“I CONTINUE TO KEEP MY OPTIONS OPEN”
For the first time, Wang does not dismiss relocation
For the first time since buying the team in April of 2000, Charles Wang publicly declares that he has to keep his options open on where the Islanders will play. In this article from Newsday, he also says the Islanders belong on Long Island and “We can talk and talk, but we’ve got to get off our butts. Let’s get this done.” And if that weren’t enough, the owner mentions a clause that gets him out of the lease if there’s too much sitting on butts.
Comment on the article and the Lighthouse here. Talk hockey in following threads.
89 Responses to ““I CONTINUE TO KEEP MY OPTIONS OPEN”
For the first time, Wang does not dismiss relocation”
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Not good…
I thought they were making progress? Why reveal this now?
Wang is a brutal businessman. Perhaps he sees some minor momentum and wants to capitalize on it to seal the deal…I hope his strategy pays off.
This is a power play. It’s Wang saying “I’m not happy with the environmental survey being accepted. We want something more.”
It’s a little reminder to the TOH what happens if they drag their feet again.
He’s not saying, “we’re SOL, boys,” he’s saying “we’re close, this can push it along.”
…I hope.
Either all this positive stuff is garbage or this is Wangs way of saying “you’ve gotten this far, get the ball rolling, now”.
I bought a new Isles hoodie at the team store tonight, keeping my team on LI one sweatshirt at a time haha.
genius i love it. Just when progress starts to be made slowly…give it a kick in the ass to really get the ball rolling. Genius genius genius. This guy didnt make hundreds of millions from being an idiot.
Go Charles!!!
We don’t want the TOH dragging their feet, do we?
What do we have as Isles fans but to believe in the best in what Wang is saying? Based on what CB’s been saying about his interactions with Wang, I have to believe that he truly wants to keep the Isles on Long Island. I also believe that taking significant losses year after year since 2000 has to wear on him, and this is his breaking point. This has to get done. Islander Fans UNITE!
LOL Wang called the Coliseum a dump! Sad but true. I like the line about getting off our butts. Get it approved TOH!
Lots of stories about the ‘Yotes not paying their rent in Glendale since the season started.
Yotes, Nashville or one of the Florida teams will be playing in KC in the not too distant future.
The posturing by Wang about the lease is silly. All the Exec has to do is not submit the lease. Then what? Big bluff.
The more important story was the one about Wang possibly having trouble raising the money for the project.
And the stimulus money is NOT going into the Lighthouse Project. That’s a dream. The Nassau budget is already in shortfall. Any money that comes to Nassau is going to make that up.
In reality, something will get done. I’m not sure that Wang will get everything he wants or that he will be able to pay for it. But something will get done eventually…..SW
Wang is right. One can only lose so much money. Without him, I really believe this team would have moved already. Go, Charles!
Charlie is taking control! He has the upper hand now and is reminding the TOH that they need to continue the momentum! Crack the whip Mr Wang! As stated earlier he is a genius when it comes to biz! If he only knew how to run a hockey team!
Charles Wang has gone above and beyond for this team…If this team moves, it is because his hand was forced, not for a lack of effort on his part.
all part of the game, a little reminder to the toh to keep this on the right track.
agree with guerin, this will probaly get uglier and scarier but they will get it done.
I love it. Wang is doing anything in his power to get this deal done. He recognizes that he has an opening and trying to bash right through it. Loved how he didn’t play coy with the KC thing. As a good friend of mine said to me earlier tonight, we could be looking at breaking ground in the next year with Tavares/Hedman on the roster. Boy, would things be looking up then.
Definately agree I like the statement by Wang just building more momentum….Get busy building, or get busy selling
MSA (1), Justin Izzo (2), please read the Newsday article CB linked to. I dont see how what was said by CW and by the county spokesman seems bad.
Posture from Wang thats all
Sir William (10):
It wouldn’t surprise me if the nuclear option for Suozzi and Wang is to submit the lease, forcing the Town of Hempstead to come up with a yes/no within 120 days. 2009 is a critical year for Suozzi, who faces reelection and seems desperate for the Lighthouse to be a feather in his cap in November. Suozzi’s not known as a cautious guy–read some of the articles from his gubernatorial run in ‘06–and he might just be reckless enough to propose a lease without zoning board approval.
