WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, KATE MURRAY?
Time for Hempstead Town Supervisor to take a stand
(Old Town Hall, Hempstead. Do not storm...yet.)
Editor’s Note: Just as I published this entry, I heard from Nassau County. My interview with County Executive Tom Suozzi will run on Thursday…CB
Throughout the last week many of you have called for Point Blank to create a petition, host a rally, storm Town Hall and do all sorts of stuff on behalf of the Lighthouse Project.
I appreciate where you’re coming from, but I’m taking a spot on the sidelines for the next little while. In the last two weeks, we’ve written three articles on the Coliseum issue and Don La Greca and I moved the story along with Gary Bettman on our radio show. The coverage may have led to Jim Baumbach authoring a Lighthouse column on Sunday. Now the talk has reached a near-fever pitch.
But the next step is not a rally or another petition, and we’re fairly certain that’s for far bigger organizations than our little blog to handle anyway. The office of my former colleagues on the PR/marketing team at the Lighthouse at Long Island would be a good place to start.
The next step is for someone from the Town of Hempstead to provide a public update. As Baumbach pointed out, there has been months of silence on the arena topic. Shoot, for all we know everything is rosey. It would be kind of awkward if we formed some big rally and Scott Rechler showed up and said, “Hey, we really appreciate it, but everything’s cool. I’ll take it from here.”
I don’t agree with Baumbach that it has to be Charles Wang doing all the talking, or that the Islanders owner needs to drop hints on a Plan B. (There can only be one Plan B: leave Nassau, hideous lease be damned). All sides - County, Town and the Lighthouse development team - should let the people know what’s up.
(No, those are not Lighthouse plans Kate Murray and Tom Suozzi are, uh, holding up)
While it’s nice that Town of Hempstead supervisor Kate Murray stood in front of 50 cheering locals and next to a bulldozer last week in announcing plans to demolish the Courtesy Hotel, does anyone know where she truly stands on the Lighthouse Project? Let’s face it: especially these days, it’s a lot easier to destroy than be a visionary and build.
This may not have been what Murray signed up for when she was elected Town Supervisor in 2001, but the reality is the biggest development deal in modern Long Island history is in her hands. Wang bought the Islanders in 2000 after a half-decade of mismanagement by others who only saw the hockey team as a real estate buy. Everyone knew a long time ago this moment was coming. What has Murray had to say about it? Not much of any substance.
Asked by former Suffolk County Executive Pat Halpin on “Meet the Leaders” on Cablevision for her “vision” for the Coliseum property, Murray fidgeted and said, “Pat, you’re looking to get me on the record and I’m very concerned.” It is a question she declines to answer when asked a second time in the program. She discusses understandable concerns about traffic and environmental impact, while Halpin talks about the positive effects of increasing the tax base and employment at a time of need.
In the interview Murray volunteers that she offered to Charles Wang to re-develop the arena immediately as a stand-alone project. That doesn’t work. Most everyone knows Wang was born in Shanghai, but it wasn’t yesterday. See the interview here and let us know what you think. Our take: Kate Murray wants no part of this blockbuster deal. We really hope we are wrong.
Two calls over the last week to Murray’s staff have not been returned. A Q & A arranged with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi has been stalled for the last four weeks. Still, the most important person to hear from is Murray. She has many remarkable accomplishments on her resume, starting with being the first woman in the three-century history of Hempstead Town to hold its highest office. For all that she has achieved, it is her stewardship of this development that could define her legacy as a community leader.
Say something, Supervisor. A lot of people wouldn’t be overjoyed, but at this point we’d even be okay with “This is not happening while I’m around.” At least it would be an answer, a position. I know, taking a stand is a political career-killer.
While we wait on Murray, Suozzi or perhaps - in the most dire scenario - someone from the Lighthouse team to make the next move, all one can really do these next two months is call or email Town Hall with support or concerns for the Coliseum project (the Lighthouse site has all the contact info). Seems crazy for anyone to get worked up when the real power brokers are not inclined toward transparency.
While we hope for a bi-partisan, joint effort between the Town and County, there will be no major decisions made, no deals signed between now and the end of the holiday season. But if anyone in power would like to let Islanders fans and concerned residents know if we’ll ever be able to meet at the Lighthouse - and see the Islanders stay in Nassau - that sure would be neighborly.
(Thursday: An interview with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi)
We welcome your feedback in Comments.
