“IT CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US”
Tom Suozzi on the Lighthouse Project
Tom Suozzi yelled at me once, which I thought was pretty cool. I was with Charles Wang and some Islanders executives far more senior than me for a meeting with the Nassau County Executive on the Lighthouse Project. Suozzi wanted our marketing materials to focus on renovating the Coliseum and keeping the Islanders, but “All I see is the tower, the tower, the tower”!!! (As if the tower - or anything else - was my idea).
Well, that tower is gone and Wang and his development partner Scott Rechler made concessions on just about everything else the community leaders asked of them. Nassau County approved the project in a landslide and now zoning approvals are in the hands of the Town of Hempstead and Supervisor Kate Murray.
While we wait for the Town to make an announcement or for Supervisor Murray to take a position, I spoke with Suozzi last night for his take on the Lighthouse Project - I mean the project to transform the Coliseum and keep the Islanders in Nassau County. As you will see, he makes it crystal clear the next move is Murray’s…CB
From your perspective, what is the latest in the development of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum property?
The Lighthouse Group is working to gain the necessary Town of Hempstead environment and zoning approvals.
Is it all in the hands of the Town of Hempstead now?
Yes, they have control over this process.
Could you predict when there will be a ground-breaking ceremony on the project?
It can’t come soon enough for all of us. It’s the Lighthouse Group’s project and Charles Wang and Scott Rechler have estimated next summer.
When I was with the team, you made it clear how important it was to make the arena state-of-the-art and keep the Islanders here. Could you speak to that more in-depth for my readers?
The Islanders are a source of pride for all Nassau County residents. They and we deserve a first-class, state-of-the-art arena, for sports fans coming from near and far, as well as people coming for other attractions at the Coliseum. The economic future of this county has been a top priority of my administration and the Islanders and the entire Lighthouse Project are a major part of development in the Hub, the central core of the county.
But do you also understand Charles Wang and Scott Rechler’s vision to complete their entire vision for the Lighthouse Project - not just the arena but the surrounding 70-plus acres?
Yes, of course, good question. When we did the public procurement process for redevelopment of the Coliseum site, we intentionally required that proposers tell us how they would maximize the use of the Coliseum and 70-plus acres of public land to create a major destination and enhance the Hub as the economic heart of the county. The Lighthouse Group proposes 24/7 use with expanded sports and recreational facilities, offices, residences, shops and dining. They are also including their other real estate holdings in the development to create a 150-acre project.
Is there any chance the project can include access for public transportation?
I am glad you brought this up. It’s been proven that public transportation not only provides the convenience of getting to your destination without the use of a car, reduces congestion and improves air quality, but it also increases the value of any development. We have been working on a two-track approach for public transportation: for the long term, establishing a transit system that will connect with local LIRR stations to provide east, west, north and south access to the Hub for sports attendees, people going to school, jobs, visiting the museums, Eisenhower Park, and so on.
We have been working very hard to do the necessary studies and secure federal funding, so we can complete this complex task as soon as possible. In the short term, we are working with the Lighthouse Group on developing an express transit bus service from the Lighthouse Project to the Mineola LIRR station. Imagine not having to take your car to an Islander game.
Is it fair to say this project is taking longer to get off the ground than you’d like?
Of course, it is taking longer than I and everyone would like. However, it is a large, complex project and the review and approval phase does take time.
What do you say to Islanders fans that haven’t heard any public announcements of progress on the Coliseum project for a long time and are concerned they could one day lose their hockey team?
The Lighthouse Group has assured me they are committed to making this work. I know that they are working as fast as possible to get that shovel (or hockey stick) in the ground, and on the ice. Go Islanders!
Your reaction to Tom Suozzi’s remarks? Comments.
96 Responses to ““IT CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US”
Tom Suozzi on the Lighthouse Project”
Please Wait
Sounds like they have a plan for traffic, lets get this ball rolling
Sounds good so far, but it’s far from a done deal and until that shovel is in the ground I’ll remain on the side of caution
CB, I applaud your efforts, but let’s be real. Suozzi said absolutely NOTHING of substance here. Just more of the typical BS spewing from another politician. This man runs the county - if it was THAT important, he’d be breathing down Murray’s (and everyone else in the Town of Hempstead’s) necks to get this going.
Again, kudos to you CB, but Suozzi did nothing to alleviate Islander fans fears that we will, one day, lose our team.
nassua county or long island deserve this
Good to hear that Suozzi is such a proponent, but the real question is what can he do to turn up the heat on the Town of Hempstead to get Murray to move on this thing?
gotta agree with Rick …. just more political blah blah rhetoric. We need something to hang our hopes on not some more vague BS talk
i’d like to thank tom suozzi for publicly coming out and supporting the project. hopefully this puts some pressure on kate murray to say something soon. i’m very excited by the express bus from the mineola lirr station. that is a great idea. mass transit is a must. thanks for getting the interview chris.
Why do I get this terrible feeling that Kate Murray is going to be to the Islanders what Sheldon Silver was to the Jets and their dream for a West Side stadium? It sickens me that one politican has enough power to actually stop this project from happening.
