UNIONDALE, NY (CelebrityAccess) — After an extensive remodel, the Nassau Coliseum re-opened on Wednesday with a concert by Long Island's favorite son Billy Joel.
The arena, now called NYCB Live’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, has been dark for more than a year while undergoing $165 million in renovations overseen by New York real estate mogul Bruce Ratner.
The venue received a facelift for both the interior and exterior of the building and was scaled down slightly in size, from 16,700, to 13,900 fixed seats, though the capacity can be expanded to 14,500 for sporting events.
Other changes include a new sign, improved parking and a remodeled concession stands and main concourse.
In addition to Joel, upcoming live events at the arena include Stevie Nicks, Idina Menzel, Marc Anthony and WWE Monday Night Raw.
According to Newsday, Nassau County’s lease with Ratner will see the Nassau Events Center, the company operating the arena, pay 8 percent of all annual revenue generated by the Coliseum, including tickets and concessions, and 12.75 percent of parking to Ratner, with a guarantee of $4.4 million in the first year and a total of $334 million over the next 49 years.
