4 developers apply for Nassau Coliseum-area project

Four developers have applied to become the master developer of the 77 acres surrounding Nassau Coliseum, county spokesman Brian Nevin said Tuesday.

Patchogue-based Baldassano Architecture submitted an application, managing partner Alex Badalamenti confirmed Tuesday. Garden City developer Breslin Realty also submitted its qualifications, a source said. They will compete with Plainview developer Donald Monti and Syosset developer Ed Blumenfeld.

Nevin said he did not have a timetable for a decision.

The winning developer will be asked to negotiate with New York Islanders owner Charles Wang, who has said he will not stay at the current arena past his lease's expiration in 2015.

Baldassano is partnering with development consultant Walter Paulick, who said his team is looking at a portion of the site that does not include the Coliseum.

"We do not wish to get involved between the Islanders and Nassau County," Paulick said.

Breslin did not return calls for comment. Blumenfeld spokesman Gary Lewi said Wang's plans are unknown.

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"There has been no indication as to whether or not he is an interested participant in this, or whether he is allowing the clock to run out," Lewi said.

Islanders senior vice president Michael Picker did not return calls seeking comment.

Monti said he hopes to build a new arena, along with bioscience research and development facilities, and a convention center, He said he hopes to develop links between the Coliseum project and the village of Hempstead, potentially using bike lanes, shuttles or light rail.

Monti said his submission to the county's request for qualifications, or RFQ, outlined a development team that includes Manhattan real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, Spector Group, an architect with offices in Manhattan and Woodbury, and sports facility architect Populous, formerly known as HOK Sport, which designed Yankee Stadium and Citi Field.

Blumenfeld did not disclose his partners Tuesday.

When he submitted a proposal for the site in 2005, Blumenfeld partnered with the New York Mets and their umbrella company, Sterling Equities. A source said Sterling had been approached by an unidentified developer to take part in the Hub RFQ, but declined because of its focus on redeveloping Willets Point across from Citi Field. The source noted that the Mets' owners could become involved later in the process. Sterling declined to comment.

Monti said his plans would emphasize community involvement and financing would include his partners and potentially federal and state funds.

"I love when people say it's impossible," he said, adding that he planned to reach out to the Islanders if he wins. "I deliver. We're going to keep them here -- no ifs, ands or buts."

With Jim Baumbach