Murray and Goosby Produce Alternative Development Zone For Lighthouse Site
BDGallof | Jul 12, 2010 | Comments 55
What Charles Wang can possibly build as per the ToH plan
The following is the Press Release from the Town of Hempstead. No text has been changed.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, along with Council Members Anthony Santino, Angie Cullin, Gary Hudes and James Darcy, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, released details of a new development zone for the 77 acres of property surrounding the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The new zoning district crafted by the town will be presented as an alternative to the Lighthouse Project in an environmental report (Final Environmental Impact Statement [FEIS]). The alternate zone would be considered by the town board at a public hearing. The new zone facilitates a vibrant mixed-use development that is sustainable and would complement the suburban character of surrounding communities.
“We are taking proactive steps that can bring about meaningful development, along with all of the associated benefits, to the hub of Nassau County,” stated Murray. “Creating a zone that encourages reasonable development is key to supporting our tax base, offering construction and long term jobs, stimulating the region’s economy and facilitating a renovated Coliseum which would help keep the Islanders hockey team here where they belong.”
“Developing an alternative zone which will allow development that fits on the property surrounding the Coliseum was a priority for the town,” said Goosby. “This zone meets that objective and can be supported by local upgraded roadways as well as other infrastructure components.”
The proposed alternative zone provides for 5.4 million square feet of construction (includes all buildings and parking structures) comprised of many of the same types of development that were sought by the Lighthouse Group. At the same time, the zone scales back the density contemplated under the Lighthouse plan. Among the many types of development that will be permitted in the newly created zone are convention facilities, hotels, retail, restaurants, offices, residential units, entertainment uses and a refurbished Coliseum.
Additionally, the town-crafted alternative zone embraces smart growth principles such as mixed-use structures, roadways and pedestrian areas that encourage walking and bicycling, as well as “green technologies” in building construction. Mixed-use development accommodated under the new zone could include retail and/or office structures with homes above those facilities, all within the same buildings. Roadways that incorporate bicycle lanes, street furniture along pedestrian walkways, as well as street side cutouts for parallel parking, will all combine to create a walkable community and a genuine destination for people who are looking for an exciting location to live, work and enjoy recreational activities. Other smart growth elements considered in the zone include “shared parking” that helps optimize the level of development and integrated parking facilities that combine the parking structures and retail/offices.
The new zone alternative provides for up to 500 new homes to be developed. Those housing units will be required to include affordable and next generation/workforce homes.
The density and building heights accommodated in the town’s zoning alternative are substantial and sustainable. In fact, the density proposed would be the most intense zoning in the township. The Floor Area Ratio (FAR [the ratio of total square footage of construction as it relates to the square footage of land upon which it is built]) for the proposed zone is 1.6. By contrast, the FAR for the RXR Towers is 0.89 and the Omni Building totals 0.56. The Marriott Hotel has an FAR of 0.92. Moreover, the new zone’s development total of 5.4 million square feet contrasts with an estimated 10-13.5 million square feet of development under the Lighthouse proposal.
The maximum building height contemplated under the town’s zone is 100 feet or nine stories and applies to hotels. Mixed use, office and most other structures would be capped at four stories. Exclusively residential buildings would be restricted to three stories.
Town officials emphasized that the alternate zone is flexible in that it does not dictate which specific types of development prescribed in the zone must be sited on the individual parcels that make up the 77 acres around the Coliseum. The zone only requires that two of the permitted uses, other than the Coliseum, be included in the developer’s proposal for each parcel.
Hempstead Town’s zoning alternative also provides for traffic mitigation. The mitigation includes roadways within the Coliseum area which would redistribute traffic, addressing the burdens that would otherwise be created by a development of this significance. The plan also contemplates “smart” traffic signals and a reconfigured interchange at the intersection of Meadowbrook Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike.