Can Chris or someone explain the quote below? If the county exec offers a lease, isn’t the deal just about certain to be done? And the legislature approval a formality (timeframe notwithstanding).
What I’m trying to say is based on the lease, Wang can’t relocate until 2015 unless the county exec offers a lease. But if that happens then the Lighthouse is pretty much certain. Sounds like Wang blowing smoke.
“Once the county executive submits a lease for the 150 acres of county-owned property, the legislature has 120 days to approve it. If it doesn’t, the team can leave.”
SAD BUT ITS THE TRUTH…GET IT GOING OR GET US OUT
A political chess game. One more at a time. Good to have Wang finally speak out.
I love where he says the Kansas City game isn’t subtle. What a deft touch!
I don’t usually agree with Sir William, but I am also now somewhat concerned about the funding. We all know these are tough economic times, but my assumption was that CW knew where he was going to get the money all along. Hopefully, just a small hurdle compared to the TOH show, but definitely worrisome.
One thing that seems to concern me is Wang will still require to attract investors, not certain in this economic climate that big banks are going to invest in this venture. CB do you believe this is an additional hurdle for Wang? If so how long does he wait to get the proper investors? I think fans were under the assumption that this was going to be financed all by Wang and Reichler.
Now I’m confused. The county cant submit a lease until the TOH approves the project right? Isnt that the whole reason for this delay? And I thought that the county was all for this project? The article keeps referring to the county, but isnt the TOH stalling this thing?
New boy in the neighborhood
Lives downstairs and it is understood.
He’s there just to take good care of me,
Like he’s one of the family.
Charles in Charge
Of our days and our nights
Charles in Charge
Of our wrongs and our rights
And I sing, I want,
I want Charge in Charge of me.
Charles in Charge
Of our days and our nights
Charles in Charge
Of our wrongs and our rights
And I sing, I want,
I want Charge in Charge of me.
Go Wanger!!!
It’s great to hear Wang step up and it kinda seems that things are starting to be put in place, he does make mention about timing and he does have somewhat of a way out, which does concern me, but I honestly feel after hearing what he had to say that he is 100 percent commited to keeping the team here on LI, so lets hope they bust a move, right now is the time we need things like this to happen, on so many levels this project is a good thing.
I love how all of you are cheering on this posturing by this eccentric that very well might move the team! It’s incredible how a couple of people come on here pro-Wang and rant and everyone follows them like lemmings off a cliff. Mob rules on this site.
The KC exhibition game really got the discussion going. Wang is a very savvy businessman.
Hopefully he will keep the pressure on - seems to be getting results so far.
TMC #18 - Of course I read the linked article before commenting.
My read of the linked article is that Wang is tired of the games and has now taken off the gloves.
My point was that if the strategy doesn’t work, he now is on record that he is keeping all options open, as opposed to letting the KC pre-season game/Saskatoon deals speak for themselves. In other words, if they (TOH) keep stalling, the team is now officially going to be ending it’s days here.
“I don’t think it was that subtle” Hilarious.
Vukota’s post will be tough to top.
If people read the entire article Wang also said that the Islanders belong on Long Island.
Not subtle at all, TOH understands exactly where he is coming from.
I really wonder how everyone would feel if the team moved to KC, Toronto, Winnepeg, or Hamilton? How would you feel about Wang then? I’m not arguing that the guy has to make money. I just want my team here that I’ve watched since I’ve been six. That’s it. I don’t care if we have apartment buildings next to the coliseum or an ice skating rink. They can refurbish the coliseum I’d be fine with that as long as the team stays. I just don’t get how everyone cheers Wang on with his threats its really crazy. I know most of you all think they aren’t going to move and thats great. Let me ask you this, how many things has Wang delivered on that he “promised” he would? It is nice to see the eternal optomism on this site but I don’t get it. I really hope you are all right.
The only Bluff here is Charles Wang! He will not cut his nose to spite his face, the Islanders are staying and Wang will Scale down the Project! you will see!!!
MSA (33): that is not what was said. What you are doing is ignoring all the quotes of how he has “no plans to move the Islanders” how the county “doesn’t anticipate” delays and how Charles says “I want this thing to proceed”… then you take an intentionally ambiguous quote of keeping options open, put your own “in other words” onto it, and you proclaim that “if the TOH keeps stalling, the team is now officially going to be ending it’s days here.” That was not in the article, it was said by nobody, but you are saying it is “official”! THAT is why I said to read the article. Read what it says, because it doesnt say what you think it does.