I hope this gets done. At least it seems as if the County is on board.
What I don’t understand about all this is how does the Town have greater power to delay necessary work for a County project that said Town is in? If the County signed off on it, wouldn’t one think that the Town just has to go along with the process?
No question that this was typical politician speak. But it does bring the issue to the front burner, and does add some pressure to Kate Murray. Both good things. I hope that Suozzi does not already know that this is going down and is just hanging Murray out to dry as the bad guy.
The fact that Murray is quite speaks volumes and not what Islander fans want to hear!
Damn right, KP. I don’t get how the Town of Hempstead can trump the Nassau County Executive. But it shows what we already know - Nassau County has so much red tape and inaction, no one knows who exactly is in charge. It’s an embarrassment, which hopefully will not lead to the nuclear option.
It’s a shame also that Suozzi, even with all his BS rhetoric, couldn’t get himself to even try to pretend like a Coliseum LIRR station would ever happen.
Express buses from Mineola are great in terms of the current option - the Hempstead line sucks, takes forever, runs infrequently, and the N72 or whatever bus ends up making the trip from Penn or Flatbush at least 75-90 minutes. You can get from the city to Mineola in around 30 minutes, and a 10-15 min bus from there would be amazing. However, a LIRR spur from Westbury, down Post Avenue (or beneath it) would be the best way to go. Hopefully, that is being considered, but I doubt it.
It is definitely politician speak, but we also do not know what kind of behind the scenes pressure is going on. Suozzi may run the county, but if he had the ability to ram this down the town’s throat, if he was for this, he probably would have done it already. Thanks for the update, I am sure that we can count on support and more info from Newsday…oops, forgot who owns them now…
Look at you right up in there goin to the horses mouth..lol! good job!
Lets hope all this “talk” from his desk is true and hope/pray she gets on her horse and rides it out.
They talk about the traffic? Is there anywhere on LI where we don’t find traffic? there’s more underneath this then is coming to the suface.
It’s a great idea! the community would benefit from it, LI would benefit from it, jobs, afforable housing, a new Arena for everyone to enjoy, concerts, sporting events, ..)
True it’s a huge project and a good one it is. Can’t wait for the finish!
CB why don’t you ask Suozzi to put Murray’s picture on the Wall of Shame, maybe that will get her to move. You would think with the state of the economy the Town/County would be looking for anything that creates jobs and increases the tax base. This space is not an old-world forest for god’s sake, its 70 acres of blacktop!!!!! Or are the politicians afraid it might bring down the value of Uniondale real estate, yeah that must be it.
Great work C.B. It is unfortunate that this whole plan relies on some women who can give a hoot about the project or the Islanders!
I applaud your efforts and fantastic service to get some answers, CB. But I’m not AT ALL convinced, relieved, or assured. A man who runs an entire county can’t put more political stride into a town? This is ridiculous. Nothing new, same BS over and over.
What I don’t understand is why, with 70 acres of a blank canvas, Wang doesn’t build a brand new arena instead of renovating the current one. I don’t think it’s because of the money and the great sightlines. I’m sure the Devils and their fans are much happier at the Rock than they would be in a renovated Izod Center. And the same goes for the other 24 teams that built new arenas since 1993.
Well, one thing you can say about Suozzi is that he championed and approved the project at the County level, so he’s clearly in our camp here or he would’ve killed it himself. The problem here is that even though the County owns the land, the Town controls the zoning, so anything has to go through the Town first.
I just came back from the Nassau County Planning Commission meeting. The Lighthouse people gave their update, and this is what I can relay to you guys:
- The draft environmental study is almost complete, and public comments begin roughly 2 months after submission.
- After public comments, any changes would be made, and it reverts to the County Planning Commission for approval and then to the legislature for lease negotiations.
They’ve seriously done a ton of work here, and the whole vibe from the County is very much in favor of it. They closed the hearing by saying they wanted the Lighthouse people back in front of them for final approval as soon as possible.
Stay optimistic, folks. Kate Murray will get the message once she sees the support from the County and people like us who stand up and make our voices heard.
Nick lets just hope you are right my man,we need this project badly (understatement of the year)
The support from the county has been there and it does not seem to be speeding up Ms. Murrays process. Suozzi is nothing more than a snake oil salesman, don’t believe the hype!
3rd post by Rick says it all.
“Just more of the typical BS spewing from another politician. This man runs the county - if it was THAT important, he’d be breathing down Murray’s neck”
I couldn’t agree more!
Being that I’m from Western/Central Suffolk I am glad to hear that they’re interested in getting a Public Transportation hub for access to the New Coliseum. How much of an advantage is it that the Rangers & their fans can go directly from a local train station right to their Barn without having to come up to the surface? I know that’s my reason for going to MSG Events rather than having to warm up my car on a snowy night in February leaving my home to venture out again to the coliseum right after I’ve already done that to get home safely from work. On the down side, it is Political Rhetoric that Suozzi spoke about and nothing more.
It’s all in the hands of the lady that loves to send out mailings once a week so we can see her name and face.
