IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT…
Tough talk in that Lighthouse Project report
6:40 pm - Newsday on the Lighthouse Project. If you don’t build it…”The New York Islanders will leave this venue,” it says in that 6,000-page report from the developers.
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Tough talk in that Lighthouse Project report”
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Can’t fault him one bit, the Islanders continue to play in an arena that was outdated probably as far back as 1990. Godforbid, if the Islanders and TOH do not agree and the deal falls through lets hope that for the sake of the franchise that they find their way to Queens.
I am just hoping it all works out.
I think all my emotions invested in this team have left me today. It would be nice to just have some great news for once. The most excited I was this season is when we traded Comrie and Campoli and got a 1st rounder.
Why can’t us Isles fans have something truly great to get excited about?
nothing we didn’t already know. he’s trying to keep everybody on their toes. i used to be guerin13 but since he’s gone i have changed screenames.
CB - Thanks for making a disappointing day worse. Just kidding, not your fault.
Brian (#5)–Just thinking the same thing….although just too drained to care right now…
Well can’t say I blame the guy. I have issues with him on various topics but he’s been patient and waited long enough. Give him what he wants or they’ll leave. I am sure the fiscal implications to NC would be grave if he were to leave, think of the tax streams NC will lose…whom do you think will have to make up for it? THE TAXPAYERS. So for once NC, do the right thing and get some positive vibes happening - give the man his deal and let us get on with the business of hockey again.
This is pretty much obvious. This arena, as soon as the Penguins move into their new building, will be the oldest one in the league. It’s inadequate for profitability in today’s age. Shame on the TOH if they don’t approve of it. It’ll also be Kate Murray’s legacy if this occurs.
I guess it’s official, time to get some support of the New York Media and I am not talking about just TV55, News12 and Newsday. We need the New York Times, NBC and ESPN to support this in some way. Media pressure will go a long way in expanding the support for the Lighthouse. What can we do PR and Internet Blog Jedi?
::cue drama music::
I am officially tired of sitting in front of the computer today.
I think what’s really frustrating is ToH’s inability or lack of desire to fast track this project. Kate Murray would assure her next 2 elections by getting this pushed through…shame on her if she forces Wang’s hands.
CB, please claify something. If it is not approved, the out clause Wang worked out with the county on the lease terminates that lease immediatley or perhaps within a 120 day window the Isles can terminate the remainder of the lease and be free to move anywhere at any time? Is that correct because based on the language I have seen that is exactly what it appears and based on timeline The Isles could relocate to any other city either by next season or at latest the following because the remainder of the lease goes bye bye.
The Lighthouse project clearly has a (Ranger-owned) Newsday problem. As if harping on an non-enforcable lease is not enough…did they just basically write it’s ok if the Isles leave because there’s still pro sports on Long Island in the single-A independant Ducks?!? That’s crazy! How could they write that if the editorial page has already endorsed the project!?!
CB - Do you really think that June/July is the drop date? I know Murray is up for re-election in November. Do you think Wang will wait and see how the public votes?
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again (first time here though.) The Town of Hempstead has no business being given such a hugh say in how Nassau County develops its land that it owns. We’re not talking about a 50 lot residential subdivision of cookie cutter houses. We’re talking about the re-development of Nassau’s hub. The single most important piece of Nassau real estate out there. Considering the profession I’m in and the experience I have dealing with all the towns on Long Island in both counties, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Town government on Long Island is a joke. They do more harm than good 80% of the time. They may work hard but so do washing machines. Every dope you went to High School with who failed gym class usually ends up working for the Town. Eventually they stick around long enough to be in a position of authority. The few who actually care about the people of the town are overshadowed by the dozens of other bad apples ruining the entire barrel. Hempstead specifically stinks on ice. I’ve seen them work and the only thing they work hard at is hardly working at all.
wow, that got deleted….wow
meant no harm cb, this site is my lifeblood!!!!
peace~
Mike (11): Regarding fast tracking, you need to read up on it. This HAS been fast tracked, and got through the previos step in record time. Its true. If you check out the lettherebelighthouse.blogspot website I think it will clear some things up for you.
My question is this…………..
Why can’t Wang talk with Suffolk County to build an arena at the old Pilgrim State Hospital?