71 Responses to “WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, KATE MURRAY?
Time for Hempstead Town Supervisor to take a stand”
Please Wait
Get it done!!!!
Thank you for your effort in attempting to get some answers about this deal.
Good effort, Chris. Its a shame the way this thing is being handled.
a statement of any kind from kate murray would be greatly appreciated. if i remember correctly some fans made it to the public hearings earlier in the year and were able to pull murray aside and i believe she told them that she wanted it to happen. i guess we’ll see if really does soon.
OK Botta, you just let us know when to get the torches, pitch forks, and hockey sticks out to go down there.
Is there an address or e-mail address for Ms. Murray where we could write in support of the project and tell her it is not good policy to keep the public in the dark?
I am not kidding when I say that it would be greatly effective to march over to town hall wearing Isles jerseys and with hockey sticks in our hands. There needs to be some display of public discontent before these elected officials start to realize that this plan is serious, and they better start taking it seriously. I am so sick and tired of waiting for something to happen. Wang owns the land, and he’s not allowed to build on it using his own money? I thought this was America…when do we march Strummer? Because I’m down for a public sacrifice if necessary as well…we just have to find someone to do it.
botta //you have to do it bro make it a grass roots movement it will snowball lets get a demonstration going soon. LETS DO IT BOTTA111111
heres some contact info:
http://www.townofhempstead.org/content/home/contact.html
If Kate Murray is hiding from this…well then maybe she is not fit to be this high in office. Get the protests and marches on baby!!
Great info in this article that deals with the REAL ISSUES. While the Lighthouse Project is amazing, it may be too much. If I were a politician, I’d be wary to move on it. Great line in this article is “taking a stand is a political career killer”. I tell ya, what should be more focused on is SMG. Spectator Management Group, a Philadelphia-based company. They hold the Isles hostage with the outlandish lease that was signed decades ago. THINK ABOUT IT.
I think things need to happen fast. It is so easy for politicians and public officials to put things off by ignoring it. Doesn’t hurt them in anyway. Now, when you expose them in the press and put heat on them then they tend to get moving.
Hey, someone needs to make bumper stickers and other things for the car that says something like “Approve the Lighthouse Project Now!” or “I am an Islander fan and I vote!” I think yard signs like those used for political campaigns would make a ton of sense as well. Raise awareness on the issue!
If not we start lynching people! LOL
Maybe a public march would help, I mean it saved the devils from being moved to nashville
i’m w/ strummers army! lets take this to the streets!!!
“OK Botta, you just let us know when to get the torches, pitch forks, and hockey sticks out to go down there.” - Strummer’s Army
Amen brother! I’m just saying.
But yeah, I agree with you on all the other things you said too, we need to raise awareness on this issue. I mean we’ve been sitting on our @$$es way too long!
we better get it done. maybe ppl should protest. if someone gets it organized i could get in on that
When I was at the TOH meeting months ago (one that I got up and spoke at for a few minutes) Kate Murray specifically stated that she supports the Lighthouse project and that it will be a great thing for Long Island. She also said that she was speaking for the whole board. Yes that was months ago, but that IS what she said.
chris tmc, thats good news to hear, but i really wonder what is the delay then. I mean if its because of traffic, thats bs, there will always be traffic
kate murray is a rangers fan
I believe that if this is built it will create havoc traffic-wise in the surrounding areas; it will be like it is around Roosevelt Field is on the weekends every day , something that the surrounding communities do not need. I say, just build a new arena, or move the team. sometimes a parking lot is best kept a parking lot. Now if a LIRR station was put in or some real thinking towards ancillary traffic, then I would be convinced, but as of now, no answer to that has been put in the public eyes, so, I guess there is no plans to develop anything to relieve traffic concerns.
My advice to anyone living around that property is move out now!!
I was just going to say that Andy, hehe
A bad day at work totally wiped away by this 5-1 whoopin the Rags are taking right now at the hands of the team we held to 1 goal just 2 nights before.
Lets hope the 2008-09 Rangers = 2007-08 Senators….Strong start, not-so-good ending
As for the Comeau talk, we are on a streak here and playing good, solid hockey. I say call up the hot-hand and keep the momentum rolling.
I hope Snow is taking calls for Comrie. He gets hurt and the team starts winning. Get a 3rd rounder and call it a day. If we keep winning and this team really comes together, we have Silly coming back soon……if we really want to turn heads again, we can make an offer to Sundin.
