WANG AND MURRAY TO TALK LIGHTHOUSE
Supervisor will take her shot at downsizing project
The indefatigable Eden Laikin reports for Newsday. Town of Hempstead officials are cited as the source, but Kate Murray is not quoted in the article. Nevertheless, against Wang’s request the Town gave Newsday every piece of information - including when they sent the invite and when Wang accepted. At Islanders practice today, Wang declined to speak about the Lighthouse.
The Supervisor will get her first crack at chipping away at the scale of the Lighthouse Project, for the good of the people. Who those people are, I’m not sure. Wang really should investigate if he can be a king of Queens.
89 Responses to “WANG AND MURRAY TO TALK LIGHTHOUSE
Supervisor will take her shot at downsizing project”
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He really needs to Go to that press conference in queens.
what press conference
Kate Murray is using the tactics of George McClellan. No matter how many troops Lincoln sent him, McClellan always screamed for more, citing false intelligence reports that he was outnumbered.
What does “indefatigable” mean?
Even if he has no intention of going to queens, just him showing up at a meeting with the queens people might get kate moving
PLEASE get this done and keep them on the Island, even if it has to be downsized.
Why does Wang keep requesting that Murray not talk to the press? Why is he afraid of the people hearing about his plans?
I don’t like that he keeps making demands on the government, like “Do it by this date” and “Don’t tell anyone what we are talking about”.
Very demanding.
Someone needs to say NO. Either its Murray or its Wang. As long as it happens soon. I am tired of this soap opera. Lets get on with this already. Either scale it down, or move em outta hempstead…go to queens…go to brooklyn.. go to suffolk..I dont care…just get a deal done.
don’t negotiate at all, just leave, they don’t deserve a pro sports team in their town, or any kind of large investment in the community. Go to queens where they want a team, enough of this stuff, let them enjoy the cement wasteland.
#4 Chris A
It means inexhaustible, or untiring.
Hey Norman…when your the guy who is gonna invest 4 billion to improve what they have NEGLECTED …then you have every right to be demanding. Personally, If i was wang, I would of told her to kiss off by now. See ya !
“They call those fictional books” - Doug Weight
#2- Queens announced this past weekend to the NY Post that they will having a press conference to officially announce their desire to bring the Islanders to Willets Point. Also, I am in 100% agreement with CB, time to talk to Queens and start seeing if this is a legtimate option. To me it is a no-brainer.
As much as I want to see the Isles stay right where they are….putting myself in Wangs shoes….I would be all over Queens or Suffolk and tell Kate to shove…..el it. Abiding by the rules CB…..Abiding by the rules.
Queens sounds better everyday…..not to mention its actually closer to where I am.
Wang should call Murrary’s bluff before the election. Agree to scale Lighthouse down by 10-15% as his final offer. The TOH can take it or leave it. I am sick and tired at looking at Murray’s imperious campaign signs throughout the Town. Talk about polluting the environment.
queens queens queens.
forget about Murray & Nassau. Queens is by far the best option for this franchise.
Can’t we just buy them a Rockem’ Sockem’ game and have them go best out of 7 to see who wins this debate? I think we would have a better chance using that method. We’ll call Eric Cairns as our designated official.
It was a big day for me today. I saw one McElroy sign jn Bellmore.
…..interesting. If Wang can become the “King of Queens” then I say do it. CB, the Queens option offers what exactly for Wang? Will he be able to develop real estate like he desires? How will Queens make it profitable for Wang to the owner of the Islanders.
If so I say go for it. Or explore Suffolk, either way enough is enough. I agree with others that say I cant take this crap anymore. We want resolution.
CB - When do you think we will actually KNOW what is going to happen to the Islanders?? My guess is it won’t be until after the new year. Possibly not until close to the end of the season.
Priority #1: Nassau
Priority #2: If #1 fails, Queens
Suffolk they would not survive, neither would they in Brooklyn. Both lacations are too far from their main fanbase of Eastern Queens, Nassau, and Western Suffolk. Thats the biggets density of Isles fans. Brentwood is too far east, Brooklyn is too far west. Queens would be just right if Nassau falls through.
Go west my son… To Queens.
Can we move the team to Queens, and move Gordon to Manitoba?
Wang should consider scaling back the project. Eliminate a couple of buildings if that’s what will make Murray happy.
I’m not too interested in all the other buildings such as the hotel and convention center, I’m more interested in getting a new arena as soon as possible.