Matt #37 - I started the comments by saying that this was not good. Maybe we need Wang to lay down the gauntlet to ever get this going, but I certainly do not underestimate Wang. If he says he is keeping his options open, you can bet that he is….and you can also bet that the folks in KC that are watching this thing are faxing him offers as we speak.
I believe Wang would love to keep them here, but how long is he going to lose money and get jerked around? The whole country is talking about economic stimulus. Usually the franchise owners beg for public money (see our MLB teams).
Here is a guy willing to do the deal with his own cash/financing and provide jobs and growth to Long Island, and all he does is get jerked around for years while losing money. I think we need to get Schumer and Gillibrand on board. Our Senators always talk like they care about LI; I would like to see it in action.
I read that article last night and I thought it was the 2nd deliberate hatchet job that Newsday reporter did in a day. Her first was deliberately interviewing the only 3 people who showed up to the hearing in Islanders gear to push the stereotype.
This isn’t about lemmings going off a cliff - we’ve got to make this work in some way or another and the team can’t stay here. Why is everyone so shocked that he finally said that?
TMC #40 - I will be my 4th post, so I am done. You are entitled to your opinion, but so am I. I am reading his comments and not taking anything as official. His comment that “KC was not that subtle” makes my point. He wants to keep them here, but is sick of the BS, and that is my humble opinion of the article. Because you read it differently, does not make you right - sorry.
MSA (33): I agree with you that they want the games to end… Im just pointing out that there is no official doomed-to-move statement there. Thats all.
ChrisTMC Wang says he has no plans to move the Islanders. That in itself is an ambiguous comment. Just read the Title of the article that says it all. I know this is posturing but I’d rather not see it I’ve been through enough with this team thank you very much Mr. Wang. I hope this gets passed and Charles is happy and I get to continue watching hockey even though his brand has been pretty disgusting(hopefully that will change). I am all for the lighthouse don’t misunderstand me, I am all for anything that keeps this team here. If he wants to put a carrot farm next to the coliseum and a Dairy Queen sign me up if its going to keep them here.
Matt - I understand your sentiment completely. However, the headline is a deliberately misleading addition to the piece. Having no plans to move the team is the same as being committed to making the current plan work. However, you have other towns willing to jump through hoops and Bettman braying that there’s no way he gives Wang permission to sign a new lease here without a new building, and what was said becomes pretty obvious. That Newsday reporter was pushing an agenda yesterday, so maybe I’m a bit harder on her than I should be, but this doesn’t look like a single thing we didn’t already know.
Last post already hit my limit. You are right Nick It is everything we already knew. I’m just sick of the threats. It would be a bad day on LI if this team moved. Most of all it would be a horrible day for Hempstead if they did.
I say good for Charles. He and his development team are doing everything they can. Its about time he demanded Hempstead to step up to the plate.
I agree with Matt #37 Wang has not delivered on 1 promise to us the fans of the NYI. You will never figure out what this guys motives are. I find it really intresting that I was told by the Islander reps at customer service that Wang had all of the funding for the project. Now it comes out that the funding has not been secured. That could turn out to be the biggest hurdle of all of them!
Matt - I’m going to take leave of this thread after this post, but you’re 100% right. Many speakers kept coming back to the same theme during the hearing yesterday: If we don’t make this work now, when we have seemingly all factors working in our favor, we’ll just be back here in the same place in 10 years wondering why we didn’t take a stand and make it work, and still trying to figure out what to do with that property.
OK - guess I’m not taking leave, now I will that I’ve hit my 4.
Aim and others - first of all, we’re talking about pieces of financing per year. Second of all, do you really think there would be this sense of urgency if Wang and Rechler hadn’t talked to banks and had a reasonable expectation that they’d be able to get the funding? I’m one of the people who thinks we’ll see ground-breaking next year because the remaining process is complicated, so I’m not as worried about this.