Nothing wrong with getting true NHL professionals of the game teaching the kids. Look at what Morrow is doing with our defensemen in the short time he’s been around.
On another note:
Vancouver Press: “Did we say Islanders? Sorry we meant RANGERS” ….. 5-2 Vancouver in the 2nd
The funny part is Sam and Joe said during the pre-game that 1 goal is all either goaltender needed tonight.
Well the game is just 1/2 over now and 7 goals have been scored.
I still don’t get how Lundqvist can pull himself out of a game. Since when is a player above a coach?
*DO NOT ENTER ANY DP COMMENTS HERE*
LOL : )
what time did the rags game start, why is it only in 2nd
started at 7:30
I have no idea why
You know what bugs me the most about the complete neglect of importance this is getting from Murray? The fact that I see her all the time and she is NOT a busy lady, regardless of what your unreturned phone calls would lead you to believe. She recently dedicated a tiny memorial stone in Levittown (accompanied by a smaller plaque reminding everyone who put it there, KATE MURRAY KATE MURRAY KATE MURRAY!!)
She seems self obsessed. I work at the public Library in Levittown and I see her in there, browsing through DVDs, speaking to the director. This does not look like a woman concerned with the production of a multimillion dollar sports complex and venue. She is simply NOT INTERESTED. She is much more concerned with doing little deeds like the aforementioned memorial (throw it in the pile lady, we have plenty of them) and putting her name up whereever she can.
Just look to Glendale, AZ and the successful community/sports arena developed there Ms. Murray. Let’s get this thing moving. Who would have ever thought the Nordiques would leave Quebec, don’t let it happen!
Vinny - Sounds to me like she is the classic Long Island local politician
Well then the Isles should agree to put a gigantic plaque on NVMC thanking/worshipping her and lets do this thing!
I can’t see the interview from this computer but from her comments that you mentioned CB, it doesn’t seem like Ms. Murray has any intent of giving the whole project a green light. (How long is she in office for?). What a shame. I’m thinking Mr. Suozzi’s call gave you nothing of substance; betting you would have said something. Or are you playing with us…like you did with the Bailey thing? ..:)
thanks for the updates cb. if i can read this woman, the residents will have more to say about congestion,horn honking and traffic than about millions and millions being made in hempstead.. i just dont see it happening
Chris,
Charles Wang has stated on numerous occasions that he will not refurbish the coliseum unless the Lighthouse project is given the OK. Period!
At the end of the day, the purchase of the Islanders was a means to an end, the control and development of the acreage surrounding the coliseum. He wants the rental dollars that the Lighthouse will provide.
Kate has called the Lighthouse project a city. And in essence it is, and it will be the final death knoll of Hempstead Village, and she knows it. That is the problem. What Roosevelt Field did not kill of outright, the Lighthouse will.
I believe that if the Lighthouse is not approved, Wang will sell the Islanders, hopefully to NY interests, so that he will not be blamed for the team’s relocation by the NHL to Canada or some other US market. Wang does not want to build an arena only! Not in Nassau (Uniondale or Elmont) or in Suffolk. If he did, he could have started five years ago and we would all be enjoying watching our team in a wonderful new venue.
Perhaps, if Kate would condemn all of Hempstead Village, use eminent domain and let Reckson and Wang redevelop it and put the Lighthouse there, then perhaps this will get done.
Kate Murray & Tom Suozzi are no better then any of the other imbiciles we have put in positions of power. How anyone can have any faith in any of these clowns to actually get something done is beyond me. Bottom line - Chuckles & Rechler simply haven’t ‘greased the wheels’ enough to get the project approved. Nassau politics, just like everywhere else in the US, is as corrupt as it gets.
LOL, now that I’ve read the comments a couple of things come to mind:
I know the’re supposedly doing an environmental study but what about a traffic study? Wouldn’t that need to do done too or was it already?
TMC - she may have said that to you at the time and meant it but maybe after that friends and colleagues voiced some displeasure, thereby changing her mindset??? Hopefully not but possible I guess.
Also TMC - great idea! Name one of the buildings after her, The Kate Murray Medical Sports Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Invention Center - LOL!
Kate Murray didnt say it to ME per se, she said it officially, on record, at the meeting. This wasnt like a personal conversation between us, this was part of the actual meeting itself.
