By Eden Laikin
County Executive Edward P. Mangano today proposed building Nassau’s first ever minor-league baseball stadium, most likely on the grounds of the old Mitchell Field naval base in Uniondale.
Mangano said the development proposal would bring revenue and new jobs to the County while at the same time providing a much needed venue for low-cost family-friendly sports entertainment.
“Nassau County residents deserve to have a venue that provides America’s favorite pastime right here in their own backyard,” Mangano said. “We will be launching an effort to build a stadium and get an operator for 2011-2012 timeframe.”
If approved by the County Legislature, the $11.7 million project would be funded by the person or persons chosen to build and operate the stadium and by the revenue it generates.
“We anticipate the debt service to be paid by the public-private partnership,” Mangano added. “The county borrows the money to build the stadium and the private operator pays back the loan through revenue. The intention is to not have taxpayers pay for the stadium.”
Mangano said the County would also benefit from sales tax revenue.
“Having a minor league ball team in Nassau will make our County an even more attract destination for visitors,” he said.
As for a team that would call the new stadium home, Mangano said he’s had conversations with the Atlantic League, “who expressed serious interest in placing a team here.”
Either way, he said, a new team would be established. “And their first game ever would be here in Nassau.”
The ballpark proposal is yet another example of improvements the Mangano administration is working to provide at county-owned and operated ball fields throughout Nassau.
The newest proposal comes as part of an amended Capital Project plan for next year. Mangano said he hopes the design phase will begin in January with an RFP for a stadium operator to follow.
The County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the stadium proposal on Dec 6.
A minor league stadium was first proposed in 2006 by the owners of the New York Mets in their proposal to develop the vacant acres around the Nassau Coliseum. Former County Executive Tom Suozzi instead chose a proposal submitted by Islanders owner Charles Wang, who agreed to “help” someone build a minor-league ballpark.
County Executive Edward P. Mangano today proposed building Nassau’s first ever minor-league baseball stadium, most likely on the grounds of the old Mitchell Field naval base in Uniondale.
Mangano said the development proposal would bring revenue and new jobs to the County while at the same time providing a much needed venue for low-cost family-friendly sports entertainment.
“Nassau County residents deserve to have a venue that provides America’s favorite pastime right here in their own backyard,” Mangano said. “We will be launching an effort to build a stadium and get an operator for 2011-2012 timeframe.”
If approved by the County Legislature, the $11.7 million project would be funded by the person or persons chosen to build and operate the stadium and by the revenue it generates.
“We anticipate the debt service to be paid by the public-private partnership,” Mangano added. “The county borrows the money to build the stadium and the private operator pays back the loan through revenue. The intention is to not have taxpayers pay for the stadium.”
Mangano said the County would also benefit from sales tax revenue.
“Having a minor league ball team in Nassau will make our County an even more attract destination for visitors,” he said.
As for a team that would call the new stadium home, Mangano said he’s had conversations with the Atlantic League, “who expressed serious interest in placing a team here.”
Either way, he said, a new team would be established. “And their first game ever would be here in Nassau.”
The ballpark proposal is yet another example of improvements the Mangano administration is working to provide at county-owned and operated ball fields throughout Nassau.
The newest proposal comes as part of an amended Capital Project plan for next year. Mangano said he hopes the design phase will begin in January with an RFP for a stadium operator to follow.
The County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the stadium proposal on Dec 6.
A minor league stadium was first proposed in 2006 by the owners of the New York Mets in their proposal to develop the vacant acres around the Nassau Coliseum. Former County Executive Tom Suozzi instead chose a proposal submitted by Islanders owner Charles Wang, who agreed to “help” someone build a minor-league ballpark.
