COLISEUM CASINO: LET IT RIDE
Guest editorial by LI Press publisher Jed Morey
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(Editor’s note: As most of you know, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano recently went public (again) with his idea to solve the arena issue by combining a new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with a casino owned by the Shinnecock tribe. Mangano’s plan was first written about on Point Blank last July 12.
By working with the Shinnecocks, Mangano would not need zoning approvals from the Town of Hempstead. As you would expect, however, the casino plan has already been met with resistance from some community groups.
With no new news to advance the subject of the arena issue – hard to believe, but Charles Wang has now owned the Islanders for eleven years – I have chosen to publish this editorial by Long Island Press publisher Jed Morey. The piece, first published in the Press, supports the Mangano/Shinnecock initiative. You have your opportunity to express your views in the Comments thread.
I’ve known Jed for close to 15 years, back when Jim Cerny, Chris King and I called Islanders games for the dearly departed, legendary new wave/progressive rock radio station WLIR, which was owned by the Morey family. Jed is also a founding member of Keep It On Long Island, an online community – www.kioli.org – dedicated to preserving the Long Island economy while providing environmental stewardship in the region. The KIOLI founding members set aside 5% of membership investments to purchase shares of a local, organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, which then donates the equivalent shares to Island Harvest.
I thank him for the column and for starting the conversation. The opinions expressed are his. For now, let me just repeat what I have been saying for almost three years in this space: it is vital for all of Islanders Country to support the efforts to keep the team in Nassau County, Long Island, New York…CB)
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COLISEUM CASINO: LET IT RIDE
by Jed Morey – Publisher, Long Island Press
There is a renewed hullaballoo surrounding the proposed Shinnecock casino at the current site of the Nassau Coliseum. A deserved hullaballoo, I might add. The very thought of a casino in the middle of our bustling, albeit struggling, suburban landscape inspires clamorous debate among the many stakeholders that exist in relatively tight quarters. Even lame duck Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is quacking about building a casino at his beloved Yaphank facility claiming that it’s better suited further away from Nassau County residents.
Unfortunately, it will be a cold day in hell before Long Islanders in either county have a say in the matter. People you have never heard of in positions you didn’t know existed will never allow a casino to be built this close to New York City because it would potentially devastate the interests of the people they represent from upstate New York, Connecticut, Atlantic City and Las Vegas. I offer this, not to quell your enthusiasm but to issue a gauntlet of solidarity and self-determination: either we all get behind this, or we drop it from the start.
So let’s have a debate among ourselves. Long Islander to Long Islander. But allow me to establish some ground rules. First, take the emotion out of the ensuing discourse by recognizing that while there is no magic elixir to cure our financial illness on Long Island, Nassau County in particular, we must not allow ourselves to be constrained by classic NIMBYism. There’s nothing wrong with thinking big. Conversely, big thinking doesn’t always ensure positive outcomes. But the only journey that guarantees failure is one that never begins. Taxpayers can no longer afford pusillanimous behavior from elected officials who acquiesce to a vocal minority. (Yeah, I’m talking to you, Huntington! Oops. Getting emotional. My bad.)
Further, in order to have a proper discussion we must move past the question of legitimacy; that is, whether the tribe has the right to construct a casino on this parcel. For the purposes of examining the potential impact of this type of development, let us assume that it is within their right to strike an agreement with the government to build on this property. Lastly, the only other stipulation I entreat you to heed is to refrain from casting racially motivated aspersions toward members of the Shinnecock Nation. It detracts from the merit of the debate.
Here are my assertions. Let the debate begin.