I know that a lot of people are saying how much negative feedback they think there will be, but there really hasnt been negative feedback about this idea that Ive seen mentioned anywhere- only the speculation of its existence by concerned Isles fans. They mentioned the positive response of the community at the meeting, too. It was an open meeting where people and organizations were invited to voice their concernes. There wasnt anyone there who as an individual or a rep of an organization said that they didnt want this project to go forth.
Peoples biggest complaint is about the traffic that is already a problem that needs to be addressed, you know? If the area is built up there will be more of a financial motivation to FIX the traffic.
Willis - I think the traffic study is part of the enviromental study. I could be wrong, but I believe that is the case.
nice work botta-bing. looking forward to tomorrow.
The residents of that area? They should be happy there is something of substance in that area! Honking and traffic. Are you guys kidding me. It’s already there! Even with 8000 at an Islander game there is traffic. They have a plan to relieve it including more exits. Which anybody who goes to games will
agree will help quite a bit! Half the people that live in that area are non-existent, non-taxpaying individuals. Give me a break they should be happy to see something in there neighborhood besides crack dealers, hookers, and drunk teenagers from hofstra. Hope they like it when it turns into an empty lot!!! Go ahead attack me!!!!!
By the way sorry for double post but great job CB. We really need to do whatever we have to, to make this happen! I’m down with the pitch forks!
Taxpayers, Wang wants your land for his touch up of the arena and a means to billions. Please help……give him the land so he can make money and sign Andy Sutton to a 12 year extension? Please, he needs your land!
Let him develop the land he owns, but the NVMC should stay county property and te focus should be on condemning the SMG lease, not getting Charles Wang, corrupt CEO and stock market crook, the deed to the land and the right to make lives miserable for anyone who lives near the NVMC.
If he cared about the team he would have gotten a real GM and fired Milbury and given fans hope. This latest gamble might work but we would be so much better if we had brains in place to make better decisions. He just wants taxpayer owned land to build his city and reap billions.
I just don’t see this Lighthouse coming to reality. This team is doomed. Wang is playing us for suckers.
You are clearly out of your mind. I am not exactly the hugest Wang fan but if the guy wanted to make millions he theres better ways to do it. He has been losing millions for years, he deserves a return on his investment. Wang is not playing you for suckers, it is the govt. of Long Island and the town of Hempstead that have been playing us all for fools for years. Again I am not a Wang fan but come on the guy has been losing cash for years now bcs politicians sit on their hands and the people of Long Island sit there with their thumbs up their a$$es. This is not going to get passed with out people pushing it so if you want it passed scream, write, and push for it. If you do nothing it won’t happen!
Why is that if Mr. Wang wants to make money it’s somehow looked at as if he’s a money gobbling deviant…
Do we say that of Steinbrenner? The Wilpons?
Wouldn’t it be to the Islanders advantage to have a successful owner that is willing to put his own money on the line?
To make money in ways that are directly and indirectly associated with the franchise?
This would anchor the Islanders to Nassau County. Virtually assuring us that it remains right where it belongs.
A big real estate deal is what will make the Islanders and the surrounding area profitable for Wang and Reckson Associates and provide us fans a great team and entertainment and we all win.
STOP accusing him of being something other than the successful businessman that we wish we all could be!
DOC
Obviously, pro sports is now a complicated matter that isn’t as simple as being the owners like The Tisch’s and Mara’s and Rooney’s were in the old days of the NFL.
Modern day sports franchise ownership requires multiple streams of income and avenues that include real estate, television stations, internet, marketing, international fans (the Yankees with Japan, China, South America etc.), the Islanders with China… and so forth.
If we want a franchise on the Island, then the necessary accoutrement’s will be something like the lighthouse project.
Wang is a visionary. Willing to take chances. (ie: Milbury, Snow, The Commitee, the 15 year contract, Neulion, Islanders TV… etc.) Some are good ideas, some are not so good. But if nothing else, the guy has proven he cares and is willing to try anything to make this work.
DOC
If anyone is interested in making up bumper stickers or decals for their cars to show support of the lighthouse project come down to Tri-County Flea Market in Levittown. I work at a vinyl shop inside on Saturdays and Sundays and have tried to get something going but would love to hear other ideas and maybe together we could come up with an effective way to get our voices heard!
-Rob
I guess the successful businessman who was CEO when his company cooked the books and defrauded investors with a scandal that mysteriously sent everyone but him to jail is something to aspire to?