Also I had mentioned in an earlier thread CW has slashed staff from all of the departments including hockey ops. It was told to me at a junior game up in Canada. I was told that there were MANY layoffs at the NYI and Wang was going to a bare bones budget to operate the team. CB anything on that??? We now have the lowest payroll allowed (at the cap floor) now he is dumping staff still wondering what ever happened to that team we can all be proud of
Matt, if the Lighthouse won’t be built, Wang SHOULD sell or move this Team off LI. I personally would have little issue with the move. It would give me the final signal that this area cannot support (and does not deserve) a major sports franchise. It already failed with the NBA.
People typically buy businesses to make money. Wang’s payout for putting up with years of significant losses and an onerous SMG lease is the development of the surrounding area. If it can’t get done, he would be remiss if he didn’t consider selling or moving. Nevertheless, it would still be clear to me that Wang is loyal to the area and wants to keep the Team here.
Watch games in Montreal, NY, Toronto. Better still, in “challenged” franchises like Atlanta and Columbus. Going to games is an event, a night out. It’s not only about watching hockey.
Some of us at PB go to games just for the Team and the play on the ice. We would still go to games, even if they played at a tiny, unheated Commack Arena. But we are only a small part of the overall fan base. For most others, it is about a family outing, a night out, entertaining corporate clients, a once-a-year event.
Today, a major NHL franchise cannot survive without sponsorship, advertisers, seat-buying corporate customers, non-hockey families. The NHL is approximately the 6th most popular sport in the US (next to the NFL, MLB, NBA, college FB, college BB). A refurbished arena without the developing the surrounding area makes little sense. There are no restaurants, bars, stores within easy walking distance to the area. Just a concrete wasteland surrounded by office buildings.
If the complex won’t be built, move the Team (Queens is not a real option). My vote is somewhere in Canada.
What smart businessman would not put pressure on at this point. He wants to get this done, he wants to keep this team here in the worst way. But how long can he lose money and wait for this to get done. If the TOH dosen’t wake up and get this done and most importantly create jobs at a time when there aren’t any, they all should be thrown out of office on there butts.
Listen to Nick Classic. He knows more about this than probably anyone besides Wang at this point.
Everyone wants this to just get done but in reality it takes a long time for any project of this size to get going.
Out in Riverhead they want to build and indoor ski center,equestrian center and basically an indoor resort that would create 20,000 permanent jobs and increase town tax revenue and no one is getting anywhere because the Town refuses to fight the DEC about Salamanders.
It’s not just the Lighthouse that is taking a while.
At this point Wang, et al need to turn things up…simply amazing that it has taken this long and that there are so many that appear to be against the project. Are they against it JUST to be against something? The friction surrounding the project is as if the surrounding area was some sort of pristine, virgin forest…National Treasure or something. Unreal!
As far as the Isles actually moving…hmmmmm….
There are a couple of other teams ahead of the Isles that will be the first to relocate, IMO. Bettman grew up an Islander fan also.
I think it is sad we have all been brought into the commercial real estate battle between Wang and the county. The lighthouse project is idoitic, over ambitious and has nothing to do with hockey! I dont want to meet anyone at the lighthouse, I want to meet them at a nice hockey arena. We are being held hostage by Wang and his over ambitious plan that will never happen in this economy. (capital raising anyone) Wang has delivered nothing for us. The team has been horrible since he got here. The county has APPROVED a new coliseum. Lets start with that. We are a hockey team, not a hotel or rehab or restaurant. This idea we have been sold that the islanders are not feasable without the lighthouse is a joke we have all bought into. Look at every other team in the league. New arenas, no lighthouses. Please someone explain to me why Long Island is worse than god forsaken places like Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Detroit. All places that dont need gimichy lighthouse projects to have a new arena. Wang you are losing money because most fans will not pay to see a team who in the basement every year in a crappy barn. Please come back to earth Wang.
Nick
as you know one of my fears with this project is Wang himself. We could see a lighthouse that has turned into a shipwreck just like his hockey team. I can really see this thing getting thru the process and have it turn into a diaster of total mismanagement. imagine that. Regardless of how many years the project takes I’m leary about who is going to fund all of it. Also Nick I know you are following this closley who is paying for the new roads trolly lanes bridges over the turnpike sewage systems that were mentioned in the paper today??
You can’t see it, but I’m giving Charles a standing ovation. Thank you Charles. You have a brain AND you have pride.