CB, it looks like your next interview MUST be with Kate Murray and she must be pressed into a corner to state her views and not allowed to escape with political double speak.
The future of OUR ISLANDERS sits in her hands.
1. Public Transportation would make this project a complete success and boost attendance.
2. Is new temperature-monitoring and refrigeration technology in the plans for the Coliseum renovations. Overspeed won’t work unless there’s ice to skate on.
Folks, I have two comments to the comments so far.
1) Long Island has multiple layers of government and each has their own areas of responsibility. The County cannot force the town to take action or approve certain things. They have to work together. Just like the Federal and State governments.
2) For everyone that points out that these are politicians. You missed the main point. Suozzi is a Democrat and Murray is a Republican. So there will not be a back room party deals going on to get this project moving.
Hi, Brian:
That is the probelm with our country isn’t it (Your point number 2). Politicians tend to make their decesions on how it will reflect on them or what advantage they can gain for their party rather then how it benefits the people.
I wonder how Kate Murry would ever survive politically if she kills this deal and the Isles move? The economic loss would be MASSIVE? If she kills this deal or continues to delay it (where the team gets smart and starts putting heat on her as the sole reason the project STILL hasn’t taken place) she is going to end her career in public service(which I know is a bit of a joke..public service).
thanks for the report nick. glad that the environmental review is finally almost done. sounds positive. looks like early next year is when we find out whether this project goes through or not.
The more I think about this, the more of a moron I am convinced Kate Murray & her advisors are. With the economy crumbling in front of our eyes, with so many people out of work, getting this project going would be a stroke of genius on her part. Think about the great press she would get for this: hundreds, if not thousands of Long Islanders back to work on the construction & infrastructure of the project, not to mention the amount of jobs that would be created once the project was complete. She could even put a clause in the approval that all workers must be legal residents of LI. Breaking ground on this would do nothing but make her look like a godsend to her constituents.
Strummer - I agree with you for the most part. Some of it has to do with political philosophy though too. Some local politicians are more interested in keeping the status quo. Also though I hate to make excuses for her, Murray has a smaller constituency, many of whom will be more directly affected by the Lighthouse Project as they will in the towns that directly surround the area. There may be pressure to keep the status quo from these residents. Example - I know that at one point the Village of Uniondale was concerned about the amount of property taxes that would go to their school system. Anyway I hear ya on the economic loss, but many of the area residents probably don’t care as long as it does not take them longer to get home from work. People are scared of change.
Even if Chris DID get Murray to sit down for an interview, I am sure she would go the route of Suozzi. She would make some generic statements about how much she supports the project and then declare that it is in the hands of someone below her, like the janitor at the TOH offices.
Rick, please back off from the ledge. As I said earlier, the environmental review that’s currently going on is (deep breath) mandated by state law. Nothing anybody says or does can speed it up any more than it’s already been sped up. We’ll have public hearings on this in the January-March timeframe, and THAT is when we need to get Ms. Murray on the record about this.
Does anyone know if it is just this environmental hold up? It is a bit confusing for me since Wang and his partner appears to be paying for most of it.
Awesome info CB!!! Incredible job, well done! This sounds like it is easier to handle than I had previously thought. I figured traffic congestion to be the major obstacle, but with a Hub and connections to Public Transportation, it sounds credible. Its making me think of taking a trip up to Long Island (I reside currently in SW FL) to hopefully see the last days of my Coliseum stompong grounds and then later taking another trip to see the fresh new Lighthouse. That would be amazing.
Lets Go Islanders!
ps- Thanks for this blog page Mr Botta, it really cuts through all the horsepoop and poppycock and gets to the bottom line. You deserve a raise!
Strummer - Conjecture here, but regardless of who is paying for it, there is the environmental study (which includes traffic I believe), property taxes (this is a big one), schools for the hopefully young families that will be moving in (if Uniondale School District has to absorb these additional students, they are going to want a windfall of up front cash, not just an increased property tax base), allocation of the construction jobs. These are just my thoughts. Nick does seem to be much better informed and I assume he will add to the list.
CB - As per MiKe, give yourself a raise since you are running this blog and not being paid by anyone. If you can’t afford to give yourself a raise. Go have dinner and a nice bottle of wine at Gabrielle’s. I’ll foot the tab if I’m invited.
Maybe Kate Murray is a Rangers fan?…hmmm,just wondering.
Thank you chris. I appreciate what you are doing over here at point blank. The islanders do not get nearly as much coverage as other teams. Your blog is one of the only honest, non bias sources for islanders news. Thats said this article didnt give as much info as maybe we would have liked but its a start. The lighthouse needs to be built. We dont want to lose the isles. It needs to get done, hopefully looking forward to summer 09 GOO ISLES
Blah Blah Blah….Nice try CB, You did your job but Suozzi just gave the same lip service that all politicians give.
Maybe I am living in a dream world but all I want is for someone to come out and say….”This is the main issue” or “Mr. XYZ is holding it up” or “Mr ABC is getting money under the table to not push the project through” A good whistle blower in a sense to really expose whats going on there. Hey, maybe nothing is going on.
