Have the Cosmos moved their attention towards Long Island? Cosmos Country unearthed documentation that certainly supports the claim.

Senator Jack Martins of the 7th District New York, which comprises the border area between Queens and Long Island, sent the above correspondence to the Chairperson of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, Sandra Smith detailing plans that could, in part, bring the New York Cosmos as a center piece to their redevelopment plans.

The move would strategically place the team in a gateway area across from the current Belmont Park. More details about the rumored move can be found after the jump:

As stated in the above letter, the New York Cosmos plan would call for “$400 million” in private funds to create an entire commercial area with the stadium as it’s centerpiece. Their plan is one amongst many submitted for the communities approval.

The above depictions are part of the Elmont “Vision” for the area. The “overflow parking” section delineated above is where the proposed stadium would likely reside – just off of the Cross Island Expressway. As a “gateway” exit, it introduces visitors to the Elmont section of Hempstead, which currently welcomes incoming drivers with a dilapidated parking area amidst the cold backdrop of an otherwise forgotten stretch of prime real estate.

The Cosmos have long made mention of their desire to reach “the highest levels” of the American Soccer Pyramid. However, the words “Major League Soccer” have become less and less frequent in the groups lexicon as of late. In fact, they have been quite scarce since the Sheamus O’Brien ownership group took control of the club’s operations.

Meanwhile, Major League Soccer continues to pursue their initiative to secure a multimillion dollar complex of their own in Queens’ Flushing Meadow Park.

Belmont would give the Cosmos a valuable footprint as the only professional sporting franchise east of the five boroughs (remember, the New York Islanders are heading to Brooklyn). Straddling the Queens border, they would also be touching the lines of the city they have long targeted as their home as well. Travel by car would be a breeze. Public transportation is a different story. LIRR services would reach the general vicinity of the area, but subway transportation would only take travelers to the last stop of the F or E train before having to transfer to a bus to complete their journey.

Even with those glaring defects, the benefits of owning their own grounds would also mean full control of the complex. The same could not be said for the potential residents of the proposed Queens stadium.

All in all, the plan, as aspiring as it may be, will certainly demoralize the Cosmos growing legion of supporters who have, up to this point, endured many a roller coaster scenario to continue their backing of the proposed club. Cosmos supporters are looking for a stadium within the five boroughs and want the team to be part a focal point of the conversation in regards to Major League Soccer’s 20th franchise.

Could this lead to a potential move to Major League Soccer in the future? Perhaps. But this proposal would all but certainly take them out of the discussion for “NY2.”

The Cosmos hope to return to the professional ranks during the North American Soccer League’s Fall Championship. Their current home grounds will be at Hofstra University’s James Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, NY.