Now begin to negotiate with Queens for a new arena. Keep The Lighthouse going of course. But instead of the Isles being the #1 tenant in the Coli, you can EASILY reconfigure & remodel the new Coli into a state-of-the-art convention center or multi-event for NBA. Who knows Charles, you always wanted an NBA team. In 8-10 years you may be making billions on The Lighthouse, millions on an NBA team in the Coli, along with other events AND making some real nice coin off the Isles with the sweetheart tax deal NYC will give you, PLUS; ANOTHER new arena. Charles, TWO state of the art venues for the price of one? It’s yours for the taking. Give a call to the powers that be in Queens. Let’s get this show on road baby!
Bravo Charles, bravo. You don’t need Hempstead and the Isles don’t need Hempstead. The Lighthouse NEEDS Hempstead. Free yourself from the lease & the abuse the Isles get from the politicians on LI, come to where you are wanted.
Charles, you are in a GREAT spot. Own the most valuable piece of property in Nassau AND own a Top 10 piece of property in NYC??? Think BIG Charles.
I’m sorry CB but I have to post one more time. Swan how can you possibly say as a fan, “I hope they move the team if the lighthouse doesn’t get passed”? I could care less about Wang and his plan. Great if it happens but if it doesn’t I don’t want them to move!!! Wow, that is out there. Hopefully to Canada if any where! Aggrevation with the TOH and the fact that our owner has an extremely ambitious plan would never lead me to think that the team should move to Canada if Wang’s plan doesn’t gat passed!!!!! Wow there is some serious deviation from what I would ever want or hope on this site. Sorry again CB but I had to respond to this!!!!
DPS, the county has APPROVED the entire project FYI.
DPS, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Detroit are located in major cities. With easy access to stores, restaurants, bars, homes. They already are in the middle of their own “lighthouse” complexes. And having caught games in Pitt and Detroit, those are far, far better places to watch a game than at NVMC.
Without a destination to come to, this Franchise will never be fiscally successful. During good teams, all fans will come out. During bad teams, only hockey fans will come. There are not enough hockey fans on LI. Not ones that will pay $5000 or more for tickets regardless of team quality, anyway.
Sports today is always more about just the game. It’s about merchandise, sponsors, corporate clients, etc. Franchises need them to survive. That is especially true for a less popular sport like NHL hockey. And doubly true for a non-hockey locale like Long Island.
The Islanders current location never made sense as it is currently structured. My first choice, if I could wish it into fruition, would be Queens. Mass transit, far more corporate $, and next to City (not Citi) Field. Living in Queens and working in Manhattan, I have seen as many Isles games at MSG this season as I have at NVMC.
I’m at about 50% certain that this team will remain at the Coliseum, 40% outside of NY and 10% Queens.
I think some are getting to worked up, Wang stepped up and spoke his side, clearly he wants the team to remain here on LI, it’s a huge a project and yes it’s been what? 9 years now? I can’t say I blame the guy from a business stand point, from a fans point? of course it’ll be upsetting if my team is forced to move because of this situation, but I honestly don’t see that happening, not after what I read or the way I took the article.
I agree with Paul’s post, I think it’ll be scaled down a bit and ground will break soon. Wang had to show some hardball sometimes it’s the only way to get through on these matters, the town has to see the good of this project, true Wang could just build or remodel the arena but the man is trying to bring more to the table, to make money? you have to spend money, he’s in a position to do such a thing, bring jobs, housing, more attractions to the arena which means more money as well, not many today are in such a place to something like this, the town knows it, they had concerns for the area, with traffic, polution, water, tax payers want to know these things, and it’s the towns job to provide them with answers.
It’s goin to happen! and two seasons from now we’ll have a better team, a new arena and Go Isles Go~~
To echo Swan, who wants to drive to a barren wasteland and then after the game having nothing to do but drive back home?
I was nervous when the KC game was announced. I am not anymore. If the Lighthouse does not get approved I will be very, very surprised.
CW is taking the reins now. They’ll be digging by July.
bcarey, I agree. Not sure about July, about I agree it gets done.
Ugh, just one more thing to worry about. All I wanna do is watch an “interesting hockey game” for 3 hours and escape from the crapola that is everyday life! Somebody get the Lighthouse done already.
Gee, I hope that they can get financing for this massive project. It would suck if the large banks had no money to lend at the time that Charles & Co. need a $1billion dollar loan.
