Rendering Courtesy of Sterling Project Development
The redevelopment of Belmont Park includes an 18,000-seat arena for the Islanders, a new 435,000-square-foot retail and entertainment complex, a new hotel, and other community amenities.
By Forum Staff
The New York Islanders are coming back home to… the Island.
Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that Long Island’s beloved National Hockey League franchise will soon return to its roots at a year-round sports and entertainment destination at Belmont Park in Elmont, L.I.
New York Arena Partners, a joint venture among Sterling Equities, the Scott Malkin Group, Madison Square Garden and the Oak View Group, have been selected to lead a transformational $1 billion redevelopment of Belmont into an internationally recognized mixed-use facility for sports, entertainment, retail, and hospitality.
According to the administration, NYAP’s winning project features an 18,000-seat arena for the Isles, a new 435,000-square-foot retail and entertainment complex, a new hotel, and other community amenities.
The Belmont Park plan is the 10th proposal of Cuomo’s 2018 State of the State address.
“With the state-of-the-art redevelopment of Belmont Park, we are adding a crown jewel to the economic resurgence on Long Island. The return of the Islanders is exciting for all fans, bringing the storied franchise back to its rightful home,” Cuomo said. “The creation of this world-class entertainment destination will bring visitors from near and far, as we continue to transform the region and strengthen our economic momentum on Long Island.”
According to the administration and NYAP, the sports and entertainment arena is the centerpiece of the massive redevelopment project. The mixed-use facility will boast the best in operational systems like ice management, quality spectator sightlines, and generous team facilities. It will be constructed, Cuomo noted, with the expectation of hosting other major events, including concerts, college sports, conferences, family events and programming year-round.
According to NYAP, the new Belmont Park will include 435,000 square-feet of retail, recreation, and hospitality space. The retail village will be composed of pedestrian boulevards and squares, lined with a collection of unique stores and boutiques occupied by leading international, regional and local brands. NYAP promises that a full slate of guest services, exhibitions, pop-up installations and special events will complement the retail space; that the dining and entertainment opportunities at Belmont will range from sports bars to fine dining to artisanal offerings and prepared foods for take-away, and will be enhanced by leisure and athletic activities, such as a boutique movie theatre and intimate live performance venues.
“We look forward to developing an economic hub that Elmont and the rest of Long Island will be proud of,” said Jeff Wilpon, COO of the New York Mets and the executive vice president of Sterling Equities, on behalf of NYAP.
The new Belmont Park will also include:
Approximately 10,000 square-feet of office space;
New green space, public open space and streetscaping;
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educational programming for local students through NHL partner Everfi’s hockey-themed digital education course and Future Goals events in schools;
Uniquely tailored Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises program committing to state’s nation-leading goal of 30-percent MWBE contracts and six-percent disabled veterans;
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification; and
High-efficiency LED lighting and heating, air conditioning systems, water conservation and waste/recycling.
“The NYAP project is the first step in ensuring that Belmont Park can finally realize its full potential as an economic engine with collaborative input from community residents,” said State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans).