The quicker they can reach an agreement, the happier all Islanders fans will be.
So Murray and Wang will meet, but will she actually put down her Blackberry and take a look at the voluminous LDC docs and supporting studies? Or will she ask how many buildings there’ll be and more concerns that have already been answered?
I disagree that Wang should publicly court support outside of Nassau–yet. The first priority, and the sizable focus of his time, money, and investment, is with the Lighthouse, so getting that done has to be the top priority. Giving public lip service to Suffolk, Queens, or Brooklyn–or anywhere else, for that matter–at this stage may not help matters with Murray, who must be aware of the urgency of her/Wang’s position, and it might cost the Lighthouse some support. However, keep those back channels open.
I personally don’t believe that the Isles will be moving from Nassau County.It’s in both their interests (Wang’s and Murray’s) to get a deal done. I’m sure that they will come to an agreement eventually. Patience fellow Isles fan’s…patience!!
Town of Hempstead is such an outdated living and breathing entity. They don’t deserve any of this. And this world doesn’t give you what you don’t deserve, so its looking more and more like Queens. I’ll tell you what if they could somehow arrange it under the Highway there and have a little River Walk on the Water, well now we’re talking !! If the Mets can draw 3 Million in the same spot, I’m sure the Isles will just be fine, once they start putting the Franchise back together.
You guys don’t understand. If Wang has to “scale down” the project, he won’t be able to make the money he needs to run the team and make a good profit.
So stop saying he should, he already can’t afford to pay the team as it is.
any good businessman has a plan B..i am sure Wang and Rechler know what they can give back when negoitating. This will get done in some form. Let’s get back to more important things like worrying about our 4th line and whether thompson should play.
Murray is just grandstanding. ‘Look at me. I’m trying to work with the big bad businessman. I’ll make sure he doesn’t ruin your commute. Give me money. Please vote for me … I really care about you’
Gotta love those comments to the Newsday article. Many slam Wang as nuts. Either he’ll scale it down or end the charade because the big LH proposal is a pipe dream.
Botta, as well as others, said in June to contact Queens. Don’t know why Wang hasn’t done that already. Looking forward to the QUEENS press conference this week as LI politicians, fans and Wang need to give up the LI charade and get something done in QUEENS!
Brentwood is exactly 20 miles East of the NVMC…Too far East ?? Brentwood IS Western Suffolk..
….just wanted to add I’ve had root canal that has seemed to go faster than these proceedings. We all just want an answer SOON 1 way or the other.
Turning into NYCs 2nd team will mean so much more to the bottom line than being NYCs suburban team that no one knows exists.
This line you wrote Chris:
Wang really should investigate if he can be a king of Queens.
Says all that needs to be said. Too bad you no longer work for the organization so you can hammer this point home to Wang
There comes a point where Wang has to save his own dignity. All of Long Island is watching as Kate Murray makes an absolute fool out of herself. There’s a new article in Newsday everyday about Long Island’s boroughs wanting the Islanders. She is in a complete minority in her opposition to this project - and Wang has to start putting his own money where his mouth is.
Stand up and withdraw the project. She does not deserve one benefit of this project, not when you have such amazing alternatives at your disposal. If you are considering scaling down(which he is, me thinks) scale down a little and say take it or leave it.
Let all of Long Island watch as she puts the darkest day in Long Island politics, especially Nassau County, front and center. Walk away, and let her take the brunt of it. The fallout of what she’s doing will be unreal.
Kate Murray, you have failed Long Island, you have failed New York State, and more importantly, you have failed yourself.
If the Islanders leave Nassau, Kate Murray isn’t the only one who fails Long Island. Time for Isles fans to stop drinking the coolaid. The Wanger is as much responsible for the current stalemate as Kate Murray. Wang has been saying he would be flexible and now when he needs to be he isn’t.
The west is the best.. Get here and we’ll do the rest!!
37- I agree. Wang and his not negotiating stance and his yes or no demand to the BIG project is as much to blame if not more so than Murray. Murray isn’t being cheap with NYI with the lowest payroll, lowest paid GM and coach, no radio etc., worst team.
If NYI leave the NY Metro area and don’t end up in Queens/Bklyn then Wang is just as bad as O’Malley for losing the Dodgers and should never hear the end of it. If they leave Nassau for the NY Metro area then Wang gets a pass but still he and Murray are no saints.