“The Town of Hempstead has been working hard to facilitate reasonable development at the site surrounding the Nassau Coliseum,” concluded Murray. “We committed to ‘jump starting’ a stalled development process, promised to provide for reasonable development that is progressive, and we have been clear that we would only permit a zone that can be sustained by the environment and local infrastructure. We’ve produced a zone that is true to those goals. What’s more, making sure that the zone would be consistent with the suburban character of our area, support our tax base, stimulate the economy, facilitate the renovation of the Coliseum and help keep the Islanders hockey team here have also been key determinants in producing this alternative.”
Filed Under: Featured • Featured Rumors • New York Islanders • NHL
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No vision, no foresight, no surprise.
what did you expect? These are representatives of the party of ‘NO.” :)
Goosby is a DEMOCRAT
Wasn’t it Lewis Black who said that the Republican’s are the party of BAD ideas and The Democrats are the party of NO ideas. I kinda like that!! But this whole thing has zero to do with one particular party. I am a Democrat, but only as I personally view them as the less of two evils. Both parties are beyond corrupt and only do things if a) They are getting kickbacks or b) getting campaign donations. We need independents to run and stand up against this stuff.
So this is how much local government can handle without having to build new schools, dramatically improve roads to accomodate and not tax the water supply sewer systems requiring major expenditures to improve them without hitting taxpayers harder than ever? OK. Will they go up on restaurants and other neutral avenues of income generation so Wang won’t huff and puff? Great.
Remember, 3,000 new residences would likely mean new schools would have to go up. 500 likely won’t require such a hit on taxpayers.
I disagree. 3000 new “units” which is what Wang wanted would have all been apartments (maybe a few condo’s too). Most of the people moving in there would have most likely have been 20 somethings looking for affordable housing so they don’t have to live with their parents anymore. There would be no need for new schools cause of 3000 new residents to a town that has like 150,000 residents already.
Right. God forbid that a project comes along and forces the town leadership to do something about the roads that need to be reworked even without the project. That also wouldn’t happen to have the necessary effect of creating further new jobs. It would be awful if the roads were changed for the better and people other than Wang got to make money off of this. Absolutely unthinkable. What I really love is that people are against this kind of thing because it would add a few minutes to their commutes. It’s one of the reasons why I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know that I can say screw you to people that need jobs…
Well according to the NYCEDC site, the parking space is exempt from the development space allowed (maximum 8.94 million square feet). Up to 5500 housing units are allowed in the WP. Wang and Wilpon may not want to do it all, but they surely could get 2300 housing units done in WP. Charles move the team to Queens and build your dream in Willets Point. If politics get involved the Isles can definitely move in.
Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby was elected to the Town Board on November 2, 1999. This was the first time since 1905 democrats were elected to the Hempstead Town Board. She was the first African American woman to serve as councilperson. Her term of office was a one-year term. On November 7, 2000, she was re-elected in a landslide victory to another one-year term in the newly-created First Councilmatic District. I guess it’s just not those corrupt Republicans that are against Wang’s entire LH project.
The lower heights and reduced residential component drew praise from Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, whose district includes the site. Goosby said the new zoning plan did a better job of incorporating surrounding communities, calling it “much more doable than what we had before.”
wgaf what party any of these scumbags are from??? They’re all scum and you seem to be for the republican scum…Why not think for yourself instead?
Exactly. The government has to address the needs of the schools, services and everything ese they were elected to do, not just the will of a hockey team’s owner who isn’t making enough money to be happy (though he only now is finally making money since his last profit came – when our last playoff Game 7 came).
Forget the politics and the team for a moment…..look at how things would have to change to accommodate all the new residences and how much it’ll cost taxpayers. If Wang can give on the residences, I’d be pushing hard for him to receive more businesses and restaurants in return. And I’m in the not-so-fond-of-Wang camp.
You have to understand the Wang sycophants have no answers to all the infrastructure problems this will create their main argument is “just build it”.
If you genuinely think that’s our main argument you’re either not paying attention or engaging in selective reading. Nobody thought the project would be built as proposed, but to knock it down to such an insulting degree and admit that they never considered whether it’d be profitable to do it is just insane.