I agree With #37, Wang is making this an Islander issue when it is much bigger then that! And Wang never made any promise’s for the Islanders, again we all assume Wang has good intentions for the Islanders, however did he publicly say how it will benifit the Islanders? He did say how it will create jobs and Tax revenue, anything directly about the Islanders in his words?
It sounds like that elaborate dance that occurs in big money project has begun. I think this deal will get done to some extent, it may take longer then expected to finish, but it will get done.
But once again, why would the NHL move to KC when there are plenty of similar sized Canadian cities that would actually support the team?
I don’t see why Islanders fans are happy their owner is making subtle threats to move the team. Yeah, I get the reasoning, but I don’t think it’s something we should all be applauding. If the Lighthouse doesn’t get done, and this team is moved to KC while Queens and Brooklyn have both expressed interest, that would be a crime.
Good move by Wang. I am more sure now, that if the Lighthouse is not started by the end of 09 (I think summer is too soon, and not really possible), then the Isles will probably move to Queens or Brooklyn where they are wanted in the next few years (depending on which offers Wang a better deal).
I doubt (hope) that KC is not really an alternative but just a bluff.
This is the article that should be linked and read….This is what scares me.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-liligh2512487858feb25,0,3375723.story
The scope project was 1,800 pages not 6,000 so I don’t take anything in that article seriously Bossy.
It’s all about money !!!! Wang has lost alot of money in the last 8 years and if TOH doesn’t start to make progress soon, he’ll look at other options. It’s the old saying “Money talks, bullshit walks”. Great move Wang !!! TOH deserves the pressure CW and others are putting on them.
HA, I like it. Go Charles!
Full disclosure: I don’t live on Long Island. But when I go to Islander games, (just about the only reason I go to L.I. these days) it’s such a bummer that my buddy and I have to LITERALLY risk our lives to cross several lanes of traffic to get food at the deli for a pre-game meal, etc. Yeah I know, I could go in the Marriot for soggy french-fries…which I do(Except on big name nights when the place is too full and you have to wait to get in). Obviously the Coliseum needs an upgrade but the surrounding area is not conducive to attracting anyone else but the *die-hards*. Uniondale is NOT Boston, NYC, Chicago, etc. which is EXACTLY the reason why besides a Coliseum uprade you ALSO need a Lighthouse type development! Period.
#73 It’s all about the money issues that made me nervous while reading that article. The 1,800 page report your talking about is the Enviornmental study which was submitted yesterday. The 6,000 page report that the article is referencing outlines the entire project.
Good for Wang. He has played nice for a loong time and I think he wants to make sure the Town knows he is serious. Also I think it was important so that perception wasnt that the town approved the scope and the ball was back in the isles court but that the report is submitted and it is back to the town.
I need to strongly disagree with DPS. Calling the lighthouse a joke and saying Wang has tricked us is pattently ridiculous. You reference places like Columbus and Pitt. The difference is that those arenas like many many others are downtown. in Colubus for example an entire shopping and dining district has grown around their arena. What does NVMC have? Papa John’s across the street. Wang has lost staggering sums of money since buying the team. I have no problem with him making the money back. To suggest that a refurbished coliseum could be done without the lighthouse is silly. It is unlikely that a building renovation on its own will drastically increase gate receipts and it is even more unlikely that the increase receipts offset the cost of renovation. The entire package: arena, housing, office space works in a synergistic way, otherwise the coliseum will remain sitting in the middle of an asphalt desert. Furthermore, how could you not prefer going to a game in a nice area like the lighthouse sketches show where you can get food or go to a bar than the desolate hole where we currently play? If you think that just doing the coliseum makes any sense from an economic perspective think again. That is just some farce Kate Murray has fed you to make it look like she is being cooperative.
QUESTION FOR CB OR NICK CLASSIC
How long typically would it take a municipality to review and approve a document like this review?
and DPS the lighhouse has everything to do with hockey as in if it doesn’t get done there will no longer be any hockey on LI
Isles are gone. See ya. Hello KC, or Winnipeg, or some other Canadian province. Or maybe Las Vegas.
I actually like Charles tone in this. It shows me that he is still financially sound enough to make this happen.
OhNo - you can click my name and get my full take on that whenever (I know I’m over but I was directly addressed). The review period is 30-60 days, but they are also trying to do things concurrently to speed it along. Public comments haven’t been scheduled yet, but I’d say March or April they will have them. The TOH also committed to having hearings at night in addition to in the morning.