@Jimmy Sparkx
Because this is more than a new building. This is about land to build hotels, condos and malls.
#18, b/c the old pilgim hospital does not have 100 acres of land to develop.
Sometimes I think the Islanders moving would just be like putting me out of my misery.
I agree with 18.. What Wang and Rechler need is leverage. Find another LI location. I am sure Levy would love to help them search in Suffolk!
18. I’ll answer your question, because Wang won’t make his real estate dream come true, thats why. It is not about the team it is about real estate, thats it. There you go. I’m sure all the Wangers will come on here and tell you different but if that wasn’t the case then Brooklyn, Queens, and Suffolk would all be an option.
Whatever. At this point, the sooner I get off Long Island and away from all this tax-me-more, pay-me-less BS the better. Maybe the Islanders will be better off somewhere else where they can make millions of dollars per year and have a piece of the revenue-sharing pie too.
I love the last quote: “major professional sports franchise.”
I don’t think an independent minor league baseball team qualifies as major professional. Skillful writing to be appreciated!
After trading their Captain for a 5th round pick, it looks like 1 foot is out the door.
CB, I am wondering if you would put a link for the “Let there be light(house)” site in your “Links” section.
#26 Maybe Its For The Best…These Clowns Dont Know How To Run Things
How is this new News? What exactly has happened since the meeting last week? That article gives no new news to anyone. IT could have been written last week, no?
There is a ton of land here at the old Calverton Grumman site…and would be alot closer for me
- Regardless there has to be somewhere else for a new home.
Time to get Kate Murray to show her cards once and for all. She is up for election - and Wang is smart - lets make her show the cards.
Pat
Ahhhhhhhh Grumman. Haven’t heard that name in a while. Just another in a long line of businesses that brought tons of jobs to the Island and because of ridiculous taxes and crooked politicians they split town like the rest of them. Every business that leaves costs the taxpayers more money. Keep it up Long Island, soon your residents will be following big business right out the door. I will miss OUR NYI.
Its obvious that most of you do not realize how much has already gotten DONE. If the Islanders WERE to build an arena somewhere else in NY, it would take years to start all over from step one again. Theres more to it. The real information is out there, its even been consolidated explained clearly and put on the unbiased lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com website, you just need to go there and read all of it. If you dont understand something there, ask Nick (the guy who runs it.) He knows what he is talking about. Do it. If you dont agree with something there, say so. But for goodness sake, dont just stay uninformed. This teams needs informed fans so that they are not pulled in ten different directions by well-meaning yet clearly uninformed fans. Please check it out!
I thought you Americans were looking for ’shovel ready’ projects to create some jobs? And this one doesn’t need public money, just some public approvals.
I don’t get it. This so seems like a no brainer to me…
do i have to say this again?
Yes it is all about the real estate to wang and rightfully so. It is the rest of the project that is going to help fund the NY ISLANDERS. Not the crappy lease they are in.
You should pray to god that they approve this, and you should say thank you lord for wangs ability to make this happen.
I’m in my late 40s and have seen LI go through some dramatic changes in my time here. Now that Manorville and all points east have been developed there is no more land for the single family LI dream. It’s time to look at the reality of LI 10-15 years from now, and begin to take steps to transform to LI 2.0. Wang’s proposal to develop the Lighthouse is one of the only visionary things I’ve ever seen from a businessman or politician to address this. I realize that his primary motivations are money and ego, but in the end his goal actually helps all of us. However as Refhater99 @ 15 points out, the lunatics are running the asylum and the likelihood of anyone at the town level being able to take up a cause this intricate is remote.
@ JKP post 34 You have to understand something this is the BIGGEST project EVER on Long Island. Nothing comes close to except the Roosevelt Mall which by the way is right next door. That could also have something to do with it. People who are highly invested in the malls success do not want this complex built for the sake of their own investments value depleting. Their are a lot of things in that also have to be considered such as environmental costs and costs to the county itself. I for one do believe it is actually proceeding as planned despite what people from Newsday say. Just remember Islander fans this is the single BIGGEST thing on Long Island to be built so have patience.
Eric - the document referred to was provided to the TOH at the conclusion of the meeting.
