Sands Coliseum project can move forward for now, after appeal court's stay

Las Vegas Sands can continue to move forward with its plans for a $4 billion commercial redevelopment at  the Nassau Coliseum — at least for now.

An appellate judge stayed a ruling Thursday by Supreme Court Judge Sarika Kapoor that Nassau County improperly noticed meetings where it was considering transferring a 99-year lease for the former Uniondale sports complex, pending a hearing just before Thanksgiving.

Hofstra University officials sued Nassau County last spring citing problems in how officials came to terms with Sands, which paved the way for a "multi-billion-dollar flagship hospitality, entertainment and casino project" on a portion of the site that houses the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. 

Kapoor nullified the lease and the votes that led up to it, forcing the county to start the process over, all while awarding Hofstra some of its attorney fees.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — who championed the Sands' entry into the community — didn't speak after Kapoor's ruling on Thursday. But he had strong words for the judge after an appeals court stayed Kapoor's ruling.

"For far too long, the Coliseum site known as The Hub has been languishing in a twilight zone of inaction," Blakeman said, in a release. "We are grateful that the appellate division granted a stay of the lower court's decision, and we're confident the lower court's ruling will be overturned.

"I will continue to stand for the proposal by the Sands to develop a world-class luxury hotel, spa, entertainment center and casino, which will bring $5 billion in construction, good-paying permanent jobs, and tax relief for our residents."