How much money is the NVMC plot of land worth? He says he’ll spruce up the arena and we deed title to him?
Now the man bought up Oyster Bay, is going to buy up and control the NVMC and I’m a conspiracy loon?
No, I just have a threshhold for fandom and as much as I’d like a new arena, I don’t want a criminal getting away with a huge land grab because the headlines “Islanders moving if Wang doesn’t get his way” are on every message board and Bettman talk and Islander piece every month.
So we should reward the man because he’s losing a few million allegedly? He was making money when we were in the playoffs and he had the means to either buy out SMG or buy out our top offensive point getter….he chose to buy out Yashin and not SMG (Al D’Amato’s employer).
Poor guy won’t make money I guess….until you cry enough and the town authorizes the largest land grab in state history since Manhattan was bought.
That is actually a really good idea rob. Visual aids are always good.
Funny… you would think that if he really was doing something illegal he would have been brought up on at least an indictment of charges.
Trump owns a lot of land… foreign companies own some of our greatest resources and landmarks here on American soil…
But Wang wants to buy land on Long Island and needs to put pressure on local government in order to get something done and he’s a crook.
Go figure.
DOC
Long Island moves in mysterious and crooked ways. Always has and probably always will. From school districts to park rehabilitation or to the wonderful neighborhood restoration
plans where all our tax dollars go at a steady rate. Wang offers something that will put money back into the community and we are worried about traffic? What is this Michigan. We are Long Islanders, we eat breath and sleep traffic. The environment? What the f@ck kind of impact is this going to have on the environment? This is nothing more than political rehtoric and anyone who even thinks and wastes their time time with these “problems” is a MORON! This is almost as funny as the windmill generators off the beach. We are more interested in the lives of sand fleas then ourselves.
I think some of these Rangers fans crapping on the Lighthouse project should go back to doing what they do best. It involves canines and fornication…
What I find sad is that something on this scale is in the hands of a politician like Kate Murray. TAKE A STAND KATE! MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN FOR YOUR COMMUNITY! Do you not realize the size and importance of this development? A decrepit arena and worthless parking lot are to be turned into something truly special. something that actually generates revenue!!!!!! What is the most we can get out of you, an offer for Charles Wang to start the renovation of the NVMC? Are you kidding me? It is truly sad that a project like this is in the hands of a “Town Supervisor”. Time to step up Kate Murray.
Bring in Trump, he will get it done!
Woworwork with
I do not live on Long Island so I can’t speak as to what effect the Lighthouse will have on the surrounding area, so I can’t comment on that. I can comment on Wang’s desire and some of the foolish statements being made in some of the threads. Ask yourself a question….what motivates Charles Wang? Money? I’m not sure thats the sole motive in this project. He already is a multi billionaire….so by doing this he will become a……hmmm…mulit billionaire. Get my point. Money may not be his sole motive. Leaving a legacy, making life better for others, making an Islander game and unforgetable experience. Keep in mind, this guy donates huge amounts of money to charities…DONATES. Give Wang some credit and stop trying to find ways to dislike this guy.
Crack dealers, hookers, and drunk teenagers, eh? Well, wait till we move in to the lighthouse low income houses & we will sell you hockey-lovin’white boys all the drugs you all need. While you are high inside the arena, we be robbin; yo Beemers of you GPS’ & howard stern radio boxes!!
Someone is going to develop that parcel of land eventually. It will not stay “as is” for very long. If not Wang/Rechler, then someone else will make a different proposal, perhaps with a refurbished coliseum, perhaps without. It may as well be Wang/Rechler. Would you rather have another strip mall? Several more Starbucks and Ruby Tuesdays? Geez!!
OK, seriously, there has been millions spent on studies for this thing & not one line has been written about the addressing the traffic & congestion this will cause; just adding a few ‘exits’ is the extent of it & exits from parkways bring the cars IN. How do they leave? Hempstead TPK, Merrick Ave are backed up every morning & evening rush hour, especially when there is an accident on ANY Parkway! I just wonder how 20 or so buildings in the Nassau Coliseum parking lot filled with people, offices & shops will impact the surrounding areas on a daily basis & cannot find an answer anywhere, maybe Kate Murray has that on her desk & that is why she won’t give an interview.
Just a few thoughts from a surrounding crack head,street-walking drunken Hofstra student!
