The renovation project of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum has officially begun.
Officials broke ground on the project Thursday morning during a ceremony at the Uniondale arena.
Nassau officials say the former home of the Islanders will be converted to a retail and entertainment center.
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano says it is being funded with $260 million in private investments. He says the new complex will employ 2,700 people.
Mangano was joined at the event by developer Bruce Ratner and executives from the Barclays Center.
Officials plan the new venue will host concerts, six New York Islanders games, a Brooklyn-Nets preseason game, boxing matches and college basketball games.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