Nobody here is calling the Vatican to offer Wang up for sainthood, but we are saying that just like anyone else in business he needs to be in a position to make money. Whether or not you can accept it, if the government has no money for the arena (and they shouldn’t, times are tough and it’s a subsidy for private business), the only other way to go is develop the land to make enough money to fund construction. That’s it.
Speaking of the schools, services, etc – Wang agreed to pay the Uniondale School District $4 million upfront to cover costs of new kids, in addition to the projected $31 million a year in tax revenue. Federal infrastructure money was at the ready to provide the other improvements. Stop drinking the TOH kool-aid and pushing the ridiculous lie that this was some owner having a whim.
Oh wait, I’m sorry….”Duh, Duh, Murray Bad! Wang Good! Just Build It!” Christ Almighty….
Why couldn’t Wang and his crew answer the infrastructure questions Nick when he was asked at the board meeting? I have news for you Nick if Wang is made part of a casino deal and he is going to make big $$$$$ off of it he will sign on the dotted line in a second and forget all about the LH. How come with your side it’s Murray bad and not Goosby?
See below – short answer is they filed a Generic EIS, which required less detailed plans, but I was bitterly disappointed in their performance and called them out on the blog multiple times for it. Nobody is innocent here.
Also, please stop putting words in our mouths. Kate Murray has been the public face of it, same way people blame the President for things Congress does. The Town has awful issues of no vision and no acceptance that our current way of life is unsustainable…And it is.
Nothing is inherently suburban, other than being located next to a major city. We had a golden opportunity to decide how Long Island would be suburbia in the 21st Century, and the Town of Hempstead voted for more of the same. In addition to how disappointing this is on its face, they’ve sent a strong message that big ideas aren’t welcome here and people looking to do business on Long Island should look elsewhere.
Isles27 is a selfish NIMBY
And your a loser with no house.
You have no idea what my life is you douch bag
Nick do you really think the Federal Government is rolling in the dough right now? Same for the State. Same for private investors. I would be very weary when you are PROMISED cash for projects in these times. I also question Wang’s ability to come up with all this cash. You familiar with the Xanadu project in the Meadowlands which was a 2 billion dollar project half of what Wang’s was. Nick that project should have been completed by now but it’s dragging on because of “funding issues”. I don’t want that here. I don’t want a project started and then stalled this is one of a few other reasons that I was against his “mini city”. Nick unrelated question are there houses on the market on LI for under 400K? I also have to question your reluctance to criticize democrats it’s pretty obvious.
You’re seeing what you want to see, like you’ve been throughout this whole process. Where were you when I called Suozzi an entitled loser who gave his job away? Where were you when I constantly mocked the feckless governor of our fine state? I’ve been the one fighting the battle against making this a partisan issue, and how DARE you try to make me out to be some kind of hack. I’m in favor of any politician who agrees that we need a project like this and against any politician that doesn’t. You can belong to any political party you want (I’m a registered independent, you can confirm that with the voter registration office…I think political parties do more harm than good and lead to sheep-like behavior on both sides).
Let’s talk about funding….there will not be any project if Wang and Rechler can’t get funding for their project. Why is that? Collateral. They own all the major non-university properties ringing the site, and when you include the Islanders that’s hundreds of millions of dollars right there. If that can’t be used to leverage financing, there won’t be anything there for years until the economy comes out of deep freeze. They tried to make a federal case out of getting financing from China, but think about yourself if you want a car loan or a mortgage. If Bank A won’t lend to me, and Bank B will, hello Bank B. Nothing wrong there.
Federal money…here comes the misdirecting debt argument again. Check the latest studies from Moody’s Economy: Infrastructure investment carries a multiplier effect in economic activity, resulting in a net benefit to the community. It’s in the government’s best interests to fund infrastructure and avoid money pits like sports arenas.
I can’t believe I’m quoting that little troll, but Gary Bettman was right on target with this one. If they don’t think Wang has the goods, they should approve the project and put it on him to deliver. You’ve already thrown up 3 attempted roadblocks and misdirections…If we’ll never see eye to eye, I’m fine stopping and not wasting anyone else’s time, but I’m dealing in facts here. My whole site was based on facts, which are meticulously sourced.