Obviously, no reporter had the time to review 6,000 pages of info (btw - mostly charts).
The key here is this is the first time, in written form, the Lighthouse folks have stated in sum and substance that NYI will not be here unless this project does not get done.
Whether the reporter was tipped where to look or not is not an issue. Rather, in plain English it says what the alternative is: no more NYI for you.
I say move them to Suffolk county, build an arena by the Long Island Ducks stadium!
Credit LetsGoIslanders at IslanderMania for this bit of information that will brighten your day: Robin Figren is coming to Bridgeport.
Suffolk isn’t an option, Queens isn’t an option, Brooklyn, Hamilton and Saskatoon are not options. It is the Lighthouse or Kansas City. Kansas City has the arena ready to go and the Islanders last year in a non construction colesium is next year.
Well… okay then. I officially have a headache and now know why Katrina was so busy.
It is incredible how uninformed all of us are. Honestly I am all for Wang building the lighthouse. Whatever keeps them here. Go Wang! I believe most of us know they wouldn’t be able to start fresh in a new area right away Chris. I personally have read Nick’s site and it is commendable what he is doing. Real nice job. Doesn’t change the fact that this team hasn’t been managed, owned, operated in a professional manner for 25 years. Wang has one interest and it clearly is not the team, which is fine. Just don’t come on here talking like the guy is the second coming of Christ because it couldn’t be further from the truth. Me not being a Wang fan in no way means I am uninformed. I know that jobs would be created and bla, bla, bla, bla. I have been watching this team for thirty years like a complete moron. Most of my friends have just stopped watching hockey after the empty promises that Wang has made were not followed through on. Guess they just wanted the pain to end. This guy is going to move the team I have, you have, your father and everyone else have loved since we were kids for real estate. What happened to the never ‘going to move the team” promise Wang? I’m all for Wang, what I mean to say is, I am all for the Islanders.
If Wang doesn’t buy the team, the Islanders don’t even make it this far. They have an unworkable lease. They would have had to fold or move. It is literally impossible for the team to make money. Wang has been hemorrhaging dough just to keep the team afloat.
The guy wants to take advantage of owning a hockey team by potentially making billions on a real estate project? WOE IS ME! WHAT an evil guy! Do we live in a communist country? This is America. The name of the game is profit. This would not be the first time somebody used strong-arm tactics to make it. Be thankful the guy is down to beautify the dump and choke out the Town in a war of attrition to keep the Islanders in Nassau County. Say what you want, but that’s what’s happened, and if the guy packs up and moves the team, it’s because he fought until the end (sure, for his real estate, if that’s who you wanna put it) and the Town was recalcitrant about doing something significant for once.
Maybe if this project gets done, I’ll have an excuse to move back to Long Island, because God knows I don’t have one right now.
if the team moves, i’ll just stop watching hockey all together. a part of me will die and i’ll be a miserable mess if i have to bare seeing this team leave long island. a threat has been made and i’m actually getting nervous.
Matt this team would have been moved a long time ago if it wasn’t for Wang…your right it is all about the real estate because he has lost 20 mil for the past 9 years keeping this team at the coliseum…blame the TOH or Kate Murray, all the have to do is approve the LH and they will stay
Move Wanger move, after today I’m ready to become a Sharks fan full time since I can’t even think about rooting for the KANSAS CITY ???????’s, and this after being an Islanders fan since 76.
Jeez, The Lighthouse has already BEEN approved. AGAIN, read the site. I already mentioned it, why dont some of you want to know what is actually going on?
Its incredible how you all KNOW the team would have moved if Wang didn’t buy the team. Incredible.
I’m done. See how you all feel about Wang after the team moves. Good night.
Matt (43): I just dont see all this “empty promise” stuff that you do. What happened more than a decade ago has nothing to do with now and the only advice I can give anyone is to get over it. And FWIW I do not buy this stuff about Wang knowing nothing about hockey. I know nothing about spear fishing or Cricket, but if I was surrounded by it for a decade you bet Id know plenty. People who say this constantly are saying because they have BEEN saying it.
