Long Island casino project could preserve arena

A proposal from the Las Vegas Sands casino organization and New York-based developer RXR proposes a mixed-use development surrounding the Nassau Coliseum arena on Long Island in Uniondale, New York.

Renderings of the project display the Coliseum as standing amid the surrounding proposed development. However, the arena no longer is home to its longtime flagship tenant, the New York Islanders.

The ability of tenantless stadiums and arenas to operate at a profit rarely is seen across the spectrum of professional sports in the United States or Canada. Most recently, the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, seems only able to extend its life by a few years after its lead tenant the Edmonton Oilers moved out in 2016.

The Sands organization and the current owner of the Nassau Coliseum, Nassau Live Center LLC, perhaps see a brighter future for the structure as a concert venue, allowing it to avoid full demolition.

In a January news release, Las Vegas Sands announced its intention “to pursue the development of a multibillion-dollar flagship hospitality, entertainment and casino project” on parking lot property surrounding the arena.

The company says it has entered into agreements to purchase the long-term lease of the site currently home to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. “These transactions, which still require certain approvals, would grant the company control of up to 80 acres” of property, it adds.

“We strongly believe Long Island can be home to one of the region’s great entertainment and hospitality developments,” Las Vegas Sands CEO Robert G. Goldstein says. “Our ability to put forward a compelling and competitive proposal will only succeed if we engage with the Long Island community and, in collaboration, develop a proposal that reflects the input of all those involved.”

Las Vegas Sands says it envisions four- and five-star hotel rooms and “a world-class live performance venue honoring the long legacy of live music at the Nassau Coliseum.” The company adds, “Other amenities would include high-quality casino gaming, which is planned to represent less than 10 percent of the project’s total square footage, a luxurious day spa, swimming pool and health club, and a variety of other entertainment programming.”

Also involved in the proposal is RXR Realty, which Sands says will work with local Long Island communities to “co-create a development plan and bid that ensures that the new integrated entertainment and hospitality resort maximizes economic opportunity, helps to build stronger communities, and protects the quality of life for all Long Islanders.”

“The message has been overwhelmingly clear that Long Islanders want a global renowned entertainment destination that creates well-paying jobs and new opportunities at the Nassau Hub," RXR Chair and CEO Scott Rechler says. "But the challenge for turning this vision into reality has always been the commercial viability of a site encumbered by a nearly obsolete half-century-old arena.”

Las Vegas Sands says it has a “well-established and industry-leading environmental sustainability program, Sands ECO360,” which will lead to the developer to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the Long Island development.

New York YIMBY adds, “The announcement did not specify if Las Vegas Sands intends to demolish Nassau Coliseum or renovate and redevelop the aging property.”

The Nassau Coliseum opened in 1972 and hosted the Islanders until they began playing in Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2015 and then UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, in 2021. Subsequently, the Nassau Coliseum has hosted UFC and tennis events and serves as the home of a National Lacrosse League team.

The Las Vegas Sands proposal joins others “vying for rights to construct a new, full-scale casino in downstate New York. State agencies will only allow the construction of three full-scale casinos in the downstate region, making the stakes incredibly high for competing teams.”