Legislature unanimously grants go-ahead for hub development

Teri West
A rendering of what the Nassau Hub may look like. (Photo courtesy of BSE Global)

The Nassau County Legislature approved BSE Global and RXR Realty as developers for the Nassau Hub around Uniondale’s Coliseum in a unanimous vote Monday, giving them the go-ahead to create and submit plans for the property.

BSE Global and RXR Realty are creating a joint proposal for the space, which they intend to be a new Long Island downtown complete with apartment complexes for young adults, a Northwell “Innovation Center,” retail outlets and hotels.

“Yesterday’s unanimous vote on the HUB development signifies Nassau County is ready for the land around the Nassau Coliseum to become a destination,” County Executive Laura Curran said in a statement Tuesday. “The Legislature and I can celebrate this historic vote as we work together to make live-work-play development a reality in this county.”

The 19-0 vote Monday amended the Coliseum lease and approved a development plan agreement, giving the two companies the exclusive rights to develop the space.

“I think it’s our best chance to come up with a realistic, viable plan to develop the property, so I think that’s why we all supported it,” said Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park).

The Nassau Coliseum reopened in April 2017. It hosts the Long Island Nets and some New York Islanders games and also presents concerts with artists that have included Billy Joel and U2.

A 72-acre paved lot currently surrounds it, most of which is now BSE Global and RXR Realty’s to develop, Nicolello said.

One intention for the hub is to draw young professionals to Long Island, RXR Realty CEO and Chairman Scott Rechler said at the Legislature in November.

“Millennials, they can’t afford current housing on Long Island so they leave and live elsewhere,” he said.

Northwell intends to be the site’s anchor tenant with a center of up to 225,000 square feet.

The companies have a community benefits plan, which would send some of their profits into the surrounding community, Nicolello said.

Investments could include job programs, parks and schools, Nicollelo said.

There is also an agreement that construction will be done by union labor, he said.

The developers will have to go to the Town of Hempstead for zoning approval.

Share this Article