New York, NY – In a move that may have staggered the MLS to Queens initiative, the New York Cosmos announced Wednesday  their stadium plan.

On Monday night, ThisIsCosmosCountry reported that the Cosmos had submitted a stadium bid for Belmont. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the the Cosmos confirmed their bid and stated more details will be provided by Wednesday. So what is the stadium plan about?

“We plan to develop an iconic project for the region and build a state-of-the-art stadium that will make Nassau County and the entire region proud,” said Seamus O’Brien, Chairman and CEO of the New York Cosmos. “Belmont is an ideal location and a win-win for everyone involved. Nassau County and Elmont will realize much needed economic growth, and local residents will have a year-round premier destination they can call their own.”

The Cosmos privately-funded economic development proposal consists of building a world-class 25,000-seat professional soccer stadium. In addition of bringing in new jobs and economic development within the community, the Cosmos are also donating an additional $2.5 million for the redesign and development of community soccer fields. As stated in their Press Release:

“The proposed development, which will be privately-funded, was formally delivered to the Empire State Development Corporation on January 11th  and is expected to cost more than $400 million. It would create more than 500 construction jobs and over 3,000 full-time permanent jobs. Construction alone would generate more than $500 million, concentrated in Nassau County, plus more than $200 million in revenue annually upon completion.”

If approved by the State of New York, construction can begin as early as 2014. With the expectation of the stadium being completed by the end of 2015, the New York Cosmos can be playing their first professional match at home by 2016. The construction will be led by Turner Construction, which provided services for the new Yankee Stadium and the Barclays Center and McKissack and McKissack, which provided construction for Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Washington Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

One advocate of the Cosmos Stadium plan is Sandra Smith, Chair of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development. She expressed, “The NY Cosmos plan is a big win for Belmont and Elmont. Their proposal revitalizes our community, creates jobs and expands the tax base. I can only think of one word to describe a plan that brings soccer, shopping, a community park and hotel to Elmont: GOAL!”

More information and photos about the Stadium Plan can be found on NewCosmosStadium.com.

So what you think? Will be the Cosmos be approved of a stadium? Will this play a role of whether or not MLS will be able to build a stadium plan over at Flushing Meadows?

Is this a strong indication that the North American Soccer League (NASL) is growing and will potentially be a strong rival to Major League Soccer? Will fans who live outside of Belmont and Elmont community travel to the proposed site of where the Cosmos will consider home?

While many of the questions may not be answered within this week, sit back and enjoy the ride.