County Executive Ed Mangano’s unveiled his latest plan to revitalize the Nassau Hub today – a potentially even more ambitious proposal than his last.

Under the new plan Mangano submitted to the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, the Nassau Hub would be home to a completely rebuilt Nassau Coliseum. Along with the new coliseum, the 77-acre site would be home to a bioscience innovation center, research and development expo center, office space situated above retail stores, and several residential housing options.

Other attractions would include a minor league ballpark, multi-purpose exposition center and track and field facility. A parking garage located behind the current Long Island Marriott would handle parking for the entire facility.

Mangano’s last attempt to redevelop the Hub failed after the public voted down financing the construction of a new Coliseum. This new proposal however, would be paid for through funds from the state government and private developers. By submitting the proposal to the regional economic development council, the county is hoping to have the project somewhat paid for through the $800 million that has been made available by the state for regionally significant projects. The county will seek $253 million in total funds from the state for infrastructure improvements necessary before development can begin. For the first-round of funding, Mangano is seeking $7 million from the state for the design and construction of a research and development expo center on the site.

In addition, Mangano’s Accelerate Nassau Now plan calls for increased manufacturing options at the former Grumman property in Bethpage and Belmont Raceway in Elmont. Nassau has received interest from a serious developer to establish a soccer stadium complimented by mixed-use development, which would enhance the current raceway. Mangano also reiterated his support for a casino at Belmont, a measure he said would create thousands of additional local jobs and result in hundreds of millions of dollars invested in local schools, the state, the county and the community.

Considering the Hub’s close proximity, Hofstra University is a major stakeholder in what happens at the site.

The Coliseum has already provided the university with the nation’s only broadcasting program used by a professional sports team. A bioscience innovation center could provide an even greater boost to the school, much like the collaboration between Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory. However, Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz declined to discuss the project because he is a co-chairman of the regional economic development council charged with reviewing the proposal.

More breaking news