If you build it they will come. A casino nestled within such a populous community has the potential of being the largest-grossing casino in the nation. Factor in the public transportation access to this area from New York City residents and this is an irrefutable fact. The impact upon the local economy would be seismic. According to a 2008 study published by the Taylor Policy Group of Sarasota, Fla., the estimated impact of the gaming and related industries of the Seneca Nation in western New York is $820 million annually. The study places this figure in context by stating that “the impact of the Nation exceeds that of the [Buffalo] Bills and the [Buffalo] Sabres combined and approaches that of the SUNY Buffalo campus.” This project would create thousands of sustained jobs and provide badly needed work for the local trades, generate healthy revenues to the Long Island Power Authority and local municipalities, and have an incredible halo effect on the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
A casino would not create a seedy culture. This particular assertion is hotly debated. Casinos conjure up images of mafia hoods and prostitutes. Never mind that you can already gamble in dozens of OTBs, buy lottery tickets on every corner, find a hooker making the rounds in industrial parks, or get a happy ending at any number of corner massage parlors. The moment a high-priced call girl takes up residence on a casino barstool looking for an out-of-town businessman in a leisure suit with a name badge, our puritan alarm sounds and the torches and pitchforks come out. I’m not condoning the use of escort services, but merely pointing out our collective hypocrisy with respect to our view on what’s acceptable and where. Prohibiting this illegal indulgence is far more manageable than scouring Craigslist and cracking down on neighborhood massage parlors.
This actually is the best location for a casino. The modern casino is part of an extensive array of business and cultural services. They tend to be aesthetically pleasing (think Wynn, not Trump) and boost the viability of a convention center, sports complex and entertainment arena. If a gaming operation was paired with a family destination nearby (think Great Wolf Lodge), imagine the combined economic possibilities of family and business travel. I might also remind everyone that Roosevelt Raceway was a gigantic gambling facility. It amuses me to no end that we can build a refuse-burning facility with a Garden City address down the road, but a casino with a hotel, sports arena and convention center threaded by a coordinated transit hub that connects local retail and commerce is a non-starter.
This development would ease traffic. Yup. I said it. The amount of money generated by a full-fledged hotel, casino and convention operation with a family amusement center would fund the long-desired transportation hub between the railroad, Museum Row, and the local shopping destinations. It’s all right there; you just can’t get there from here at the moment.
The Islanders are worth fighting for. This team stood by Long Island for decades. Hell, they even looked pretty good at the end of this season and their prospects for next year are even better. This is our only professional sports franchise. Like I said, the Islanders are worth fighting for.
Hofstra would benefit greatly from this development. Hofstra University is emerging as the largest and most vocal detractor of this project. This is completely understandable given the fears gambling inspires. The two most salient points the University is making are that college kids shouldn’t have this type of access to a gambling establishment and that its proximity will have a deleterious effect on the school’s image from the perspective of parents considering sending their children to the school.
First of all, kids are gambling online and addicted to video games. This will be the addiction cross to bear for this generation. As for the perceptual aesthetic and moral issues of a peripheral gaming establishment, it’s hard to imagine the current “approach” to the University being any worse. I love the Hofstra campus but the immediate surroundings, including the dilapidated coliseum, leave much to be desired.
Hofstra is a serious stakeholder that would and should be able to ask for the sun, moon and stars when the infrastructure is fully developed here. President Stuart Rabinowitz has done more to enhance the reputation of this institution, from which I proudly hold a degree, by hosting the Presidential debate, building a medical school and improving the overall academic standing of the school. Hofstra is already bigger than its environs and will continue to be so for decades to come, casino or no casino. Besides, you tell me which option sounds worse to a parent in Nebraska with a child considering a top-notch school in New York:
(A) Columbia University in Harlem,
(B) Fordham University in the Bronx, or
(C) Hofstra University on Long Island.
By now, I’m confident several of you vehemently disagree with these assertions. With that, let the games (of chance) begin.
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Your opinions on Jed Morey’s column and on the Coliseum/casino plan are encouraged in Comments. Local leaders interested in writing an op-ed on the arena issue are encouraged to email me at cb@islanderspointblank.com. Thank you.
206 Responses to COLISEUM CASINO: LET IT RIDE
Guest editorial by LI Press publisher Jed Morey
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moonshine says:
well, i don’t live in the area and what i know of it comes from getting to islanders’ games a little early to have a look around. the residential streets are fine, the main drags are fairly seedy already. my sense is that the nvmc location is fine for car travel and basically worthless for anything else (the rock in newark actually is next to a wonderful local neighborhood).
i think hofstra’s objections would be a high hurdle to placing a casino in that spot. in itself the arena-casino pairing would be fine (althought i’d worry a little about players too, not just hofstra students). but i can’t see a uiversity accepting a gaming establishment right next door.