Not just from an Isles fan point of view, but as a Nassau resident…..ENOUGH!!!! Give us the damn project!!!!!!!
At least we will know soon, the fate of this project and maybe the fate of this organization
For everyone complaining that Suozzi isnt putting any pressure on the TOH to get moving on this- what do you call agreeing to this interview??? The fact that he did this is nothing but a good thing.
THANK YOU for your efforts, Chris.
These two questions are directed to anyone who can answer it with substance (numbers):
1. What is the current economic revenue (or loss) that the Town of Hempstead draws/loses from the current NVMC?
2. What would the economic revenue (or loss) be to the Town of Hempstead if the Lighthouse project went through?
Simply put, if the project brings in more money to the Town of Hempstead if it were to go through, then Ms. Murray would be doing the residents (such as myself) of the Town a true disservice.
Mike the county is currently in the red at 1 million a year and if the project gets done it is estimated that there would be a surplus of 1 million dollars a year. That means the county would be making 2 million a year more than they are now. Some of that money could be used for education, transportation, etc. I don’t see how this could be a bad thing for anyone who lives there. I would also like to ask the idiots who are complaining about traffic problems a question, are you serious? You live right next to NY City but now you’re worried about the traffic this will generate? What a joke.
Thank you David you just reiterated the last 5 post I made btn yesterday and today. Traffic, LMFAO. Where do we all live!?!?!?!
Its Long Island…we are all used to traffic. Whats a few more cars to the mix.
According to the official presentation, the Lighthouse, when fully complete, is projected to raise $70 million in tax revenue per year. I don’t know if that will be the actual end number, and let’s not forget they haven’t negotiated a lease with the County yet, either. I agree with the above post; it’s incredibly short-sighted to think of the project in isolation rather than all the doors that could be opened by the project.
As for the environmental review components, Brian from Massapequa is right. It’s issues such as that, as well as a big issue right now, the groundwater. We need a new well down to the aquifer even without the Lighthouse, so that needs to move forward regardless.
If Kate Murray were to really be the one to stall this I would hope Isles fans would vote her out ASAP. I would also hope that Wang and Rechler use their financial might to support Murray’s political challengers.
Really what are the environmental issues. I have personally worked with both the DEP as well as the DEC and I am having a hard time understanding what “environmental issues” they are referring to? I understand there are with any construction site but this is a formality that should have been resolved by now. This is purely a political cop out and we should really do all we can to get this fruit loop (Murray) moving.
She is sitting back waiting which way to go I suppose. We should all give her a push in the right direction(perhaps in front of a car if need be!)
Well Matt, the review’s been going on for only 5 months. My understanding of SEQRA is that it takes 6-12 months on average for a project like this. Am I wrong on this? Please say so if I am, because the brochure the DEC sent me led me to believe that.
As for Murray, I agree that we need to make very clear this is a voting issue for many people within the TOH, myself included.
Thanks for the interview Chris and also thanks to Nick for the information on the meeting. I’m happy to hear the study is almost complete.
Isn’t it possible that Kate Murray is staying quiet simply because, as a hopefully responsible politician, she is waiting for the study’s findings before endorsing anything? If all looks good with the findings of the study and then the public session, she can feel confident giving her approval since the county has already done so and her town stands to make out well financially. I think I’ll be patient for a little while longer and wait to hear what the study says as well. I do hope it works out!
I honestly don’t know Nick as far as construction and the process, you are probably right. I have been contracted by the DEP and DEC and worked with them for a while off and on. Talking to a few of their employees they seemed to think the delays were BS. But you very well may be right you seem to know your stuff. I never discussed issues with them as far as construction. I had thought that this was a hold up because there was questions of negative environmental impact (noise, air, water)which I would have a problem with. Why would that change so drastically? I know Wang’s plans are extravagant but it would seem to me overkill to delay it to this extent. If it has only been going on for 5 months and the normal time frame is only 6-12 months then why are we all such up in arms about this if this is the normal process?
I don’t think enough people know, honestly. That’s why I try to get the point across in my sometimes inelegant way. Let’s face it, they only submitted the final project scope in December of 07, and the hearings/environmental review kicked off in June. We’ve been at this for 11 months, it just feels like longer because this isn’t the first time. I do know that the environmental document is almost complete, and when it is the public comments can start 2 months later. If that goes smoothly, and I think it will because we haven’t seen organized opposition, we should be on track for a groundbreaking in the summer. We’ll also have to wait until November before we can go to the games the next few years so they can get that extra month for construction. This is all I know from going to the hearings and listening to what they say. I try to be as objective as possible, and I surely wish some things had gone differently, but it’s a great project and I think the momentum is there.
For quick clarification, I think not enough people know because it hasn’t been communicated well enough. I know when we started our advocacy group, a friend of mine who’s an environmental consultant called the DEC and came back with all this information. Before that I was pretty impatient too, but after seeing the process is pretty standard and talking to other people who’ve been through it, I think everything is normal here.