First off Nick EVERYONE in the press (TV Radio, Newspapers) are registered as Independent and anyone with a half of brain knows that the overwhelming majority of press people lean to the far left so that means nothing to me. Second you avoided the Xanadu project. You mean they didn’t have the proper funding when they started their project but Wang and Co. do?
my god you’re such a stupid motherfucker. somebody has to say it. sorry.
Yep. He doesn’t have to live there or send his kids to those schools or pay for those schools. Remember his lowball figure for road improvements and whatnot?
People forget when Wang and his crew appeared before the Town Board months ago and were questioned about the infrastructure they didn’t exactly dazzle the crowd with their answers.
I criticized the hell out of them for that. They needed to have their act together and didn’t to a sufficient degree…But to say the Town, which sat on the sidelines for 7 years hiding behind a BS “conflict of interest” position, was right, is just crazy. If all sides had worked together, we could’ve had a project. Instead, it got politicized, and the citizens and fans lost.
How long did Suozzi and the County sit on it Nick before he came out full force for it?
Government workers don’t take on extra work they are going to tackle what they are scheduled to tackle and nothing more. Second did you expect a Democrat running Nassau County to work with a Republican running the TOH, once again not gonna happen. Let’s not put our heads in the sand here the reality of politics is that the Democrats want to see the Republicans fail and the Republicans want to see the Democrats fail that’s how they win elections.
Talking about putting your heads in the sand, hey Pot meet Kettle, lol
I posted my general feelings about this several times….what is once more?
This is more of the same. There is no new news to report.
Kate Murray and the Hooples of Hempstead are doing exactly what they have always done. It is the same robotic, duplicitous dogma day after day, week after week, month after month. Robots and ignorant fools don’t change, and don’t offer anything new. This is never more true then in the world of Hempstead Township. Murray is simply the brainless puppet of her boss—Joe Mondello, who take his orders from Joe Bruno and others in the “business…”
For those who feel that New York City would be just as bad in terms of trying to develop the site next to CitiField—I would submit a few facts…
The Nets are getting their new arena in Brooklyn.
The Yankees got their new stadium in the Bronx.
The Mets now play baseball in a palace in Queens.
Mayor Bloomberg, the City Council and Queens Borough managers might not be the descendants of Einstein and Newton, but they know how to add—and they are undoubtedly looking at their municipal brothers and sisters in Hempstead and laughing in hysterics, as they make preparations to try to lure Wang to Queens. (I hope….)
It does not take an MBA to see the kind of dollar value that would come into New York City coffers in the form of income from Long Island, as well as rent and lease monies from new tenants in a new complex, and new tax revenue. It would take the seasonal aspect of CitiField, and create an arena district that is year-round. It would be a gigantic windfall for the City of New York.
The small minds of Town Government clowns like Kate Murray can’t understand this kind of economics. They are too small, and frankly—too stupid. They are Hillbillies living in the suburbs of a major metropolitan area.
Too often, people think elections at the local level are unimportant and small. Not seeing the reality that throughout the Country—local government dictates the vast majority of your government—from property taxes, to school taxes, to the condition of the roads, and picking up the trash at your home.
If you are aboard an airplane, and you suddenly feel the plane begin to fall. Before you kiss you tushy goodbye, you run to the cockpit to ask the pilot what is happening. When you arrive at the cockpit, you are shocked and amazed to see a taxi cab driver has been attempting to fly the plane.
Taxi cab drivers should indeed drive taxi cabs. They should not be flying jet planes.
Ill put it in a different way—god forbid anyone needs surgery—do you want to hear your cabbie ask you to count back from 10 before you go under, or someone who is capable of performing the surgery—you know—like a surgeon?
Right now, the Town of Hempstead is being run by Clowns—in England, they are called Hooples (which is why I call them the Hooples of Hempstead). It is being run, and, has been run into the toilet by small, and very narrow people.
The hope was that last election was to see Murray and the Hooples defeated. Sadly it did not happen for a variety of reasons.
