MINEOLA, N.Y. -- A decade-long effort to renovate an aging and dilapidated suburban New York sports arena moved a step closer to fruition on Thursday when officials chose the company that recently opened Brooklyns Barclays Center to redevelop the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and its surrounding 77-acre property. The selection of Nassau Events Center, LLC over The Madison Square Garden Co. for the US$229 million job was announced by County Executive Edward P. Mangano following a months-long competition that initially involved four bidders. "By having The Madison Square Garden Company compete with us on this development demonstrates the significance of this project and both of our companies commitment to Long Island," said Bruce Ratner, executive chairman of Forest City Ratner Companies. "We are ready to get to work to deliver a world-class coliseum and a thriving sports, entertainment and retail centre that Long Island deserves." The announcement comes nearly a year after the coliseums primary tenant, the National Hockey Leagues New York Islanders, said the team would move from the coliseum to the new Barclays arena after the 2015 season. The plan still requires the approval of the Nassau County Legislature, but observers said it was likely the GOP majority in the legislature would go along with the Republican county executives selection. "While we are disappointed with the countys decision, we are not at all surprised given the history of this project, and will be watching closely as this process moves to the county legislature," MSG said in a statement. "We remain deeply supportive of the efforts to create a rich and vibrant destination for all Long Island residents, and sincerely hope that, regardless of todays decision, Long Island ultimately gets the world-class destination it deserves." Both Ratner, the developer behind the Barclays Center, and MSG have experience in running sports and entertainment arenas in the New York area. The finalists had engaged in high-profile television and print advertising campaigns while vying for the right to develop the property. A public session to discuss the proposals last spring featured an appearance by music mogul and hip-hop star Jay Z, whose company is affiliated with the Ratner group. Nassau County officials and others have been struggling to renovate the coliseum, built in 1972, for nearly a decade. In 2004, the Islanders billionaire owner, software executive Charles Wang, proposed a massive redevelopment of the property that would have included a soaring 60-foot office and condominium tower. That proposal failed to win either community or municipal support after residents expressed concerns about traffic and other issues. Two years ago, voters rejected a referendum backed by Mangano that would have allowed $400 million in borrowing for the construction of a new hockey arena and ballpark. Mangano stressed Thursday that the construction will be a "100 per cent privately financed" project that will "share revenue with the county at zero expense to the taxpayer." Jose Ramirez Jersey . If Vettel wins at Suzuka on Sunday, and his nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes worse than eighth, the German driver will join his compatriot Michael Schumacher and Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio as the only men to win four consecutive titles. Brandon McCarthy Jersey . The international synchronized skating competition takes place from January 31 - February 1, 2014, and features 39 teams from 10 countries, in senior, junior, and novice. http://www.thebravesteamshop.com/Customized/. 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It was yet another injury to a star player for the ailing Rangers, who entered the day with wins in five of their previous six games despite the persistence of health problems. "Just go play. Everyone still has a job to do. Weve lost a lot of good ballplayers, but weve also got a lot of good ballplayers out there," said manager Ron Washington, who learned of the latest setback around noon, seven hours before first pitch. The Rangers were hoping Darvish would be able to avoid the disabled list, but they were waiting for results of a precautionary MRI test on his neck, which was stiff enough in spring training to keep him from pitching for nearly three weeks and delay his season debut by one start until April 6. General manager Jon Daniels told reporters that Darvish said this injury didnt feel as bad as the last one, but given all the time the Rangers have spent in the training room this year they were proceeding cautiously. Baker, who was a second-round draft pick by the Twins out of Oklahoma State in 2003, spent five seasoons at the front of their rotation until an elbow injury forced Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in 2012.dddddddddddd Baker gave up six runs in six innings Friday at Detroit in his first start of the year but was intended to be moved back to long relief afterward. Against the Twins, he took the mound with three days of rest. Whether he stays in the rotation this time will depend, of course, on Darvishs status. The 27-year-old Japanese sensation is 4-2 in nine starts with a 2.35 ERA, the fourth-best in the league. He has 71 strikeouts in 61 1-3 innings. "If he can pitch Sunday, I want him to pitch," Washington said, acknowledging hed prefer Darvish not have to swing the bat or run the bases with the Rangers playing an interleague series at Washington. The Rangers will have to make a roster move Wednesday regardless, with left-hander Joe Saunders due to come off the disabled list and pitch against the Twins. Saunders has been out since April 4, when he was hit by a line drive on his left ankle in the fourth inning at Tampa Bay. Saunders suffered a stress fracture and made four rehabilitation starts in the minors this month. "Theres no limit on Joe. The Minnesota Twins are going to tell us how limited hes going to be," Washington said. Cheap Predators Jerseys Cheap Jets Jerseys Cheap Ducks Jerseys Cheap Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Sharks Jerseys Cheap Canucks Jerseys Cheap Bruins Jerseys Cheap Sabres Jerseys Cheap Panthers Jerseys Cheap Canadiens Jerseys Cheap Senators Jerseys Cheap Hurricanes Jerseys Cheap Blue Jackets Jerseys Cheap Islanders Jerseys Cheap Rangers Jerseys Cheap Flyers Jerseys ' ' '