Im glad you have looked at Nicks site. But if you still think that Wang is not interested in whats best for this team, look at it some more lol. Read the official statement. I have gotten through a big part of it, but I am nowhere near finished. Keep getting educated… lamenting over the past doesnt do anything for anyone, and it sure doesnt help this team.
blitz (38): you claim they said that the NYI will not be here on LI unless this project gets done. But what it ACTUALLY says is that they will leave the VENUE.
This is what gets me frustrated..it has not been about the on ice product in over 10 years. Our net great hope is always tied to a real estate project, the great Cable TV deal, the SMG lease, bank fraud..it has not been about hockey in a real long time
I agree with post #15, as a kid I worked for the TOH, seasonal work, Lots of guys who really never wanted to work or had no ambition, I made up my mind quickly not to go the County or gov’t route when I was 16 or 17 at the time and their was no sense of urgency with these people. We are doomed! Who new the Isles could become the KC Scouts again! ):
#48, the only way we rest easy is if the TOH verbally and in writing gives the green light on the project, until then all bets are off.
CB - I’d be interested to know the final hit total for today. I bet it tops Sunday cause I was havin issues getting on the site around 1 and 2 o’clock today.
I remember when this project was first talked about several years ago(seems more like hundreds of years ago). although i am not a resident of Nassua County, i can see the benifits from this project not only for Nassua County but for Long Island as a whole. There needs to be more done. we need to organize rallies,marches and gain support like they did to get rid of the horrible fisherman logo
This team is in deep doo doo.
#53 said it best.
TMC #33 and Kevin #41 have it exactly right. If the Lighthouse does not move forward, Suffolk/Queens/Brooklyn are not options. They would be starting from ground zero. Wang and the Team will not wait another few years just to see if those developments will get finalized. The Team will go to KC.
If it doesnt work in Nassau/Hempstead…Queens or Brooklyn is fine! Just keep em on the Island/NY.
#53 did make a good point but what is being missed is that you can’t separate the Isles from the community. When things were good that was definitely the case, and now when things are looking bleak it’s even more apparent. In the 80s every Long Islander, regardless of whether they watched hockey, was able to take some pride in the fact that the Isles put us on the map. Other than that we’re known for horrendous traffic and mass murderers.
Smokey #44, I could not agree more. I also agree with #53, it hasn’t been about hockey in a real long time. The next great hope is the LH project. If the LH gets all the approvals necessary and ground breaking starts this year, then the organization will finally be able to concentrate on the on ice product.
Without it, we will be concentrating on where the team is going to move to.
TOH please do not approve the lighthouse. I love the islanders but I also love long island. Wang is a crook. This is widly known from his days at CA when he stole $670 million by lying about earnings. He is named in 4 class action lawsuits. He even was busted by Forbes magazine for lying about his cable contract. Let the islanders move to queens. Let them deal with this crook. The fact that he is stupid enough to hire Snow and Gordon says it all. Actually the contracts he gave Yash and DP prob says what a corrupt idiot this guy is.
Not to be negative. But I don’t see how it’s goign through if it hasn’t already in what, 10 years?
Man I have been an Islander fan most of my life and I am 41. I have never had such a hopeless feeling about my beloved Islanders as I have right now. From crappy owners to crappy GM’s enough is enough. We need something positive to happen. I cant even comprehend the Islanders leaving. I am new to this site, why I have no idea but I have to say the activity and passion I see here is nice to see. Back in the day we could never have invisioned how far this storied franchise would fall. Through the years I have been an eternal optimist, now Im so excited to see the kids develop. I love KO. With a strong chance of getting Taveres or Hedman this whole Light House fiasco just really brings me down. I say lets get it done!!!!
Isles316(#3) Hopefully the excitement will come back in June when Garth Snow steps up to the podium and announces that the Islanders select with the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft…to be continued. I’m glad as an Islander fan I didn’t get my hopes up about this trade deadline. I think a lot of people were hoping that Garth was going to make some block buster deals…and it never happened.
I’m a lifelong NYI fan who grew up in Westchester during the glory years in the heart of Ranger country. I’ve now lived in NYC for the past twenty years, including having to stomach the spring of ‘94 living on 28th St. and 7th Ave with the nightly parade of jackasses six stories below.
That all the daily papers give an embarrassing dearth of coverage to a team that has such an incredible history and passionate fan base is maddening. Though, almost all of my friends who are native Long Islanders are Ranger fans which I find completely baffling. And Ranger fans only when they’re winning I might add.
