TOWN BOARD WANTS LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT SMALLER: ToH Source Speaks to HockeyIndependent
BDGallof | Sep 23, 2009 | Comments 7
According to a highly placed source in the Town of Hempstead, the Lighthouse Project will have to scale the project down.
Per the source, the town board is not comfortable with the size nor scope of such a project. They would like Wang to do what many others who have projects do “like what Scott Rechler does when he does a project” per the source.
The source feels that merely some compromise and as to meet the Town Board in the middle.
Per that ToH source: “You are going to see what Charles Wang is really made of and what he stands for. Will he keep pushing for all or nothing, or come to the table?”
Biggest issue for the board is, as anyone at the hearing can attest, TRAFFIC. The large scale of the project, with two universities and all that other stuff in the area, plus now the LH development was/is a huge concern.
“Once the Town Board can be comfortable, they will sign onto the project,” said the source.“Despite that Isles fans felt we were picking on their traffic consultant, the Town Board had serious issues and were not satisfied with the answers.”
One large issue was also money allocated for the project. The ToH pointed out that the State said they might be able to have 80 million allocated for one thing, but unless it is actually in an account, it is only talk, not fact. ToH took issue that Picker first cited it as fact until pressed on it.
“You could see that Scott Rechler was not flustered at all during yesterdays hearing. That is because he’s been through these before and knows how they run. He also knows what it takes to make a project go through: compromise and working with one another to find the common ground. Meanwhile Picker and Charles Wang were angry and frustrated. They aren’t familiar with the zoning hearings. Someone needs to come to them and make them understand that just because the State says something is ok, it does not mean it is ok with the Town. Albany is up in Albany. We actually live in the communities.”
“Will this get done” I asked.
“Yes,” the source replied. “If Charles Wang really loves the NY Islanders and appreciates the fans like he says he does, he will come to the table and work something out. But, if he doesn’t, then Islander fans will know his true colors. If it comes to that, I am sorry for all the fans who did so much work and had some much passion to get all this done. And for you and the other bloggers who wrote about it. Because it means you were used, and he had no intention of negotiating a thing.”
As per this blogger on this site as well as blogs I did on IslandersIndependent.com, the Lighthouse Project was reticent to come to the negotiating table, causing the ToH to launch their letter to Suozzi and then their open letter to fans. Finally the hearing which finally publicly put them on the spot. What is amazing about this is that Tom Suozzi, Charles Wang, and even Michael Picker have admitted that it would not look EXACTLY like the plans, alluding that there would be some negotiation. However, as the wind got into the sails a month or two ago, the Lighthouse seemed determined to not even admit that thery would have to scale down, despite that everyone else was The only finger to point for that is clearly Charles Wang.
As some blogs hold the October 3rd “certainty” date on a pedestal, I can tell you here and now that there will be NO CERTAINTY on October 3rd at all. In fact, there is a good chance that this will run to and through the November elections before the ToH can run through the 4000 page FGIES (Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement). ToH will need at least 4 weeks just to go through that.
Unless the Lighthouse Project starting working with the Town Board, this will remain at a stalemate and the pressure will be all on the Lighthouse, not the Town of Hempstead, per the source.
Of course, Town of Hempstead should not get whatever they want either. The ToH is doing this show to look good and concerned. Never mind the myriad of fiascoes they have overseen in the past. We could list them out and go through them for hours.
The bottom line is not a he said, she said, but to approach something that the many had brought up in previous meetings earlier this summer. BOTH SIDES NEED TO COMPROMISE, NOT JUST THE LIGHTHOUSE.The voice of reason for both sides must win, or we Isles fans lose.
- BD
bd@hockeyindependent.com
http://www.twitter.com/bdgallof
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Well said, BD. I don’t really care for them saying insinuating that Wang doesn’t care about the Islanders if he doesn’t negotiate, but that’s neither here nor there. At least they’re discussing negotiations and not flat-out dismissing the project as a whole.
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Great read. Thanks.
Hopefully BOTH sides are blustering and posturing and will be willing to meet at a point that is acceptable for both.
I can’t believe that Wang is just going to be obstinate and not compromise at all. He is too smart for that and also has a smart and experienced partner in Rechler to explain all of this to him.
Same for the TOH – they are also smart people, and it would seem like political suicide to shoot this down and not be reasonable. Yeah, I know they are setting things up to make Wang the bad guy. But a lot of people will not buy that, and they have to know that.
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I don’t see Wang budging on this….at all
In my mind, he has been in “all or nothing” mode since January.
And I can’t say that I blame him.
He’s been screwed around by too many for too long now.
I would be very surprised if Wang does not go into free agent status come Oct 3rd.
The phone lines will be open and operators will be standing by.
Just my opinion….from two time zones away.
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I agree, there needs to be compromise for this thing to get done. At least there’s consistent dialogue at this point, with hearings being scheduled and letters going out. At least you know the issue is being considered by both sides.
October 3 is a pipe dream for Wang. He needs to be realistic and if he gets any type of approval by the spring and can break ground then, he should be ecstatic. I say approval of some form of the Lighthouse by March, ground-breaking on the “renovated” Coliseum by Late May-Early June (since the Isles will presumably miss the playoffs this season).
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BD,
The first rule of negotiating, make the other party make the first move. Wang (and Rechler) are smart to say we are not negotiating. This will allow them a chance to force the hand of TofH into making the first move and seeing their cards. The LHDG still want everything, and until they know what the TofH is willing to approve, they can’t really negotiate from a position of strength. I am sure that we won’t have any certainty, but Rechler has been through this dozens of times and knew what to expect. I was on LI this summer and my 5 year old asked what was that big “thing” near where we were staying, I explained it was the GARBAGE INCINERATOR. Shouldn’t the TofH be so proud to have that as the key view of the skyline. What a joke they are!
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If the town board really wants a compromise why are they waiting till the last minute to request it? Secondly, why no details as to what they will compromise on?
Thus far they are being very general and not offering specifics.
Wang I would agree is not a very compromising man and probably dug a hole here all by himself. I would also say that the TOH obviously has an agenda here as well and are not very forthcoming with where they actually stand here.
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