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Onesinceforty says:
I could care less what is around them or who is behind it as long as they stay in the New York area. Time is running out however. A clear vision needs to be articulated soon. Wang saying his first choice would be to stay in NY is not a clear statement by itself.
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Jim Clark says: If it keeps the team in Nassau County, then I’m in favor of it. But I’m more likely to send Milbury a fan letter thanking him for being the Islanders GM than I am to ever enter a casino and placing a bet.
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Al says:
Good piece by Morey. The problem is that Point Blank is just about the only place where the Coliseum issue is discussed. Who else leads the charge? Wang never says anything, Newsday is worthless and hardly anyone else seems to care.
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Vukota says:
Morey did a really good job with this. Good job by Botta giving him the space. But let’s be real. Hempstead may not have any say in an Indian deal, but there’s no way this ever gets approved. What Wang’s next move is I have no idea. It’s far from a sure thing that the Islanders will be here in 2015.
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Michael Clay says:
I live about 3 miles from the NVMC and would support the casino. As for Hofstra, I could see them objecting less if the Shinnecock Indians “partnered” with Hofstra and their Hotel Management program. Just like the airing of the Islander games gave their sports journalism and broadcasting programs a boost, partnering with a major hospitality destination would have benefits.
Other things could be done to show that Hofstra and the Casino working together to mitigate any problems.
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Healy says:
If the casino would bring in public transportation that is connected to or an extension of the LIRR then I am for it.
And as a graduate of Fordham, I can say that people will attend the school if its a good school regardless of the surrounding area. Parents’ pause be damned.
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Jethro09 says:
I have to respectfully disagree with the insinuation that there is quality public transportation available from NYC. That is bogus. Getting to the Nassau Coliseum from NYC by public transportation is nearly impossible. You either have to take a transfer-infested train to Hempstead followed by a taxi ride or bus ride on an awful bus line in suburbia to the Coliseum or you take a train to Mineola, followed by either a longer taxi ride or longer bus ride on an equally awful bus from Mineola to Hempstead. If the mere thought of doing that doesn’t turn people from NYC away, the experience sure would.
The only way you can rely upon a legitimate public transportation argument in support of this project is if public transportation is seriously overhauled as part of the project. Simply put, there needs to be an easier rail option direct to the Coliseum/Casino site in order for people from NYC and beyond to seriously consider taking public transportation to the site. The way its set up now is awful.
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Casinos are popping up all over country and are a great source of employment, tourism, etc.. Build it and the people will come. My only question is “How many years will it take to get thru all the legal court battles (Dolans, Hofstra, etc)?”
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Bman says:
Long time reader, first time(?) commenter. I never took the approach to a casino in the manner that you did in this article. Although I am generally against a casino, you made some excellent points. If this is what it takes for the TOH to actually DO something, so be it.
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bcarey says:
The assertion that it would not create a seedy culture is lost on me. Casinos draw trash. End of story. I hate the idea and I’m sure Gary Bettman does too.
But I guess if it keeps the Isles where they belong…must the ends always justify the means?
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Oye Comeau Va says:
CB – Any update of when the ToH board will unveil their scaled down “Lighthouse Project”? Even if the ToH comes back with 33% of Wang’s vision, isn’t it conceivable that the 2 sides could head back to the bargaining table and meet somewhere in the middle? Isn’t there a little more incentive on Kate Murray to make a deal with Wang in the hopes that it could nip the casino issue in the butt sooner rather than later?
OCV: They unveiled it last summer. It was about 25% of the Lighthouse and was rejected…CB
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4theisles says:
A very good discussion of a big issue. Even if everything where to be approved we are talking about 5 to 10 years before a puck would be dropped at a new building. I doubt that the Isles would survive that long playing at the present arena. My own guess is that this issue will “die in committee” and the Isles best shot will be a refurbished NVMC financed by Charles Wang with the private bonds backed by the county. The new structure will pay for itself with a combination of money making properties in the vacinity and more “dark dates” filled with other events. A sort of mini Lighthouse, which will seem like a good compromise by the present opponents of the LH and a win over the casino plan.