What’s my point? I’m a passionate fan of the game, a rabid fan. I became so because I grew up watching the Isles. How could you not fall in love with the game watching it being played with the class, with the speed and skill and grit and integrity as it was on the Island for so many good years. A glorious 93 run included.
If they move, I will be so disgusted and heart broken that I imagine I’ll stop watching hockey altogether. Period. Will I be missed? Of course not. But I find it disgraceful that there’s even a QUESTION that Nassau County could turn its back on someone like Wang who, his own real estate concerns aside, has bankrolled a team that’s brought so much to Long Island. What he wants seems good for the Island, but more important, it’s vital for the Islanders. It’s unconscionable that a team that holds the NHL record for consecutive playoff wins could fold their tents and move to Kansas City because its home county didn’t okay a plan that would not only give its only big league team a secure home, but would also provide a HUGE amount of employment for its population in this time of economic crisis. It makes you want to scream. It makes me want to scream anyway.
Look at it any way you want, employment standpoint or a legacy standpoint: a healthy NY Islanders team is good for Long Island.
I know I live in Queens and am an outsider but it ought to be a matter of pride for God’s sake. Fifty years later, listen to the moaning about the tragedy of losing the glorious Penn Station to the wrecking ball. I’m sure enough of you pass through its cramped and sorry subturranean ancestor on a daily basis that you viscerally understand the fruits of silence when faced with the dismantling of a proud history, architectural or otherwise.
Am I being dramatic? Perhaps, but, to borrow from Arthur Miller, ” Attention must be paid”, to such a team. Thanks.
I’m not talking about ten years ago ChrisTMC. I’m talking about Wang’s entire tenure as Islanders owner. I’m referring to Wangs promises of a championship and of never moving the team. Right after we got Yashin and Peca Wang stood on his little soap box and exclaimed it. Was I stupid to believe him? Maybe? If I was, what does that make all you guys that think he’s the toast of the town? Don’t bring up our other owners I know they sucked but the team didn’t move no matter how bad they were. I love the “fans” on here that are so fond of Wang that they hope he moves the team if HIS project doesn’t happen. Absolutely brain washed, it is scary really. What kind of “fan” can you possibly be? I don’t need to “get educated” anymore. I understand it is a good thing if this happens. Its just the Wang way or no other way thing that is a problem. Wang knew about the lease. Wang is a “long Islander” he knows the TOH, how can’t he? If he is so smart how could he not know this wasn’t going to be easy? Guys, really, give it a rest this is ridiculous with this guys following, its almost cultish. Sorry for the long post CB and thanks for all the info the last couple you were great even if I didn’t like the outcome!
A remodeled Coliseum, surrounded with shopping,housing & underground parking will make this area worse than before! The surrounding areas that see day to day traffic jams now at rush hours, will see construction delays, road closings, etc for the estimated 10 years that this albatross will take to be completed. Did anyone ever think that a remodeled Coliseum will be outdated by then? Then what? Roosevelt Field Saturday traffic will be everyday traffic ‘At the Lighthouse’!
I do not think there will be a traffic problem. So what your saying is that you would rather let the team die and move as long as you don’t have to deal with a busy shopping area where people are thriving, people are making money and the Islanders are in a brand new renovated arena which brings in money for the county which so desperately needs it. Oh God forbid we have it like it is at Roosevelt Field on Saturday. Ya know why its like that? ITS BUSY! Right now Uniondale is a horrible area. It’s a lower class neighborhood which could use something like this! My feeling is that it gets done and they stay.
Well said #69 I really dont understand how Wang has been able to brain wash islander fans
Here is a novel idea that will go no where…..but I thought it was worth posting…
The Islanders allegedly cannot be profitable, even with a sellout every night, because of the horrible SMG lease. Supposedly Nassau County is fully behind the Lighthouse project.
Wang not wanting to lose his leverage by just renovating the coliseum makes perfect sense; if he cannot get it done holding the moving of the team over everyone’s head, he would never get anywhere if he just renovated the coliseum…..
UNLESS Nassau County stepped in and pressured SMG to renegotiate, or get bought out….