One more thing. . . When the Islanders were winning regularly from the mid-70’s through the mid-80’s, if there was a game on a night where Roosevelt Raceway was open, there would be total gridlock on the Meadowbrook from the Northern State until you got to the Coliseum exit. And if you factored in the mall trraffic during the holiday season, it was ridiculous. But as I think someone said above. It’s traffic. We’re Long Islanders and we deal with it. Next issue.
The difference in the last Town Supervisor election was something like 16,000 votes. That means, theoretically, a turnout of 8-10,000 for an event supporting this project (comprised of TOH residents) would send the message. All these politicians really want is to stay in office, and while I think they do realize they can’t let the Coliseum stay the way it is, they’re too concerned about “other issues.” A large show of public support would help, and it’s best to do it when public comments begin sometime between January and March. We need to fight for our team because not enough so-called fans seem to believe that.
Ex-Nassau Resident and the other people crapping on the project..you’re just wrong. Brian in Massapequa had it right - traffic is included in the environmental study and it is a fact of life around here. Either get over it or support a rail link to the site.
I’d also like to echo what Doc had to say. I can’t understand how the Steinbrenners can demolish 2 parks in the Bronx to build their stadium with half a billion in public financing, and that’s OK (I’m a Yankee fan, just pointing this out). Then, Wang wants to develop a completely barren stretch of land in order to avoid putting taxpayers on the hook for the new arena, and suddenly he’s a crook who’s making a land-grab and pulling the wool over all our eyes. Give me a break. Support the project or go home.
I just can’t understand the perspective here. Like Chris TMC, I attended the hearings over the summer. In fact I’ve been to just about every public hearing on the Lighthouse. There are more Islander fans complaining about it than there are citizens on the whole. Shouldn’t that tell us something about our so-called “loyal fanbase,” or is it me?
I posted this on another site about this “project”:
The real problem with this “Lighthouse Project” is that its too complex. It is so ambitious that it needs to clear way too many hurdles to get off the ground. I’ve said this all along, Wang is not interested in building the Isles an arena. He’s interested in building the “Lighthouse”, and a part of that project happens to be a new/renovated arena for the team.
I hope this thing gets off the ground sooner rather than later. But the problem is the “silent politicans”, in particular Kate Murray. Her silence speaks volumes. She obviously doesn’t want this plan to go forward. She is going to continue to stall until her feet are to the iron, at which time, she will block it. Really, what incentive does she have to approve of this project? I think the last thing that the politicans of Nassau and Hempstead care about is the Islanders. I think they could care less about the team, whether it stays, moves or folds. All they care about is getting voted back into office.
If they think that a vote in support of the “Lighthouse” will jeopardize their return to office, they will never vote in favor of it, even if it means losing the Islanders, losing millions of dollars in tax revenue, losing thousands of permanent jobs and having no entertainment hub for Long Island.
The only way the politicans (Kate Murray)are going to vote in favor of this thing is if their constitutents tell them to do so. Unfortuantely, for every one Nassau and Hempstead constituent that loves the Isles, there’s probably 5 who don’t like the Isles or really don’t care about them. If there isn’t enough constituent support for this project, the politicans are going to vote against it, for fear of infuriating a constituency that will vote them out of office.
As fans, we need to be as vocal as possible to local politicans to get them to not only vote in favor of this thing, but to fast-track it (if that’s even possible in local politics). If there are enough voters who favor this project, the politicans will vote for it. If not, its a dead deal.
If Charles Wang is serious about the Isles and building this “Lighthouse”, he needs to explore Suffolk County. Nassau and Hempstead have sat on this project too long. Its time to give another location a serious look.
I can’t imagine other sites have been considered. We all remember Wang very publicly looking at a different site in Suffolk to get the County to move on the project a few years ago. There are a few issues with exploring a different site as of this point, in all seriousness:
- The enforceable lease at the Coliseum
- The requirement (from the County, owners of the land) that any re-development of the site had to include a larger destination point. This would be complex regardless of who won the eventual bid, Nassau chose to go big
- The environmental review that’s going on is mandated by state law. Going to a different site pushes the time horizon back at least another 5 years in order to get things together. With Bettman already making noise about the current project, abandoning it could be a death blow for the team
Jethro, the one thing I would dispute in your very reasoned analysis is that this is just an Islanders issue. About 3/4 of the comments in public were positive, and most of those people couldn’t pick Mike Bossy out of a lineup. As a matter of fact, Bossy gave a speech at one of the hearings and half the room couldn’t figure out why the other half was so excited.