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Bryan says:
I personally love this b/c all the TOH freaks get exactly what they deserve for killing the Lighthouse. Hey Katie, A 100 ft lighthouse is looking pretty good right about now huh? That’s what you get for supporting to keep it an abandon lot
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
I am trying to look at this situation through the eyes of the Al D’Amato/Mondello/Kate Murray cabal – I would wonder if they are happy with this development? The T.O.H. is CUT OUT of this deal.
I don’t know why this cabal is so interested in converting this property into a white elephant which is also unoccupied…..
The question I have – is the Casino deal more or less likely to bring Kate Murray back to Wang’s table – and further negotiate the Lighthouse project ? ( i.e. if the TOH version is 50% of Wang’s original vision – would an 80% version fly with both TOH and Wang?)
The key thing – follow the money – AND – follow to see if the Shinnecock Indians hire Armand D’Amato as legal counsel….
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btw, i wouldn’t say that the neighborhood around fordham is that bad.
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Brian G says:
First off you need to be 21 to Gamble and 90% of all college students are under that age…So the Hofstra admin arguement isn’t that good.
The proposal as a whole is do-able, as long as it is not as big as the Mini-City Wang wants…..I have only went to the Mohegan Sun 4 times and if they can make the facility something like that, it would be very respectable….also a makeover of that 2 mile strip on Hempstead Turnpike would help. Wang should do whatever he can to get something going ASAP instead of sitting on his hands crying that cannot have an overpopulated Mini-City in that area, time to switch gears and move on ….or just sell the team….time to get some answers for the fans!! if no answers are given before the start of the season expect the attendence to continue to be 6,000 per game – everyone is fed up.
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Garver says:
Maybe Wang should hire Morey and CB to lobby and do PR for a good deal for the Islanders. I doubt he has any other ideas.
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Kallur says:
CB: why don’t we take a poll? Let’s see right here in this thread – who is in favor of the casino plan and who is not.
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UIF says:
Hard to believe the worst idea out there for this piece of land is gaining the most traction.
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JimfromStJames says:
I can catch a bus from any parking lot on LI to AC, catch a Ferry to CT for $20 (including the bus ride) Play OTB, Lotto, Online Poker, heck even Powerball, I know guys that dump tons of money on Football Pools…What are they so worried about.
Ever walk through Penn station on a Friday Night around 1am? It is full ( packed ) with highschool kids from LI who hop the train to hang out in the city. The NIMBY’s have no clue what their kids are up to, and
their worried about a casino?I think the people in Nassau must like paying 35,000 a year in Prop taxes, and I an convinced that Kate & friends are determined to hand that land over to a Builder that plays the political game better than Wang. (or at least a major contributor to the party-wink-wink, know what i mean…)
Mark my words, that parking lot will become the biggest over 50 Condo complex in the world, and will generate less tax revenue than a strip mall.
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admin says:
(22) I disagree, UIF. Other than the County Exec putting it on the table, I don’t think it’s gotten much traction at all in terms of public opinion…CB
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Thanks for the clarification CB. My bad, I misread this from Newsday following the comments by Bettman:
Responding to Bettman, Kate Murray, the Town of Hempstead supervisor, said in a statement: “We are on track to present and consider a dynamic zone for the property surrounding the Nassau Coliseum to the Hempstead Town Board in an upcoming June meeting. I hope that Mr. Wang will take advantage of my invitation to come in and review the proposed zone.”
I hope Wang at least shows up so there is a chance dialogue between the two can sides can be restored.
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admin says:
(21) Good idea, Kallur. It looks like many already have, but please vote yea or nay on the casino idea and – if you’d like – share your reasons why – in this thread. Thank you! CB
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Andre Legault says:
Yes
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billy carrol says:
Casinos ruin everywhere and anywhere they go, just like the cruise ship industry, and for the same reasons: low wages, and riff-raff.