This saga will continue unless the owner of the Islanders can put enough pressure on Murray and the other Hooples. The way to do this—as I have said numerous times — begin open, public and very loud and detail rich negotiations with Queens and City officials. The only way Wang is going to get what he wants—and I believe what is needed is to turn up the heat on the Hooples.
As Islander fans, we can only hope that this deal with the City is completed in the next few months. It will take several years to prepare the ground, and build a new arena. As such—it must start sooner rather then later.
The Islanders rebuild is needed for the on-ice product to succeed. However, the rebuild will remain nothing more then a foundation with the i-beam framework completed if the franchise does not settle this issue in the next 6-12 months.
A new building is as much about keeping young guns Tavares, Okposo and Bailey on Long Island as it is about a new arena to attract outside free agents.
FACT: TOH (where I reside BTW unlike a lot of posters who live no where near here)has a AAA S&P bond rating (#1). I would not consider that to be “run into the toilet” Sorry FACT: Goosby is a DEMOCRAT who came out AGAINST the full LH plan I would think if you are going to be fair about it that you also consider her to be a Hillbilly Hoople
FACT: I have lived in the TOH my entire life (32 years)and I look at the area that the LH would be built on as an EYESORE.
FACT: I don’t CARE that Goosby is a Democrat. She, along with everyone on that “board” is clueless and living in the 1970′s. I have talked to HUNDREDS of people since this all began. Repubs, Dems, Indy’s. HALF weren’t hockey fans at all. 99% said the Lighthouse NEEDS to get done so LI can move forward. NOT to become an urban wasteland like most opponents say, but to finally do what NEEDS to be done to start to fix the problems of LI. Taxes, being the biggest one.
Seriously, folks. All we want is a concerted, genuine, effort on the part of our elected officials and the developers to come to an accord. Meet somewhere in the middle and let’s get this done.
Has the bond rating of Hempstead Township had an impact on your well being?
Have you earned a higher quality of life because of that rating?
Dose that bond rating allow you to put have better schools?
A high bond rating is nice. But when I drive through Hempstead, I see a very run down, dirty and empty community. I see streets and roads that are in terrible disrepair. I talk to people in the town who have said—and I agree—that their homes are all kept up nicely, but the public spaces are a mess.
That says a great deal to me about Hempstead’s government.
I am not making this about Democrat/Republican. I don’t care if the board was entirely made up of Democrats. I would still refer to them as what they are—clowns.
Goosby could be a Marxist for all I care. She has lined up with the other hooples. My viewpoint is non-partisan on this issue. Goosby is no better then Murray and Mondello.
When it comes to the Islanders, and this proposal, I don’t trust any of them—be it Suozzi or Mangano—and I certainly have no trust for Murray.
What troubles me most here is Charles Wang. The red carpet has been laid before him. He can enter the borough of Queens as King Charles I, walking on the petals of roses, and having nymph-like virgins peel grapes for him to dine on. Yet he continues to play a game that he will ultimately lose.
Regardless of his argument, the Town of Hempstead will zone the Hub as they see fit, and nothing Charles Wang is WILLING to do will change that.
I have been involved in local Long Island politics and have a pretty good grasp as to what is going on, and how the game works. But my goal is to see the NY Islanders remain in the area. This should be a non-partisan discussion among Islander fans—regardless of where we stand politically, we want to keep our boys here.
If you wish to continue to keep the Hooples of Hempstead in power by voting for them because of the Town Bond rating, that is your right. But that vote has a consequence—which is the Islanders walking out the door. If that is worth the Bond Rating to you — then we have a base difference that wont be reconciled—and hey—that’s okay!
But again—I am not separating out Goosby, or any other Hoople. They are all together on this. In fact, there is not one dissenting opinion among the board. Know why—Mondello would have them sleeping with the fishes if they fart out of line.
“But when I drive through Hempstead, I see a very run down, dirty and empty community.” Maybe the people who live there deserve the blame for that. My area doesn’t look like that. Can people take responsibly for their actions for once? A higher bond rating does affect me it enables the municipality to borrow money at a cheaper rate and holds my TOH taxes down. Like I said in another discussion the biggest problem on LI is school taxes and that’s because they go up every year because the fat cats in the education system have to get their raises. Do we need all these school districts on LI with a Superintendent making close to 300K and the assistant making close to 200K?
