Neighbors rally against proposed Cosmos soccer stadium

Elmont residents rallied Saturday against the proposal to build a 25,000-seat soccer stadium for the New York Cosmos in their community.

More than a dozen people gathered on Huntley Road to make their opposition heard.

"We have come to a consensus that a minor league soccer stadium or a stadium of any size is not conducive to our community," said Tammie Williams, of the Parkhurst Civic Association. "We are a suburban community and as you can see, this is a residential neighborhood, very quiet, close-knit. We don't want our quality of life affected."

Instead, residents say they want development like retail shops, restaurants and a recreation center.

The New York Cosmos say the proposal includes a hotel, nine restaurants, a grocery store, movie theater, shops and entertainment. The Cosmos say the development will create thousands of jobs and generate tax revenue for the area, and would be privately funded.

Some residents are in favor of the Cosmos proposal. "It's a win-win," says Pat Nicolos, of the Elmont East End Civic Association. "We want to make it a destination, we don't want to make it another dead end. It's ridiculous, there's box stores all over Long Island, and it's time to bring something new and exciting to Long Island, and the Cosmos bring that."

Residents are still waiting on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to make a decision on the proposal.