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Ian says:
I don’t buy that the project would alleviate traffic problems. Even if you build a transportation hub, convincing Long Islanders to use mass transportation to go to Uniondale won’t happen, and the disruption while building it? Forget it.
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Seth D says:
I don’t think it matters. No one supports the Islanders as it is–their league low attendance figures is proof of that–and if there’s another distraction, well…just face it, the NHL is better served by putting the team in Hartford, CT.
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drive45 says:
Put me down for yes. I live 2 miles from the coliseum. the idea that a casino will make the area more of a slum is ridiculous.
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Rob (Isles fan in Pgh) says:
As an Isles fan I’m very interested in this. But as someone who moved to Pittsburgh a long time ago I have the perspective of following similar events here.
It hardly needs to be mentioned that the Pens were in serious trouble before the new arena plan and now they’re back on top.
But separately, Pittsburgh (and PA) have recently been licensing casinos with those vying for the local license(s) promising contributions to the Penguins arena effort as incentive. From what I’ve read, the casino monies promised to the Pens have fallen significantly short in reality. But the Pens don’t appear to be suffering for that.
On the other hand, we now have a large casino right next door to Heinz Field on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The area is cleaner than it was before the casino was there. There are new restaurants for those who don’t like gambling. There are bike and walking trails past there that are kept up nicer than ever (it is along the river). I’m not a gambler but I have nothing bad to say about the casino’s effect on the area.
(If anything, I think banking your future on revenues from a new casino is a very bad idea but building a new casino is perfectly fine.)I’m in favor of this plan. But I’m in favor of almost any plan that stabilizes the Isles.
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JT says:
Yes. But it would nice if Wang said what he thinks of the casino, how he is going to improve the team or at least say something.
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BIG YES! With all the other locations clamoring for an NHL franchise, It would be devistating if we drop the ball & let the Islanders slip away. GET SOMETHING DONE ALREADY!!!!!. WE GOT TO THE MOON FASTER THAN THIS SITUATION WAS RESOLVED!!!
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BanGarth says:
I am a Manhasset resident and a die hard Isle fan , so i would do basically anything to keep this team here and bring them back to prominence. I would be all for a casino ecspecially since the economy on LI is getting worse by the minute and anything to stimulate should be done asap , but the sad truth is there are too many people with political influence in the surrounding areas that would shoot it down. Garden City residents would never let it happen and that is sad becasue it could be great for the county and the economy.
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Jay says:
I think a casino would be good for many reasons. The tax revenue alone would be huge, help offset rising property tax, etc… If it is built with the intention of the team staying, visitors might take in a game, so that would add revenue. I do not know if a casino will help the team in anyway, but I do think it will help the county.
Mass transit will not help the attendance. Why would I go to a game because the seats are cushiony, mass transit, fancier building, etc… It is because the $100 I spend on a ticket is money well spent, the team is GOOD. Suppose some of the board members for the TOH are Islander fans, does anyone really think they would approve a real estate deal to keep a team that is being run into the ground alive??
I read a lot of hockey blogs and think this column happens to be very good one. I am a hockey fan and enjoy what Chris Botta writes. Personally, I hope the team stays and becomes relevant. There has been too many poor decisions and a real unprofessional approach by the management. The team does well, the building sells out, look at the final five games this year. The team is strung up by ridiculous trades and contract signings. management continues to stand by them and any casual fan of sports can see the inanity of it. -
Gloobenberg says:
Yes. Do it. Now.
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Dmoney says:
YES!!! Need to start working on it asap…..time is not on our side. Isles need to stay on Long Island, were they belong.
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Chris says:
Nassau really doesnt seen to care. Wang has 3 other options to keep the team in NY… Suffolk ( old pilgrim state site); Queens near CitiField, and Barclays Center in Bklyn. Wang needs to do something soon to be ready for 2015 or its “Kansas City here I come”. He cant let TOH sit on this forever…..
