Cosmos stadium proposal discussed in Elmont

A meeting was held Monday to discuss plans for a New York Cosmos soccer stadium at Belmont Park in Elmont.
The team wants to build a world-class 25,000-seat soccer stadium, a hotel and retail complex in Belmont Park. Cosmos officials claim the project will create 500 construction jobs, 3,000 permanent jobs and $200 million in annual revenue.
Residents and those who work in Elmont told News 12 that they think the project could boost the economy and help those that are looking for work.
However, Elmont East End Civic Association leader Patrick Nicolosi says, "every Islander fan should be outraged this conversation is happening."
He says Nassau dropped the ball in its effort to keep the Islanders from leaving Long Island and that the Cosmos are a "bad alternative."
"There's not going to be any jobs generated with a stadium. They're only going to play 17 home games and the stadium is only going to be empty 348 days a year," says Nicolosi.
Cosmos officials will make their presentation to residents at a public meeting on May 7 in Floral Park. Empire State Development will have the final say about the fate of the proposed soccer stadium.