#33 If you’re coming from the West, (Jersey, Queens, Brooklyn) That 20 miles is a lot, and there are plenty of us.
Wang should agree to scale down to get things moving. Once the project is in motion renogotiate for the addbacks..they will be much easier to approve.
CB -
Love the use of vocabulary. Hopefully this will lead to a erudite readership of IPB.
even if we had all the time in the world to start over, if they moved to Queens, they wouldn’t be the Islanders anymore. I’m not talking geographically; I realize Queens isn’t that far. But do you think they would still be called the New York Islanders? Would they have the same logo and colours some of us have been crying to get back for years? No, they would be called something else, marketed for a new location and they would wear a different sweater. Might as well cheer for the Devils if you’re ok with these types of changes.
scale down to what? I can see a 10% change but it has to be pprofitable in order to make worthwhile as even a new arena will lose $$
Go Kate keep it surburban not urban
Hey Hockey Guy in Canada.
I don’t think you realize the Queens location is about 10 - 15 Miles from where they play now. Plus you also might not realize that Queens is technically on Long Island.
HockeyGuyinCanada,
Queens is on Long Island. Its right next to the border of Nassau County where Willets Point is. No need ot change anything, the name, the sweater…nothing.
^ - Cmon bro can you REALLY try to bring something of substance instead of a silly slogan.. Give us some legit reasoning
.. I ask ANYONE who is against the plan to watch ESPN and see what happens when a team leaves a area! The heart is ripped out both economically and emotionally! ESPN 30.30 had a recent show on Baltimore (and the marching band lol) and how BAD/TERRIBLE it was for the city to lose the Colts!! —-
I beg ANYONE 2 watch that show, to see what it does to the local area/municipality. ITS NOT GOOD 4 THE AREA!!! — Cmon some ‘common sense’ and lets get it done, lets go Isles
@40 - They will absolutely keep their identity; colors, name, logo, everything. Not sure why you would think otherwise. You don’t re-brand a team with the history of the Isles because they move a few miles away.
Am I the only person who can read that every article written about the LH tell us the number of buildings in the proposal, but Murray and her band of brainless bandits keep coming back with not knowing how many buildings are in the proposal?
Seriously—all these questions about the number of buildings is a joke. Have any of them even looked at the plan?
I hope Wang goes to the meeting with an open mind, but at the same time, there is nothing Murray and Co. can say that can be trusted. Nothing will happen until documents are signed and votes taken. I just don’t believe she has any inclination to move on this. We are 3 scant weeks away from election day. She wants to appear as if she is “doing something” but is trying to run the clock out. Once the election day clock strikes, she goes back into her hole in Town Hall and does not say a word for another 2 years.
Maybe Wang should start talking directly to Skelos
I don’t think the team will move to Suffolk but there are more season ticket/plan holders there than Brooklyn and Queens combined so I think Suffolk should stay in the conversation. The Isles make it tough sometimes but the botton line is that a lot of people in this area love them and will follow them where ever they play. I live in Suffolk and I vote they stay where they are. Wang needs to dance a little with Murray and they deal will get done.
kate is STILL WRONG! stop trying to make Wang out to be the bad gut here, if you do then you are giving in to kate’s political B.S! Wang IS the best thing to happen to this team in a long time! if not for him we would in a far worse situation here! Wang should not scale down again! thats right, AGAIN! remember the original plan with a single building twice as tall? I do! if Wang was to move his project to willits point they would probably let him build the tallest building in the world if he wanted! UPSCALE ! ! !!!
My assumption is that the boroughs, especially Queens, is better for the Islanders. Nassau is better for WANG.
Queens(if it becomes a reality):
They get a new arena.
They easily double their fan base.
Corporate sponsorship(luxury suites).
Access to mass transit.
The ISLANDERS are in the BLACK, and most likely with room to spare, for the first time in their history.
Nassau:
If all goes well with the LHP (and that’s still a question mark) WANG makes money. That’s not a bad thing, but the Islanders don’t…that is a bad thing.
Still no mass transit.
Still no corporate sponsorship.
The Islanders can’t be sold, and they’re locked into a lose money situation with Mickey Mouse ownership until at least 2030.
So, YES, i want to see Charles Wang make money. And YES, I want to see the LHP be built because it would be good for Long Islanders (I’m not so sure after it’s built, but the jobs and money will help).