Let’s face it. This is Nassua County where nothing gets done until the right palms are greased.
Well that is good to hear. With all the hoopla and “why is this taking so long” conversations, blogs, and so on it is refreshing to hear a view saying this is all normal. The people I have talked to (who were consultants and field workers) have told me that they didn’t understand the delays. Who knows maybe they didn’t understand the process either which wouldn’t surprise me after getting to know the DEC. If there is one govt. agency that can hold up, delay, or just plain destroy any plan it is the DEC(as well as DEP). Hopefully you are right and this is normal and we get what we want here! That would be a happy day!
Once they announce it is 100% that this will happen the Isles will have a much easier time attracting free agents. If they do it before next summer that means part of the arena renovation will be done before the next season.
It really would be nice to breath easy and know our team isn’t moving. It really sucks having that on the melon all the time!
It all sounds fine and dandy to me. Unfortunately talk is cheap, and he is just another politician, so until a shovel is in the ground it all means nothing.
Oh I’m not referring to Suozzi or anybody for that matter they are all crooked.
I know a lot of people are frustrated with Kate, but remember this- she could have already said no, and she hasnt. Theres no reason to think that she would be prolonging things if she did not want things to go through. Like I said, I heard the words come right out of her mouth that she supports the project- that has to count for something! What would the benefit be to saying that she supports it if she didnt?
Any chance we get the “off-the-record” answers in tomorrows post? :p Haha Keep up the good work Mr. Botta. Always an interesting read.
I remember going to the game last year where Kate Murray was supposed to drop the puck. She decided there were more pressing matters to attend to and sent an underling instead. That action spoke pretty loud to me.
I do have one question though. I think I remember reading that Wang could get the authority to renovate the building at any time, without the rest of the development of the surrounding area. Is that true? If so, why doesn’t he start there?
Come to think of it, that might have been speculation I read on another board or something. Info from someone who knows would be appreciated.
Nice work CB, next interview is with Kate Murray !!!
I can understand the person who posted and suggested that Kate is waiting for the environmental study before going public, etc.
But isn’t it bad business on her part - to at least say something in public to just say that she is waiting on the study?
I don’t get positive vibes from the Town.
I also don’t necessarily have the time to go to Kate’s office with picket signs either just yet…..not sure that would be fair……and not being a T.O.H. resident, I don’t feel as I have juridstiction (per se) as a voter, but I do as a consumer of the Isles product.
Happy to hear ideas through this forum as to what, if anything, the fans can do to help along the process.
I don’t want to blindly sign over my proxy to the Lighthouse team at this point…..
That said, I do think maybe I will have to stop and talk to the nice lady who stands outside on the concourse during the game with the table promoting the Lighthouse and see what they have to say.
I am more angry over the inaction than anything else. And if my anger is misplaced - I need to be educated on that subject by the LIghthouse team and by Murray.
Pat
Some of you are getting so heated, and the name calling isn’t neccessary guys C’mon agree to disagree, I mean I understand everyone’s frustrated, believe me in many ways so am I, but I think the attention surrounding this topic speaks for itself, for Suozzi to take time and sit with CB, an ok maybe Suozzi didn’t address or uncover things to the extent some were hoping, but nonetheless he took time out of his day to let fans know how he felt about things and more or less whose lap things are in at this stage, at least we heard something.
What’s the “environment”? The answer is important, because many decision-making bodies do not appreciate how broadly SEQRA defines the environment. Impacts that must be considered when SEQR applies include “the physical conditions which will be affected by a proposed action, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, noise, objects of historic or aesthetic significance, existing patterns of population concentration, distribution, or growth, and existing community or neighborhood character.” ECL §8-0105 [6]. Potential impacts on any of these are “environmental impacts.” SEQR’s definition of the environment thus encompasses three areas: (1) physical impacts, (2) impacts on population patterns, and (3) impacts on community
This next piece is important. If this study is not done properly & rushed or nudged to approval then the bigger problem is the whole project can be denied in court.
In New York, planning boards, town boards, city councils and other government agencies (not private developers) must comply with strict procedures for the review of environmental impacts of proposed projects they approve. If the procedures are not adhered to, citizens may challenge the agency’s decision in court, generally seeking to have the decision annulled and the environmental review process started over.
I do agree with Suozzi that the main focus should be renovating the Coliseum,we really don’t need the rest of the project ASAP, as much as a rebuilt Coliseum
UIF - short answer to your issue about just renovating the Coliseum - yes, and why would he? From my perspective that would give the County, the Town, or whomever else the ability to get a new building without having to pay for it and then pull out the rest of the project from under the Lighthouse team. That would be an absolute disaster and probably the quickest way for Wang to sell the team (not to mention lawsuits, public arguing, etc.). The whole project is bundled at this point.
Pat - you’ll have plenty of chances once the public comments start to get solid answers out of people. That is when the whole project will have so much momentum it will take quite a bit to kill it.
JohnnyC - excellent point, didn’t know that.