I don’t for the life of me understand why you are making this about something other then what it is.
Look—we disagree.
It’s all good.
You have traded the New York Islanders for your higher bond rating, Kate Murray’s fat derrier, and I guess some schools where budgets fail regularly and have very limited programs like art, music, AP courses, and the like. Again—im not angry, or upset—this is America, and that is your right.
Now if you want to blame this whole mess on Wang—and want to suggest that Wang should only be about building a new arena–that is fine too. You have that right. But then please say that. Please dont beat around the bush. Please explain to us all why you feel that way, and make your case.
But I come here for one reason—and one reason only. This is a Hockey discussion board. It is about the NY Islanders. You obviously like the government you have in your town. Again—that’s fine. But then you have to understand that you have made the trade as discussed above.
If the good folks at Hockey Independent and it’s moderators would like to open up a thread where we get into a political discussion—I would be happy to dance with anyone—when it comes to politics—I am not a wallflower by any means.
I spent nearly 12 years inside Long Island politics, and I am happy to have a chat with anyone who wants — I am well versed!
Sorry but when I go into the voting booth a sports team and its owner is not my top priority my QOL is more important when it comes to local elections. It’s also my right as an American to want illegals removed from this country and the right of a state to removed them but obviously the POTUS doesn’t think so therefore that’s the type of issue I base my vote on. The Murray name calling shows where you are coming from. I seem to have hit a nerve with the schools comment are you part of the LI school system? Sorry but way too many overpaid fat cats in the school system that’s why the school taxes are so high it has nothing to do with programs for the kids. No one is saying Wang can only build an arena they are just saying his project was too big and needed to be scaled down. This whole LH topic is about politics like it or not.
I guess you can trace your family right on back to the Pequot and Shinnecocks right….
It is pretty obvious that you have no interest in the Islanders or hockey.
If my view point on Kate Murray is obvious, so is your racism.
My only hope is that the mods will shut this thread down, and ban you.
Besides, Kate and the Town GOP can keep you busy with other tasks can’t they?
Or is it the County GOP?
This will be my last response to this flake……… :) :) :)
Typical liberal you want to censor anyone you don’t agree with. I’ve been watching the Islanders and hockey since the mid 70′s I don’t have to be a left wing nut job like you to like hockey. I guess you are in favor of just letting anyone in this country without screening them to see if they have a criminal record or are sick. Real smart. Go back to Botta’s board where you can have a circle jerk with the rest of the brown noses. You obviously are connected to the Nassau jackasses.
riiiiiight….touch a nerve much….LOL LOL LOL.
Not to impugn Standard & Poors, but the credit default swaps that destroyed the economy were also rated AAA…Those ratings don’t carry the kind of weight they used to.
Still beats having a crappy rating like some other municipalities do.
You are unbelievable…I find it hard to believe people like you exist, who just accept the ToH politics as gospel..Think for yourself, or do you not have a brain?
Those aren’t facts they are opinions.
Nick, I don’t know how you do it…these continuous discussion with people who can’t think, get their “facts” from simpleton conservative talk radio, and spew them in an angry know it all way, and pass their hatred for those that have a touch less than them in not so subtle ways (racism perhaps??). They are jealous of CW’s success, afraid that their little world of grass, white picket fence, BBQ and beer will be altered in some way, and are too content in their small-minded view of the world to see anything or think anyway differently. Thanks for putting up the good fight, but please, we for your own sake, do not respond to ignorance. There are more important things (and people) to focus on here.
Hyedrey, I agree with your post completely as well.
If it isn’t the limousine liberal professor from Manhattan, sorry but you don’t have a horse in this race since you don’t live here so butt out and concentrate on buying your bottle of wine for the concert in the park. BTW be careful crime is going up big time in the city and they love to prey on fruit loops like you.
You’re STILL clueless.
