The famous American Soccer Club, New York Cosmos, declared plans of building a privately funded, 25,000-seater stadium near Belmont Park Race Track in Nassau County.
Plans for the stadium follow the team's comeback announcement in 2010. Initially the team was to play as a franchisee of Major Soccer League, popularly called MLS. However, in 2012, Cosmos reverted and decided to play for The North American Soccer League (NASL). The team announced that it will reunite to play again in the 2013 home games.
The $400 million project plans were submitted to the Empire State Development Corporation that will pass the final plans for the stadium later this year. The 400 acre property on which the stadium is slated to be built lies east of NYC, reports Fox Sports.
The development of the stadium could be an economic booster for the Nassau County as the area is facing a downturn. The Cosmos project will create around 500 construction jobs and spawn approximately 3000 permanent employment opportunities. The project includes plans of a huge retail space along with nine restaurants and a hotel with a 4.3 acre park, reports New York Times.
The MLS also proposes to build a stadium at Flushing Meadows in Corona Park, Queens. Local residents of the area have opposed the proposal as the stadium would take up most of the city-park area, reports The New York Times.
However, MLS is still in talks of developing the stadium.
''We continue our discussions with a variety of potential ownership groups, all who are very interested in being involved with the division I soccer league in North America,'' Dan Courtemanche, spokesperson for MLS told Fox Sports.
On the other hand, Cosmos' proposition is in the good books of the government. Senator Jack Martins called the project an exciting opportunity and a game changer for the area.
Cosmos was the strongest franchise that played for the NASL until it dissolved in 1984.With the introduction of star player- Pelé; the team acquired the title of "The most glamorous team in world football".
