N.Y. Cosmos propose Queens soccer stadium, as part of $400M complex

The New York Cosmos have revealed plans to develop a $400 million mixed-use complex, including restaurants, retail space, a hotel and a soccer stadium on two sites near Belmont Park, which could rival previously announced plans to bring a Major League Soccer stadium in Queens, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Cosmos, which achieved prominence in the 1970s with Brazilian star Pelé, want to bring a privately financed 25,000-seat stadium to state-owned land near the Belmont Park horse-racing track.  In September, the state issued a call for developers for the two Nassau County sites, totaling 36 acres.

And the Cosmos’ plan has already seen some political support. “The idea of the stadium with the retail component and the hotel is exciting,” State Senator Jack Martins, a Nassau County Republican, said. “It certainly has a much greater upside [than solely retail] with the benefit to the county and state in terms of economic development and tax revenue.”

But the plan could upend a controversial proposal for another Major League Soccer stadium at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, as some doubt whether Queens could support multiple professional soccer teams.

But so far both developers appear undeterred. “This city is big enough to deal with three soccer teams. In London, they’ve got seven or eight,” Seamus O’Brien, chairman and CEO of the New York Cosmos said. “I say bring it on.” [WSJ] –Christopher Cameron