Isles27 (AKA Ignoramus), One thing my dad effectively taught me was to never argue with a drunk or fool. While I have no idea if you drink to excess, the other is painfully obvious. Have a great night.
If this is going to descend to some personal poltical and insulting vendetta, i will make my 2nd ban of this site. Much like the ToH/LHP, very little common ground here it seems between some. Find some…or else.
Amazing…liberals and pro-Wang to death. Well? Who’s paying for more schools to be built? All that housing senior only? No?
So teachers get slammed, schools have to cut more programs and eek by on whatever tax revenue they get. Kids suffer.
But Wang makes a profit. Bravo. Now add the Shinnecock idea and Wang gets housing….WHO PAYS FOR THEIR KIDS TO GO TO SCHOOL? Ah, not important. Liberals wanna feel good and get all their cookies and screw the consequences.
Well, what’s the answer? No consequences, just immediate satisfaction and 100% Wang fulfillment?
Oops…..sorry, BD. I can’t edit the liberal part out. (though I wish I could in everyday life :D )
A new development—or so it seems….
Botta is reporting that Mangano and wang are now talking to the Shinnecock Nation in an effort to what in lay terms would amount to granting the 77 acre property as an Indian Reservation—thus allowing the Nation to build a casino, build a new arena and train complex, hotel, some residential and office space, and completely bypass Kate Murray and Hempstead jurisdiction.
Interesting end run….
Im not a big fan of this idea. If it is a choice of keeping the Islanders in New York by doing this, or the Isles leaving, I am going to support it—of course.
But if it were a choice between Willits Point arena district or a Casino plan at NVMC, my choice would be Willits Point.
Just imagine what it would be like trying to get to a Saturday night game at 7pm. Prime dinner time, the game, and thousands of people going to hit the slots and tables. And then imagine getting out of there at 10pm. Public transportation in the form of a train would have to be a must. Otherwise, attendance is going to be an issue.
I am all for a casino if it is done “right.” By right I mean first class security to keep drugs and prostitution out. I mean a look and style that will not detract but add to the value of the surrounding area. The Nation has every right to a casino if that is what they want. I know the Shinnecock people and they have been kicked and beaten around for hundreds of years, and deserve a shot at this.
But if they are going to do this, it is going to require a massive amount of proper, and smart planning, and I am not sure that the Horses in this race have that ability.
Besides the security questions I just mentioned, moving people around and to and from the complex has to be at the forefront of the development along with the environment. I believe that the two are directly linked. The plan should include a dynamic, intelligent way to convince people that they need to leave their cars home if they want to watch the Isles, or play craps. Some how, a light rail system to move people around the complex, as well as a system that either partners with/connects to the LIRR.
This will be a major issue because there is no longer the real estate for the LIRR to expand. And during the week in particular, the idea of adding more trains to ferry people to and from the new development seems a bit out of reach.
This can be done—but it is not as simple as just condemning the land to bypass Kate Murray and the Hooples.
I am still in favor of Willit’s Point, and have been since it first became public that Queens wanted the Islanders about a year ago. In the end, most of us want to see the Islanders remain in the area. I think most of us could care less about the politics, who is elected to what office when it comes to the Islanders — most of us. This is an emotional issue where we want our boys in blue and orange. And while I have some major issues with a casino proposal, if it becomes the only option, I would have to support it.
I say screw TOH, and build the casino plan. it would be great after all of this to see Murray get absulutely nothing.
Isles 27, lets see how you like it when the land is completely vaccant and your town will be getting no $$ from it. Kate Murray is a fat SOB. She is getting paid off and everyone knows about it. I guess you also dont give crap about the future of LI. I agree that there is no way that 100% of the project should be built. But, to come backk with what they did was a joke. And they spent your tax $$ to pay for the findings. If Murray actually thought they would accept this plan then she is a moron. Nothing do with the Islenader, but no developer in their right minds will build something if they do not think they will get a profit out of it. Have fun w the Vaccant land or a casino. Either way, your town will see no $$ from those options.
you are wasting your energy trying to talk sense with this guy