Sierra Club offers positive uses for Nassau Hub
- Thomas Tittmann
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
In place of the Las Vegas Sands proposal to erect a casino at the Nassau Hub, here are 7 outstanding alternative ideas suggested by Harvey Miller of the Long Island
“We shouldn't just be there to oppose bad ideas but, to work to eliminate other bad proposed ideas, this may be an opportunity to suggest, hopefully in detail, ideas that would benefit the area in ways that most people would totally support."
Some ideas:
1. Advanced Medical and Research Campus
Expand on the presence of the nearby cancer center and Hofstra’s medical program.
Attract partnerships with Northwell Health, NYU Langone, or Memorial Sloan Kettering for an advanced treatment and research hub.
Benefits:
High-skilled jobs
Raises tax base
Low traffic impact relative to peak venue use
Bolsters Hofstra collaboration
Enhances public perception and property values
2. Innovation & Education District
Create a “Nassau Innovation Village” anchored by:
A STEM-focused satellite campus (Hofstra, Cornell Tech, SUNY)
Tech incubators and biotech startups
Small business labs or co-working space
Benefits:
Clean economic growth
Partnership-ready
Attracts young talent
Politically attractive as future-focused
3. Mixed-Use Civic and Cultural Center
Repurpose part of the land into:
An outdoor performance space
Public parkland and green space
A community recreation center (ice rink, pools, youth spaces)
Benefits:
Enhances quality of life
Draws families and culture seekers
Low environmental impact
Minimal traffic stress
Works well with weekend events
4. Clean Tech and Green Energy Hub
Partner with NY State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) or federal climate initiatives to build:
A solar research and deployment center
Battery storage innovation space
EV research and charging infrastructure lab
Benefits:
Politically high-value (green jobs, climate funding)
Big state and federal grants available
Doesn’t burden local services
5. Sports and Health Wellness Complex
A high-end multi-sport training complex, combining:
Physical therapy
Performance science
Community fitness access
Could be marketed to both public and private athletic programs, plus Hofstra’s kinesiology department
Benefits:
Year-round use
Revenue from clinics, events, and research
Family-friendly, traffic-controlled
6. Digital Media and Film Production Studio
Given Long Island’s proximity to NYC but lack of large-scale studio space:
Convert the Coliseum into a sound stage and post-production campus
Incentivize production companies to move operations here
Benefits:
High-income, low-disruption industry
Adds to cultural prestige
Easily regulated in terms of traffic and land use
7. Senior Living + Workforce Housing Hybrid
Develop thoughtfully zoned housing for seniors and essential workers with walkable amenities and medical access
Could include community gardens, wellness centers, and green corridors to Hofstra
Benefits:
Politically appealing (addresses housing + aging population)
Predictable, non-peak traffic
Increases stable tax base”
Previous Nassau Hub Development Plans
The above image serves as this post's thumbnail and was part of the following 2019 development plan for the Nassau Hub:
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