But NO, don’t try to tell me it’s the best thing for the Islanders. The faster they become a self sustaining entity and a sellable commodity, the better.
Did anybody happen to notice where they finished last year? Does anybody expect them to finish better than 27th this year? Did Wang tie up $8M/yr on players who don’t play. Did snow acquire 7 goaltenders, but not as many GOALS in the offseason?
I’m really tired of the “who would buy the Islanders” too. Put them up for sale with a viable option in NYC, and I bet they are sold in 90 days.
The message from TOH is pretty darn clear: Wang/Rechsler & their Lighthouse are not wanted here. The NIMBY-ites of Uniondale and Garden City seem to have the ears of the TOH board & supervisor. Whatever happened to the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few??
From a “keeping the Islanders in Nassau” perspective, this is great news. Sounds like we will have clarity soon.
The two parties will either agree on the scope of the project or they will not. Perhaps I’m being optimistic, but Murray will approve the project, but she needs to save face with constituents that are against it.
I see this as purely positive folks. This will get done. First time I thought that in awhile.
Speculate all you want about a move in this area, its not going to happen. If the LH doesn’t happen the team will be sold and moved to Canada. Most likely spot Quebec City. They can build a new arena and they have the fans to fill it. But if I were a betting man I would say the odds still favor the LH being approved in a downsized manner. As you are reading this the details are probably being worked out.
and really who cares if murray speaks to the press. Just get to the table and negotiate so we know either way already!
Have you guys noticed that during rush our, on the way home, traffic is slow coming east and fast going west? Why wouldn’t Suffolk be feasible is my question? I think the Isles belong in Suffolk and the team would have plenty of fans in the area who would fill the arena, including myself who’s hasn’t gone to Isles games that much due to lack of transportation, long story there, lol.
Willets Point.
I still say Wang bought this team for real estate. I also think that someone with deep pockets and love for hockey would likely find promise in a scaled back Lighthouse that included a new building. If Wang doesn’t get his beloved Lighthouse, I say he bolts. The only reason he’ll move is if it has a positive affect on the value of the hockey franchise. He’s not going to Queens and I bet Murray knows that.
Like many of you, I’m growing tired of this ongoing saga. I look forward to the conversation being about hockey. Let’s get some closure, so we can start talking Taylor Hall.
Like I said, I know where Queens is. The Islanders have already been re-branded in 1995. I believe Wang is capable of making a hockey related decision that many would judge to be excentric.
Murray/TOH are still playing the same old delay games. The environmental study has already been completed by the state, but TOH wants to scale back the project for “Environmental Concerns”. TOTAL BS, bring on Willets Point !!!
To quote the wise man Mr. Spock:
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few (Garden City) or the one (Kate Murray) !
I don’t know why anyone would be against scaling the project down. The infrastructure can still be built to add to the LHD if need be, but again scaling it back is really not that much of a slap in the face to Wang.
IF he wants to play hardball, as the TOH is, then there will forever be an impasse and nothing gets done. Concessions need to be made on both sides, that is the real story - we’ll see what happens.
theres no advantage for Mr Wang to have his conversations in Newsday. all his cards, 4000 pages long as required, are on the table. he has scaled down the project, repeatedly. he has moved the project in a direction that made all local governments happy, but one. it reads as if hes done scaling down, and reached his take it or leave it price point.
what concessions, what move to compromise, has TOH made to further this process. attended their own meetings, after blowing a bunch off. setting a meetig the same date as an out of town game in K.C. appearing for photo op? if anybody has been willing to bend, its the developer. i look foward to reading where TOH has establish, or in fact, moved off an establish point.
To quote the wise man Mr. Spock correctly:
The needs of the many (LI’ers) outweigh the needs of the few (Islander fans) or the one (Charles Wang) !
GreenButton, #67,
Do you realize that in numerous polls conducted, a majority of LI’ers SUPPORT this project? It would appear you didnt realize that, otherwise you wouldnt have made a false comment.
It doesn’t matter much if she wants to put her own stamp on it, though. Heck, name a building or a park after her if that’s what it takes. Sometimes people with big egos need constant assurances to feel good about themselves. The clashing of egos on both sides, imo, is probably the third biggest roadblock to getting this approved, right behind politics and money.
Queens.
For me anywhere on LI is fine. I don’t consider that a real move. Queens , Brooklyn, Suffolk all are good choices. I think this meeting with Murray should be the last.It is yes or no time! I am confident the Isles can find a home on LI elsewhere and when they do, they will get welcomed with open arms!!