Then, if everything we are being told is true, Wang could turn a profit on the the franchise. As of now he loosse all the parking revenue and a large portion of concessions and merchandising to the SMG lease, which is between the County and SMG. The Islanders sublet from SMG…..
In exchange for renovating NVMC as a start NOW, the county makes it worth the investment to the coliseum. With increased seating, and a fair lease, Wang can keep the team here, and stop losing money……and maybe even bring in the Nets, etc. At the very least, bring back more concerts, conventions, whatever….
If this could be done, everyone wins, while the balance of the project could go to a referendum of Long Island voters. Wang should not have to lose 20+million per annum while he gets jerked around….this could give him the motivation to invest in the infrastructure for starters, without having him hemorrhage money….thoughts anyone????
Another freaking pot stirrer article. I’m really starting to dislike Newsday.
MSA - if only. My thought is that if that could be done it would have at very least been pushed to the county by Wang already. Or offered to him at some point. We would know if that option was there.
Willis -I agree that this was never on the table, but it is starting to look like if there is no progress, or no mediated alternative, we can start to say goodbye.
#73: Unless Nassau County condemns SMG’s lease, the Isles are stuck. And rest assured, that’s not going to happen. Also rest assured that without a new arena deal set up soon, the Isles will be somewhere else no later than the fall of 2015. The Coliseum is a dump, and short of a total overhaul, it’s on its last legs.
It’s hard to say whether the Isles would still be here had Wang (and Kumar) not bought the team. However, for those of you lamenting Wang’s ownership, please remember the state of the Isles before the Wang/Kumar purchase. If you things are bad now — this is nothing. Ask Chris.
Wang’s record is mixed. He has put some effort into fixing up/cleaning up the Coliseum (a hovel before he and Kumar took over). The Isles have enough money to operate like a real franchise (they don’t sell off players to keep the budget down — think Ziggy Palffy deal). On the down side, he kept Milbury way too long, fired Neil Smith after only six weeks (send Neil your thanks every time you see Kyle Okposo or Brendan Witt) because Smith wanted to be in charge of the things GMs are usually in charge of; hired a completely inexperienced GM (mixed results); gave Yashin an idiotic contract (and paid the price), gave DP a too-long contract.
Is Wang a crook? If not, he is (or was) right on the borderline. I worked for a tech mag back in the day, and he and Sanjay pulled some real stunts to line their wallets. Wang got out of CA ahead of the Feds; Kumar didn’t.
As for the Lighthouse: Wang and Reckson won the right to develop the area in an open process and are (apparently) not asking for public money. If things go well, they will make a great deal of money. But if they are taking the risk and can make it pay off in big profits — isn’t that what our economy is supposed to be about (right, Mr. President — oh, sorry, we’re all supposed to be taxed out of out shorts … but that’s another problem).
I actually doubt Wang would move the team himself. He still has to live here. He’s more likely to sell to someone who would do the deed. But unless a buyer can take that TV deal with him/her, I can’t see the team moving out of the area. The NHL has enough problem with small-market teams in non-hockey cities without adding another one.
BTW: Watch for one possible scenario: With the Atlantic Yards project on life support and soon to have the plug pulled, Bruce Ratner looks to sell the Nets — and Wang (who admitted when he bought the team that he was a hoops guy) tries to buy them and bring them back to the Island.
bergie20….”Nothing we didn’t already know”????…I had no idea Kate Murray had been offering a “NEW”, not refurbished, but new arena and Wang turned her down because he wants the stupid Lighthouse. Clearly this guy does not have the Islanders at the top of his list.
MikeD (#78): Kate Murray is making offers she has no business making.
Two things: first, the Coliseum can be redeveloped without any Town of Hempstead involvement. Its involvement is zoning, and the place obviously is zoned already for an arena. So Kate Murray saying she “offered” Wang the “opportunity” to redevelop the site as a stand alone arena is an empty gesture.
Secondly, the owner of the land is Nassau County. They had a request for proposals. There were several. (Five, I believe). The Wang/Rexcorp proposal was chosen. Not one of the five offered to simply redo the Coliseum.
