Uniondale, NY – In another significant step forward in transforming barren parking lots surrounding NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum into a new vibrant live, work, play community, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced the members of the Nassau HUB Community Benefits Advisory Committee in coordination with the development team, BSE Global and RXR Realty. The Committee is comprised of 15 appointed community leaders and representatives and co-chaired by Dorothy Goosby, Senior Councilmember, Town of Hempstead, and Kevin Law, President and CEO, Long Island Association.
For today’s announcement, held at the NYCB LIVE Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the County Executive was joined by public officials, including: Hempstead Town Supervisor, Laura Gillen; Nassau County Legislator, Siela Bynoe; Nassau County Legislator, Thomas McKevitt; Mayor of Hempstead Village, Don Ryan; and Mayor of Garden City, Brian Daughney. Other appointed members of the Committee in attendance included: Uniondale Community Land Trust Board President, Paul Gibson; Nostrand Gardens Civic Association President, Pearl Jacobs; Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition Facilitator, Jeannine Maynard; Hempstead Town Supervisor Deputy Chief of Staff, Rebecca Sinclair; and Nassau County Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, Evlyn Tsimis.
“Investing in the HUB means investing in our local communities. It is vital that our residents reap tangible benefits from this game-changing project that transforms the acres of pavement surrounding the Nassau Coliseum,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “The Community Benefits Advisory Committee will help identify the real needs of surrounding neighborhoods and is a cornerstone of our efforts to engage community stakeholders. I want to thank all of the Advisory Committee members for their commitment to this essential initiative.”
“Bringing the community into this process early will help ensure success of the HUB project,” said Senior Councilmember Dorothy Goosby. “Our residents and businesses are ready to see this development and real investment in neighboring communities.”
“The long-awaited redevelopment of the Nassau HUB is finally happening,” said LIA President and CEO Kevin Law. “I’m pleased to be here today and to play a role in this important effort to engage community stakeholders.”
“We are looking forward to growing the community impact of the Coliseum with the development of the surrounding property,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global. “Thank you to all of the local leadership for their passion toward making this project beneficial for our neighbors.”
“At RXR, we believe that we are re successful as a company when the communities where we operate are also successful,” said Scott Rechler, Chairman and CEO of RXR Realty. “We look forward to working with the Advisory Committee and the County to create a comprehensive and meaningful 21st century community benefits agreement that maximizes impact for the surrounding communities.”
"Bold leadership and vision is needed to bring transformative and smart growth redevelopment to the Nassau County HUB. All options must be considered in order to reach the common goal of building a vibrant local economy," said Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney. "I look forward to working together with County Executive Curran, Senior Councilwoman Goosby, and with business leaders, community leaders and other local elected officials as part of the Nassau HUB Community Benefits Advisory Committee to develop a forward-thinking HUB which will attract residents to live, work and play.”
The Nassau HUB Community Benefits Advisory Committee is tasked with informing, recommending, and advising on the Nassau HUB Community Benefits Plan, including identifying how best to allocate funding and the total value of benefits. Appointments to the Committee were made by: Nassau County Executive, Laura Curran; Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer, Richard Nicolello; Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader, Kevan Abrahams; Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Laura Gillen and the Hempstead Town Board members.
The Community Benefits Advisory Committee and Community Benefits Plan are contemplated by the Development Plan Agreement (DPA) between the County and the development team. The DPA, unanimously approved by the County Legislature in December of 2018 and signed by the County Executive in January, states that for every square foot of built-out space at the HUB, the developers will commit one dollar towards community benefit initiatives. This is expected to result in $60 million to $75 million for the communities surrounding the project site.
The Nassau HUB Community Benefits Plan will be designed to maximize impact for areas in and around the Nassau HUB development by collaborating with local governments and civic and non-profit organization to address the following:
Veterans, at-risk youth, and other vulnerable populations
Local hiring and MWBE participation
Job training and job creation
Integration of local businesses and supporting local entrepreneurs
Youth programs
Environment and sustainability
Uniondale School District
Mobility and connectivity
Local first responders
The Advisory Committee will engage additional community stakeholders to address the following matters: workforce development; youth and education; environment and sustainability; transportation and infrastructure; and business development and economic growth.
The Committee consists of 15 members:
Co-Chairs:
Hon. Dorothy Goosby, Senior Councilmember, Town of Hempstead
Kevin Law, LIA President and CEO
Members:
Hon. Siela Bynoe, Nassau County Legislator
Hon. Erin King Sweeney, Town of Hempstead Councilmember
Hon. Thomas McKevitt, Nassau County Legislator
Hon. Brian Daughney, Mayor of Garden City
Hon. Don Ryan, Mayor of Hempstead Village
Hon. Scott Strauss, Mayor of Mineola
Rebecca Sinclair, Deputy Chief of Staff, Hempstead Town Supervisor
Evlyn Tsimis, NC DCE for Economic Development
Matthew Aracich, Building Trades & Construction Council of Nassau & Suffolk
Paul Gibson, Uniondale Community Land Trust
Pearl Jacobs, Nostrand Gardens Civic Association
Jeannine Maynard, Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition
Walter Skinner, East Meadow Chamber of Commerce