OhNoItsComeau57 (78):
This website http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6189.html has a lot of good information about the SEQR process. The specific timeline: The lead agency (the ToH) has 45 days after receipt of the draft environmental impact statement to declare whether it’s acceptable for public review. That triggers a 30 day public comment period. There is a non-mandatory public hearing that may be held; this needs to happen sooner than 60 days after the completion of the draft EIS. The final EIS must be prepared within 45 days of the final public hearing or within 60 days of the filing of the draft EIS, whichever comes last. Finally, the Town needs to submit a their findings within 30 days of filing the final EIS.
Altogether, the maximum time under the law it can take is: 60 days (until a public hearing) + 45 days (to file the final EIS) + 30 days (for the Town to give its deadnuts yes or no). So, we’re looking at five and a half months, if the Town drags its feet.
Keep in mind that the DEC timeline lists the scoping at 60 days, where the Town took something like five months (if I remember right, the draft scoping was submitted back in September).
Hey Mick (28), if Wang is Charles, is Scott Rechler Buddy Lembeck?
I think Charles has to do what he’s doing. He’s got to keep pressure on the TOH and Nassau County. If he doesn’t, this project will continue to stall. And he has every right to want a decision expeditiously. He and the other developers have a lot at stake with this project, and they’re already millions deep in the project before a shovel has even gone into the ground.
The best thing going for the Project right now is the state of the economy. People are losing their jobs and this project guarantees 19,000 permanent jobs, as well as thousands more during the construction phase. Plus, the Project will provide the TOH and Nassau County with tons of new tax revenue.
I think the people of the TOH are going to get behind this project and once they make that support verbal, the politicans will approve it as soon as possile, so long as the environmental study doesn’t contain any drastic problems.
Yes, #72. I am not sure what part of this some of you do not understand but the lighthouse project will never be built. The lending will never be secured in this enviornment. Most likly Wang will use this as an excuse to move the team. So for those of us who want our islanders to stay in Nassau we need to think of something else. The lighthouse is a pipe dream and an excuse for bad hockey on the island. Mark my words it will never get done.
DPS, I really didn’t want to respond to you, because your arguments are so hopeless, but you’ve said two things here that make no sense.
You imply that Wang wants to move the team. You say he needs an excuse to move the team, and the failure to get financing will be the reason.
Why would he go through all of what he’s going through, paying millions of dollars for studies, for a staff, for public relations, etc. if he’s going to move the team? He’d do that just to have an excuse?
If the financing falls apart or the town blocks the Lighthouse, these won’t be excuses for moving. They will be the REASON for moving.
As far as thinking of something else: there is no something else. This is it. Get used to it. The model you are proposing — well, actually, you really aren’t proposing anything now, are you? — doesn’t work, if I assume your model to be the stand-alone arena surrounded by a parking lot. I’ve said before that I think the only place where that works has been the Palace at Auburn Hills. I really can’t think of one other one.
Also: the team has not been horrible since he got here. They finished fifth in the east in ‘01-’02, made the playoffs the next two years, made the playoffs the second year post-lockout. It’s not a great record, but it certainly undercuts the idea that they have been horrible the entire team he’s been here.
(Note to self: Why am I wasting my time arguing with these people?)
#85 DPS. You summed my sentiments pretty succinctly. IMHO, Isle fans in general AND Long Islanders specially can have what they both want– Wang takes Queens’ offer & moves the Isles there, he then continues his work on The Lighthouse project. The HUB will do just fine w/a convention center/concert hall…maybe an NBA team? But the excuses for bad hockey on LI have run their course. Free the Islanders & free US the fans AND give Nassau a Hub & a state-of-the-art facility. It’ll take 8-10 years, IF it gets done at all. The Isles don’t have that kind of time.
Wang can free himself, free the Islanders and STILL make billions with a LI hub.
Everybody take a deep breath: there is no Queens offer. There is no Brooklyn offer. There are some politicians and civic leaders who have said they might like to have the Islanders play in their area. That’s it. Compare the “status” of those “offers” with what the Lighthouse group (which, btw, is not just Wang, but Rexcorp too) has done so far.
Talking about Queens and Brooklyn as if they were true options is nothing short of ridiculous.
Jethro- Love the buddy Lembeck reference!!!