The most positive thing is that there is no organized opposition, and there is a lot of organized support. For example, a group called the Long Island Progressive Coalition was there passing out “YIMBY” stickers for people to wear, and I saw quite a few of them. That is the sort of thing that will get the project passed, the people who support it for the destination, smart growth, and affordable housing components. I see no reason not to continue my optimism, and everything I’ve seen tells me that people are silent because the environmental review has to continue and nothing anybody says will expedite that process. We can work on changing the state law some other time.
I definitely think the project should have been debated and reviewed sooner, but we have a lot of momentum right now.
Wow, quick edit to my typo - I can’t imagine other sites have NOT been considered. Sorry.
Great post Jethro. I would hope that Suffolk would step up to the plate and give Wang some land that he could develop in the event that this project fails. If not, I’m still hoping that Ratner’s Brooklyn project gets built. While it wouldnt be a great alternative, I think it would be their most likely destination considering the cable deal that they have
In response to Nick:
I hope you’re right about the extent of support for this project. I think the project as a whole would be good for Long Island. Its great that lots of people support it, but if the politicans stand in the way, then the project is dead.
The only alternative Nassau, and in particular Hempstead, residents have if they do support the project is to exercise their opinions by voting Kate Murray out of office, along with all the other silent politicans that have thrown nothing but road blocks in this project’s way since it was first pitched. If these dead beats are going to sit on their hands and, from what you’re telling me, not carry out the desires of their constituents, then they need to be removed.
Jethro, that’s why we need to stay on them. The best thing to do right now (and I have this right from the horse’s mouth, so this is not just my recommendation) is to write Kate Murray (you can click the link on my name for her address), sign my online petition, and write your local Nassau legislator.
I’m so involved in this because, as I may have said before, I love this team and don’t want to see it go anywhere but right where it belongs. In addition, I live a well-hit baseball away from the Bellmore Army Base. It’s been closed for 18 years, and 12 years ago we reached an agreement (with heavy local support) to re-develop it. Right now, I get to look at a vacant 17 acre lot every day. I know what the Town of Hempstead will do if you don’t haunt them, namely, nothing.
When the public comments start, then we can show our numbers loudly and publicly.
Nick, what is the timeline for when the environmental/traffic studies are completed? How does that fit in with the public comments time frame?
By the way my fellow Isles fans. That Courtesy Hotel deal got the ok in a matter of months not YEARS!
The racketeering that goes on in Long Island just has to stop. Enough with all the payoffs already!!
You have 2 LI based companies that want to reinvested in LI and the TOH is pushing them away. Companies are leaving in droves because of all the “payoffs”.
When do these so called officials open their eyes and realize that LI NEEDS this?
Their worried about traffic…Please!
News Flash… traffic is everywhere on this Island. We really can’t avoid it these days.
This has to get done just for economic reasons. You would think these “officials” would see this? Kate Murry is a joke, Suozzi is a even bigger joke and the TOH is absolutely pathetic!
Just remember this people when they run for re-election.
Jezzz, I really hate these people!!!
Willis - the comments will occur sometime in the next 2-4 months, and the environmental review is ongoing since June. Hope that helps.
Thanks Nick, I was just wondering if the study would be complete in time for the public comments. Basically if there is a set date the study findings HAVE to be in by. Wouldn’t make a lot of sense to have the public comments when the study is still going on because there would be no answers to many of the questions.
Doc…..just read your post now.
Why wasn’t Wang brought up on charges? Ya got me. Maybe, just maybe, our justice system is kind to some billionaires? His political buddies helped? He WAS CEO and is totally hands on in every aspect of his business, so did he just not know for years his company misstated earnings and used an illegal means to reporting revenues?
Well, he’s our owner so I guess you’ll spare him any wrongdoing for a new arena. Must be me, not the reality because the reality is bad.
And now you bash Trump and foreign investors who PAID LEGALLY but want to laud Wang for wanting the NVMC parcel deeded to him because he’ll pay for an arena makeover so he can build condos and mallspace?
Please…..Just say nothing on earth will make you question anything Islander. Wang is a crook. Do your research and ask questions. Ask Oyster Bay residents. Ask Computer Associates shareholders whose retirement plans went in the toilet. Ask Al D’Amato why SMG hasn’t been bought out yet.