Stadium or shopping?

Two plans vie for residents’ approval

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Two proposals have been submitted by two different groups for construction at Belmont Park in Elmont: either a 28-acre retail and recreation center with a soccer field, or a public soccer stadium. The plans were submitted to the Empire State Development Corp. in January. Both would be privately financed.

The proposal for the retail and recreation center was submitted by the Garden-City based Engel Burman Group and Basser-Kaufman, of Woodmere. The plan includes a large-scale supermarket, restaurants, stores and a community center.

County Legislator Carrie Solages, of Elmont, said he believes the Burman-Basser-Kaufman proposal will best fulfill the needs of the community — and change the lifestyles of residents. “This plan is a game changer,” said Solages. “It’s more in line with what the people in the community have been asking for. Right now, people in Elmont have to travel to Franklin Square to visit a full-scale supermarket.”

The second proposal was submitted by the New York Cosmos soccer franchise. It includes plans for a 25,000-seat outdoor stadium, a 175-room hotel, restaurants and stores.