Clarification - I think it would be a disaster because the whole point of the surrounding development (I think) is to make back the money spent on the arena. Losing that just means throwing an additional $400 million down the same pit as whatever else Wang has lost since he bought the team (regardless if it’s 2 million or 200 million).
jfnisles on Nov 21st, 2008 10:52:15 said:
“I do agree with Suozzi that the main focus should be renovating the Coliseum,we really don’t need the rest of the project ASAP, as much as a rebuilt Coliseum”
The Coliseum will be the first thing done… it seems that Charles just wants to know that the rest of it is officialyy OK’ed before he spends his millions fixing up NVMC. I dont blame him!
Doing a stand-alone renovation on the coliseum would be a disaster, as Nick said, because the math just wouldn’t add up for Wang. He’s losing as much as $20 million a year on the Islanders. Dump another $300+ million to rebuild NVMC, plus several million more to buyout SMG’s control of the building, and he’s then hundreds of millions of dollars in the hole. He’ll never make that money back just from the coliseum itself. He needs the money earned from the surrounding development to recoup his losses.
Great job Chris on the interview,but i say if nassau county keeps draggin their feet,what about moving the team to suffolk county??Nassau is overcrowded and hempstead is a dump!I hope they get this project done but uniondale is a garbage area!!
In addition to hearing Suozzi support the project at various functions I’ve attended, the County Comtroller, Howard Weitzman, has also spoken, not only in favor of the project, but of the absolute necessity of the project. The County has done all that it can do at this point and is solidly behind the Lighthouse Project. Why people are still blaming the County for the delay is beyond me. Now the fact that those in power for the County are democrats and the old guard Nassau County Republican Party still controls the Town of Hempstead wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with the lack of progress, would it? Hmmm. . . .
Hotstick
(1) the Town of Hempstead contains some of the most beautiful and affluent locations in nassau county. If you think places like Garden City, Rockville Center, etc are “dumps” then whats your neighborhood like?
(2) Your idea of “just move to Suffolk” would mean another decade of rred tape- dont you SEE that??? If things came t0o that it would horrible, terrible, it would mean all these years of work and effort were wasted and then they would have to start all over again from step ONE. Dont you see that??? It would be a tragedy if that was all that this team had left to hope for… and I dont see any reason to focus on something that would be so unbelievably bad for the team.
(3) I wish that I could say “everything will work out” with 100% confidence. However, just because Im not doing that doesnt mean that everything has to be the total other extreme and suddenly its “theres no way anything will work out.” We know there is tons of red tape. We know that there are powerful politicians behind this. We know that there has been very little opposition to the project. Cant we just look at those positives objectively?
I live out east, the idea of taking trains to the Coliseum makes me salivate. I would go to 10 more games a season. I go to 3 or 4 right now. Whoever mentioned that this would result in a substantial attendance boost hit it right on the noggin. They would sell out every game the first couple seasons. It’s just such a no-brainer that I can’t even fathom them screwing it up.
nice work botta…can you please call doug about retireing #27
Wang is a clown who only bought the team for the real estate. I actualy wish he would give up the team to a real owner who knows about the sport. Of course I want them to stay in LI, but Wang never learns.
I hate this feeling! There’s nothing I can do to put pressure on an elected official for whom I cannot vote against. There are many Islanders fans who do not live in the town of North Hempstead. I’m in Nevada, but what about the fans from Suffolk, Queens, Jersey, etc? There’s NOTHING we can do.
Hate this feeling. Oh well, if the Isles move, maybe they’ll follow me out here…
Perhaps they’ll build a new areana on the Strip near Treasure Island and they could still be called the Islanders?
David - I agree with you. The point I was making was that if the ToH (not the county) was in place to have an increae in revenue as opposed to what it sees now, and if Murray blocked the project anyway, then she would be doing the residents of the Town a true disservice.
As for the public transportation portion…that is laughable. The location is suburbia…the land of the two cars per family & three or more as after kids grow up and drive themselves.
Long Island’s concept of public transportation is this: Increase public transportation for everyone else to use so there will be less cars on the roads for me in my car.
Nick, I guess that’s sort of my issue then. It almost seems like the “need for a new building” is being used as bait for the rest of the project, which really is not directly related to the team we all care about. If we look at the issues separately, they should both get done. If the “Islanders need a new building,” which most of us agree they do, and the proper authorization is there already, then let’s get the renovation done.
If the rest of the development “will bring in jobs now and in the future, and create an amazing Long Island hub,” then I don’t see any reason why that can’t stand on its own merits.
If the building is renovated first, and it is attracting more people to the area, it seems that would only add to the argument that there should be more development of the surrounding real estate.
I guess I almost feel like we’re being urged to take action and write to the proper people on behalf of the surrounding development plan, rather than the building we all want, if the building already has the authorization. Perhaps I’m missing the larger picture, and I’m sure my assessment is somewhat naive…
Keeping in mind that they’re not my words, I agree with your last sentence. By my lights, it boils down to this:
- Wang has lost money since buying the team. The amount is debatable, but we all know it’s true.
- The County and State have not shown a willingness to provide public money for a new arena, and the new privately-financed baseball and football stadiums in this area have now set a precedent.