Everyone should just get it through their thick skulls: the day of the stand-alone arena surrounded by a parking lot is dead, dead, dead. Nobody is going to redevelop the NVMC in that way, unless the county wants to take it upon itself to squander millions of dollars of taxpayer money each year as the owner of a stand-alone arena. That’s why nobody proposed that in the RFP.
Forget a stand-alone arena. It isn’t happening. And the next time Kate Murray says she “offered” that option, everyone should just laugh in her face. She isn’t needed for that plan to take place.
JayK…you seem to be much more well informed on the details surrounding the Lighthouse than I am but to say a stand-alone arena is dead is just crazy. How is it the Devils can have one in the middle of what most consider a bad neighborhood and we can’t support one on Long Island?
people can argue points all day long - the bottome line now - is will it be approved. Anyone have any inside info that this will be - I am out of the LI Politics loop and im just curious - is the TOH going to approve it or will the moving trucks come in. Yes there are a lot of steps - this that and the other thing - bottom line - will Kate Murray become our Robert Mosses?
MikeD (78): You say that the TOH “offered the Islanders a new arena”? In what spacetime continuum was that, may I ask? The closest thing to what youre talking about (and it is not very close) was the TOH suggesting that Wang build a new arena out of his own pocket before all of the studies go through- so that the Lighthouse could take an extra 5 years to pass without anything pressuring them.
And she actually has no right to make that offer, even if the Islanders DID want to do it. Nassau county already had the choice to vote for an arena alone or for the lighthouse project, and guess which one was already approved? Nassau County government > TOH government.
Ill say it again- get informed. Please.
What does anyone expect the Isles / Wang to say if they aren’t able to have the Light House??? We already know that Wang CAN’T just re-do the Coli as a stand alone and make money … that isn’t an option.
So if the Lighthouse is not approved. I fully expect Wang (rightfully so) to Find Some Love Elsewhere … PERIOD … and you cannot blame him… Don’t demonize Wang for wanting to pull up stakes … the man already saved the Isles once … but he’s not going to lose $20M a year every year b/c the Town of Hempstead says NO.
BTW … Chris TMC is correct … To many people are ill-informed or have partial information … The Town of Hempstead can’t offer the Isle’s to just re-do the Coliseum… It isn’t their property to make that offer. It’s Nassau County’s and they want the whole site redone by their tennant.
There is the ‘Rotten Apple Theory’ possibility for this area. Someone said Uniondale is a ‘horrible’ area. Well, the rotten apple theory states that you cannot take a rotten apple, put it in with fresh apples & expect the good apples to make the rotten apple better, the rotten apple always makes the good apples bad. I am not saying that the Lighthouse area will turn out ‘Horrible’ as someone put it, but the surrounding other communities such as East Meadow,Westbury will be affected. How? I certainly do not know, but am concerned.
This does not make me less an Islander fan than the ones that want the Lighthouse built, just one fan that does not want to see this part of Nassau county turned into Times Square. That’s all. This is the Island, not NYC. I enjoy driving past the Coliseum & seeing some wide open unused space, but that is me & I accept any decision made, but have made my concerns against it to all of the local politicians.
Chirs TMC…You should read more carefully next time. I didn’t say the TOH offered the Islanders a new arena, I was commenting on the fact that Newsday said they did.
Mike D (#80): Yes, the Rock is in a not particularly great city. It was definitely a bit of a risk for the Devils’ owners. But both the Tigers and Lions moved to adjacent stadiums in downtown Detroit, which is on par with Newark, and are doing well. It’s a horrendous city — I’ve been there several times — but still, after the game, there are restaurants across the street, you can stroll over to Greektown, which is lively, etc. This MAY eventually happen with Newark; I don’t know. But the fact of the move itself is clearly another team turning their back on the “get in your car and drive to our home” type of arena.
Also, in #86: Newsday is doing a lousy job in not pointing out that Kate Murray’s “offer” is ridiculous. It’s like her offering people a chance to play golf at Eisenhower Park. It’s just laughable.
BTW… The Rock in Newark has insane mass transit. I have friends, on Long Island, that will not miss a Islanders vs Devils game in NJ!!!!
Sadly, they find it easier, and more fun to go to Newark via LIRR and NJ Transit, that they would rather spend their money there!!!
If that doesn’t say it all, nothing does…..