Nassau Legislature approves amended Coliseum contract

The Nassau County Legislature voted Monday to approve a modified deal to renovate the Nassau Coliseum, but the lease amendment does not include a measure that many community members had called for.

News 12 Staff

Apr 14, 2015, 7:57 AM

Updated 3,312 days ago

Share:

Nassau Legislature approves amended Coliseum contract
The Nassau County Legislature voted Monday to approve a modified deal to renovate the Nassau Coliseum, but the lease amendment does not include a measure that many community members had called for.
As News 12 has reported, developer Forest City Ratner is under contract to renovate the aging Coliseum and turn it into a state-of-the-art facility. The Legislature voted 17-2 Monday to pass an amendment to the lease that will up the cost of the renovations and allow foreign investors to contribute to the project.
Some Uniondale residents and local civic leaders had rallied Monday, calling for the Legislature to use Forest City's contract amendment as leverage to get the developer to invest in the surrounding community. Protesters say Forest City Ratner promised a community benefit agreement, or CBA, to provide money for jobs, beautification projects and other improvements in the area. But protesters claim that once the lease was signed, Ratner reneged on the CBA.
Forest City Ratner representatives say the firm never agreed to a CBA, and both the Legislature and County Executive Ed Mangano approved the Coliseum lease without a CBA provision.
However, County Legislator Kevan Abrahams told News 12 that Ratner made a verbal commitment to provide the community with improvement money.
Protesters gathered on the steps of the Nassau County building Monday and then headed to the County Legislature to make their views heard.
But the deal that the Legislature approved Monday does not include the CBA provision. Kevan Abrahams was among the two lawmakers that voted against the deal.


More from News 12
3:11
STORM WATCH: Showers, thunderstorms this morning ahead of sunny breaks this afternoon

STORM WATCH: Showers, thunderstorms this morning ahead of sunny breaks this afternoon

3:08
Pro-Palestinian rally set for today at Stony Brook train station; parking lot closed

Pro-Palestinian rally set for today at Stony Brook train station; parking lot closed

0:15
20-year-old man accused of breaking into home in Riverhead

20-year-old man accused of breaking into home in Riverhead

0:26
Riverhead police rescue 5 from boat in Peconic Bay; drone used to track boat

Riverhead police rescue 5 from boat in Peconic Bay; drone used to track boat

1:38
Flip Circus comes to Smith Haven Mall, Walt Whitman Shops

Flip Circus comes to Smith Haven Mall, Walt Whitman Shops

1:43
Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

1:27
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

2:33
Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

2:09
Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

0:19
Police: Man shot during argument in Mt. Sinai

Police: Man shot during argument in Mt. Sinai

0:43
Huntington woman honored with citation for devotion to town ahead of 100th birthday

Huntington woman honored with citation for devotion to town ahead of 100th birthday

0:26
Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

1:47
Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

1:39
Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

0:44
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

2:27
Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

1:38
Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

1:54
Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

2:23
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park