Given these 2 facts, there is only 1 real option: you develop the land around the Coliseum to raise money for a privately-financed arena. Developing the whole property was a requirement of the Nassau Legislature in getting the project done, as was re-iterated by the Planning commission yesterday. The land around the Coliseum WILL be re-developed by somebody at some time. It’s gotten to that point. I would rather have it be part of a larger entertainment destination.
I don’t want to be rude here, but if you think you’re being used, write the $400 million check to renovate the building yourself. It’s unreasonable to expect someone who lost a large amount of money as it is (not to mention the team is now worth about $60 million less than he paid for it, according to Forbes) to now flush more money down the toilet. With the presence of a new arena, the urgency will be gone, and we will have the same situation we have now, with a nicer building.
It WAS an option, but the Coliseum is included with the rest of the project. No project, no Coliseum, no Islanders. There’s your big picture.
“write the $400 million check to renovate the building yourself.”
Um…sure, as long as I get a bailout if it bounces…
Seriously, I see your point, but then I think the argument should be framed the way you framed it…instead of simply, “If the Islanders don’t get a new building, they’re gone.” That’s really not the main issue - developing the surrounding area is.
I think that’s deliberately how they’re doing it. At the hearings the Islanders are not the central point of their argument. Funny, it’s kind of a catch-22, if they focus too much on the Islanders it diminishes the project’s appeal to the overall community, but concentrating on non-hockey issues makes it look like an after-thought to some Islander fans. Chris TMC was dead-on earlier, Wang wants to do this but needs assurances the rest will get done before he puts the shovels in the ground. I own a business, and I’m sure you work in some similar capacity. As a business owner I would never spend money without an assurance that I could protect my investment. Same situation here.
Also, thanks for understanding I wasn’t flaming you by the whole write the check yourself thing. This project exists to give us a wonderful destination point on Long Island and to prevent the taxpayers from having to foot the bill. Trust me, the organized opposition would be deafening if this was a “let’s pass a bond issue to build a new Coliseum” thing.
i’m not familiar with the politics of suffolk county. is the red tape there just as bad as it is in nassau county?
Seriously, enough with the Suffolk nonsense.
Does Wang own title to the land or do the taxpayers get to keep it?
Hmm…..
If Wang lost any money overall in his ownership of the Isles….well shucks, it’s a write off. If Wang owns the land and the venue and the team and decides to continue operating the team like this forever, the Isles might as well fold and spare us all as the team we all love and adore is essentially dead.
Please if there is a fair and just God let this whole thing be turned down and force Wang to sell. Sell t to someone willing to renovate the NVMC or build a new one and MOST IMPORTANTLY run the team like he actually wants to…..win?
I’d rather no building than have Wang glued to this team forever. Hope he sells after it’s turned down for the sake of all Islander fans. Enough of Dey, Snow, Sparky, idiocy and LOSING!!!!!
Let’s not hope he gets glued to our hearts forever like a cancerous tumor.
And one final thing…..a vote:
A. Wang gets the plan approved and never sells and the project goes up and the Isles never win the Stanley Cup or do anything substantial ever again under GM’s Snow, Hilbert, Dey, DiPietro and Milbury (hired to fix the team after Rick’s hip gives out).
B. Project struck, Wang sells team, local investors buy team, NVMC is redone/refurbed, quality GM hired, Islanders build, team does well and eventually makes Finals again.
C. Project turned down, Wang reduces costs further than he already has and hires daughter as GM. Dey turns gay and elopes with Garth Snow. Hilbert named GM.
C is ridiculous. A and B are quite plausable. Which one of the three do you prefer?
Wang should def sell the team..he knows nothing about hockey..please sell!!
DP’s Hip, that’s a joke. If you’re actually a fan of this team, please renounce. We don’t need “fans” like you.
Though, I’ll play:
A. Complete conjecture
B. Complete fantasy. Where were these investors the last 4 times the team was sold?
C. You said it yourself.
I want this team to win the Cup, but I also want it to win the Cup on Long Island instead of in Vegas or Kansas Freaking City. If you honestly think fighting the Lighthouse is helping, that’s just delusional at this point. There are very little options for this team aside from that, and to blame the problem on Wang, the only person who has had the money, the means, and the patience to deal with this BS from all sides, is beyond ludicrous. How is being committed to keeping the team here not committed to winning? Eh, whatever, it’s not worth arguing with people whose minds are nailed shut.
A was a bit melodramatic but given Wang’s decision making……WHAT makes you think he can become a successful owner after every year of failing or crashing or being an embarrassment in the media?
B is plausable given Gutkowski was ready to buy if not for SMG, was going to build a new arena and FIRE MILBURY (which Wang never did) and make this team win or try harder than Hilbert to win.
C I said was a joke.
So since I’m willing to debate with someone whose mind is cemented over after being welded shut as far as the team being great and going well and all holy and Wang being great and a saint et al…..how do you see Wang getting ALL THIS LAND AND REAL ESTATE changing how he’s MISrun this franchise into the cellar? Our prospects aren’t getting better, we’re getting smaller and still overpaying scrap heaps and hiring coaches via CRAIGSLIST…..how ar you certain we’re going to get better at being an NHL team in the future?