Remember the cost of buying and operating an existing team is the value of the franchise plus the cost of the building plus the rest of the operational costs -players, insurance and maintanance etc.etc. Bottom line if Wang sells to someone else and locates nearby the basic cost is going to be 175m for the franchise and then 400m for the building. No local or county government has that dough, and hockey is the smallest pro sport with already 2 clubs in the area. Incidentally the NJD are not doing that great in terms of attendance. This is why the LH is the best bet for continuing the Islander brand.
Pardon me if I don’t think scaling down this massive project is the worst thing in the world. Let’s just build something already.
If Wang only cared about Real Estate he sure waited a long time, and blew millions of dollars to finally show his true colors.
Wait a minute.. Did we want a hockey team with a new arena or a real estate tycoon with a developement? I forget..
Scaling down the project is exactly what Murray is hoping the public at large will be pushing for after a long and arduous battle.
Tinkering with this project at this point will only cause more delays. That’s exactly what Murray and the TOH want.
The politics here is shameful but not unexpected at this point. We should all be used to it by now. There should be no surprises from here on out.
it’s amazing a guy can save a team, keep it here and lose 100 mill or more and still be a bad guy to a few of you ungrateful fans
#50 That is exactly my point with this ridiculous meeting after meeting after meeting. While Islander fans cling to hope, I say there is no hope because if Hempstead was interested in the project they would already know how many buildings were included in the project. But they haven’t taken the time to learn because this is not a top priority to them. They don’t care. All they are doing is biding their time until Election day and then the big NO will come from them. Wake up Islander fans. The Islanders will not be in Nassau for much longer.
How would moving the Queens would have a negative value on the Islanders? I don’t understand.
To quote Thornton Mellon “How about building this in Fantasy Land!”
Didn’t we have enough time for talk? It’s now time for action and they want to sit down and scale the project back? The TOH is either incapable or unwilling to move forward on this project. Either way, Queens, here we come! TOH, hope you’re happy with the empty asphalt wasteland that will now define Uniondale. Nice work, I hope everyone in Garden City is happy.
If the new lease in Nassau County does not go through, can the Islanders try to buy out SMG without building the Lighthouse project? I would imagine it would not cost them a fortune nowadays to buy them out. I am just suggesting this because it will take 3 or 4 years (possibly more) to build an arena somewhere else if the Islanders do decide to leave Nassau county.
I really couldn’t care less about another suppose meeting between the two in the press. The only thing I want to hear from the press is when the darn thing is done. And yes, I agree also, that wang should go to that press conference in queens. If he doesn’t go, then he is nothing more than an idiot.
I really hope that Charles and Kate can work something out. I want the Islanders to stay in Nassau. Queens is part of New York City and they have enough teams. The Islanders are Long Island’s team. If it does not work out, I prefer Suffolk. It is on Long Island and is actually on the Islanders logo unlike Queens.
Bocks, Queens is on the Isles’ logo.
Actually Queens is not on the Isles’ logo right now, but they should be if the Islanders do end up in Brooklyn or Queens. If the Isles can’t buy out SMG then I hope they buy out the Nassau County on the Coliseum lease if they complete another arena before 2015. Brooklyn and Queens is a geographical part of Long Island, no matter what one may say.
I really think this is getting old, it is also impacting the team’s performance on the ice with this uncertainty. Wang needs to lay it on the line with her. i believe their will be some serious backlash here but she will still win the election so what does Murray care?
You make an excellent point,Joe Fred#87. Although lacking in overall talent,I also think the pall of uncertainty has found its way to the ice. There is a collective civil pride factor when representing a locale. Considering what is going on,each player subconsciously must ask themselves;”who are we? aside from ourselves,who are we playing for and who do we represent?” No individual feels comfortable playing for a lame duck franchise. This uncertainty not only has become a distraction to Wang and his fans,but I firmly believe the players also to some degree. Charles has to rethink keeping his faithfuls in the dark. All orange,white and blue diehards,players and fans alike desperately need certainty also!
Charles,bring them where they have always belonged. Queens.Hopefully down the road with a real partnership with the Mets.The jokes about attendAnce and “who cares?” will end. TRAINS,TRAINS,TRAINS. Let the TOH enjoy the unspoiled beauty of concrete and weeds.