first year to officially open the arena, including concerts, community and corporate events, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a public open house." OEG Vice Chair & CEO Bob Nicholson added that there is "nothing stopping them from looking to other promoters to bring in musical talent" (EDMONTON SUN, 2/24).
CHEW ON THAT: In Hartford, Carlesso & Goode report the City Council has "approved a deal allowing Hartford to kick in" $5.5M for cost overruns at the new Dunkin' Donuts Park, "clearing the way for work to be completed at the site." Under the agreement, developer DoNo Hartford would give up $2.3M in fees and "make additional annual tax payments of $225,000 on the entire Downtown North development, a mixed-use project that includes the stadium." The higher tax payments "would extend over 25 years." The Double-A Eastern League Hartford Yard Goats would contribute $2M and "give up $500,000 that the city would have paid for designated team parking" (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/24).