And what makes someone NOT interested in building an small city the taxpayers will get screwed on a bad idea? If Wang sells to someone who goes out and hires a REAL GM, and we end up with a Ilitch type, instead of a Wurtz/Jacobs type?
Being committed to keeping the team here BTW means not coming out in the press and demanding the billionaire gets the land or else…..leaving it up in the air that if Wang doesn’t get his LAVISH project, he won’t do anything with the arena and might sell or move or whatever the SEC violating criminal SOB might do.
I should have asked if you were Chris Dey from the start, Nick….well, are you? Would you be irate if anyone disagreed with the ownership?
Wow….I’m writing this in my pink diary as soon as I’m finished with the post. Someone with your brilliant intellect has deigned to talk to a cement-head such as myself. Wow….I’m, I’m just in awe, and this is one of the top 5 moments of my life.
In all seriousness, your whole argument is now that I must be Chris Dey because I disagree with you and don’t think Wang is evil for wanting to protect his investment? I am not Chris Dey, and shockingly you can support the organization without being paid off by anyone.
Your entire argument here is based upon so many logical fallacies I don’t know which one to address first. Nassau County REQUIRED that any re-development of the Coliseum itself included a re-development of the arena. It doesn’t matter if Gutkowski or anyone else owned the team (though with Jim Balsillie lurking around now with all those crackberry dollars just waiting to move some team to Hamilton I doubt Gutkowski is still in much of a running). So right there, “giving the billionaire the land” is completely false. He won the right to re-develop it in an RFP process, and if not the Lighthouse we’d be talking about some other huge development on the site.
Second, the government has already proven unwilling to provide public funds for a new arena. Any other owner would have to privately finance it in some way. Since there’s currently no way to make money off the arena, what do you have to do? Re-develop it. Simply saying some other owner would ride in here like a white knight and throw $400 million at a new arena without wanting something in return is crazy. You’re basically saying that if everything were different, we’d get a new arena. Yes, and if my life had turned out differently and society wasn’t what it was, I could be dating Beyonce, Jessica Alba, and Scarlett Johansson at the same time. Whoops, that’s not in the cards either.
I especially love this part:
Being committed to keeping the team here BTW means not coming out in the press and demanding the billionaire gets the land or else…..leaving it up in the air that if Wang doesn’t get his LAVISH project, he won’t do anything with the arena and might sell or move or whatever the SEC violating criminal SOB might do.
So, who’s done that? Jim Baumbach? Wang has been surprisingly quiet about the whole process because unlike other owners whose initials are Gluckstern and Milstein, he didn’t see this as a cash grab. He understands how crazy local politics on Long Island can be and he’s willing to play by their rules. That’s the only shot we have of getting something built there.
For the Lighthouse, let’s imagine it as a journey of 100 steps. We’re at probably step 70 now based on my knowledge of the situation (from going to the hearings and asking people questions). If we get a new owner, we have to go all the way back to step 0, because all those relationships and negotiations are now out the window. A new owner jeopardizes the team’s future far more.
Listen, you obviously don’t have to think Wang is a good owner, but don’t call me some kind of shill because I disagree with you. We need fan support here, and I still don’t understand why this “fan base” still attacks the team as its first instinct. If you want to discuss further, go ahead. I’m still not Chris Dey.
I was being sarcastic so I apologise. Wang is a horrible owner…..I’m sure watching the “progress” since he took over would leave little to question about that. A new owner would be far better or as bad……but when in quicksand, grab anything!
Now the arena being redeveloped is good…….the land going to the owner or financier who redevelops the building? Not so good…..the arena only being redeveloped because the financier wants to build a small city and traffic nightmare? Bad.
Now if we’re at step 70 in the wrong way and have to drop to step 0 again to go the right way? Great. The team needs an arena and an owner who can make us a success in the NHL. Milbury to Smith to embarassment to Snow to today’s threat to draft Tavares/Hedman? perhaps if Wang didn’t buy…..would we be in the playoffs every year? Possibly. Yashin at 10 years and DP 15 years nevermind playing against our Roberto Luongo? No.
Milbury would be gone and a real GM hired and probably a ground breaking for a new arena would be in place if Wang didn’t buy.
So since we’re on the wrong path…..why not just say thanks but no thanks, no new arena, you can’t run this team and the building is just a place for the team to be viewed…..
and you are not giving us a team worth viewing Mr. Wang in the past, present and probably future given the mistakes that are so recurring nin your reign.
Take the right path and hope he sells rather than gets a land deal/land grab (the arena’s land) and never is going to sell/leave this team alone.
You support Wang’s operations, you hope for this deal. You dislike the way this team is run and the characters hired to run it? You are opposed to this land grab.
Now that’s just logic on emotional decision making…….the Wang connection to scandal and the dishonest grilling of taxpayers by billionaires after their land? That’s another story.
I think the biggest concern from an environmental standpoint will be the effect on regional fauna…