Nassau, Sands announce agreement

Bid to build casino, entertainment center in HUB advances with lease subject to Legislature’s OK

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced a lease agreement between Nassau and Las Vegas Sands to develop a casino and entertainment resort at the site of the Coliseum and surrounding 72-acre site known as the Nassau Hub on Wednesday.

The agreement, subject to approval from the Republican-controlled county Legislature, would permit the Sands to develop a $4 billion resort that includes a casino, hotel, live entertainment venue, community centers, restaurants and more.

Upon approval by the Legislature, Blakeman said, Sands will provide Nassau County with $54 million.

The county executive expressed his confidence in legislative approval and said the revenue this proposal could generate has significant potential.

“My friends that I’ve talked to in the casino industry have told me that this could become the highest-grossing casino in America,” Blakeman said. “Let me stress, that we want to use that money for good things, to stabalize our tax plan, make sure we don’t have to raise taxes, to make sure that we have quality construction jobs that will last for at least the next five years.”

When the casino opens, Blakeman