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A Casino is not a bad idea. If we are looking for the “perfect” situation, nothing will ever happen on that site. In my opinion, more good than bad will happen with an upscale casino complex. The county needs revenue, and this would be the best way to get it, while discounting the elected trash we have in the T.O.H. I just don’t get why the idiots at T.O.H. were so opposed to the Lighthouse in the first place, especially since it had a 90% approval from the people of Hempstead, except maybe the ones that line their pockets. Maybe clearer minds can prevail, and we could have say 65% of the lighthouse, keep our beloved franchise here, and live happily ever after….
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L.J. says:
I am all for whatever project/agreement keeps the Islanders on Long Island or the New York Metro area. If this is it, then I vote Yes. I am really tired of being yanked back and forth by politicians and ownership about the future of this team. I just want stability.
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JT says:
I’d prefer the LHP, but I support this as the only other viable way to keep the Islanders in Nassau County. This is a way to achieve the goals of building a true “destination” for entertainment, sports, and cultural activities, while keep the team where it belongs. For those of you who are upset by this, you can blame Kate Murray. This would never have been proposed without her staunch and unreasonable opposition to the LHP from Day 1.
If you build it, they will come. -
Yes. Generates $$$, jobs, something to draw people to the area, more jobs, and keeps the Islanders here.
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Steve says:
I would have preferred the original LH plan but if this plan keeps the Islanders here I am behind it. My only negatives are in the past casinos only existed on reservations or AC or Vegas. Now we will have a future racino in Aqueduct and one currently in Yonkers and casinos in nearby PA and obviously AC. With all these places competing for gambling dollars, you wonder if it can be profitable here on LI. I understand that the tribe can build without zoning approvals but does that preclude the usual environmental lawsuits that would be sure to come up and delay the project. There are a lot of questions to be answered considering Gary Bettman wants an answer to the arena situation roughly a year from now.
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Petey Pete says:
This article actually went a long way in convincing me that maybe a casino isn’t so bad. Well done.
That said, I still have reservations (no pun intended). I want the Isles to get a brand new arena and the 5 mile radius around it to be pristine. I don’t want the area to turn into off-the-Boardwalk Atlantic City.
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isles316 says:
There are too many Casino’s and another one would hurt that industry even more. Foxwoods and Moheagan have already cut staff. I’m not an expert on any of this but that’s what I hear when I go to Moheagan once a year. The Lighthouse project is more based on creating a community while contributing to the community that already exists. A casino is a cash grab for a county that has no interest in doing whats right for it’s residents. Can’t say I want to see this happen.
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Nick says:
I am in favor of doing whatever it takes to keep the Islanders on Long Island. There may not be many more worthwhile ideas after this one, so I vote a big YES for the casino.
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lyle says:
YEA!!!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO ISLES BRING DA CASINO!!!!!!!!!
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What the heck, I’ll vote “yes” if it means the Isles stay. I don’t live on Long Island anymore, so it won’t impact my daily life in the slightest. But really…there’s not enough room in this comment space to say how laughably bad I think the idea is.
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John Keitz says:
Billy Carrol: I’m sorry, but your assertion is dead wrong. Growing up on Long Island, I was well aware of the damage that Atlantic City did in their casino push, but then I moved to Nevada where casinos are an asset to their communities. I suggest you visit Reno to change your mind on this. Everyone thinks of the grand Vegas casinos, and they have contributed to the city immensely, but Reno is actually a great place to live, and the casinos are a big part of that. They provide top notch restaurants in cities where you wouldn’t normally have that. They bring in major festivals that you wouldn’t otherwise have. In Reno, they provide completely free parking (even if you park and leave). This is great for us when we go to Reno Bighorns (NBA D-League) or Reno Aces (AAA Pacific Coast League) games. Imagine if you could go to Islanders games and have free parking? Now, I know they charge for parking in Atlantic City, which is a big mistake. Maybe this casino will follow our model.
The Nevada casinos bring huge tax monies into our communities too. As a teacher, I really appreciate their assistance in paying for education in our state. Yep, we have no income taxes, no corporate income taxes, and our sales tax rate is slightly lower than yours.
People on the east coast tend to equate casinos with crime, but it is the opposite here. You are safer on the Las Vegas Strip than pretty much anywhere in the country. The casinos have EVERYTHING under surveillance. Now, I hate the way the government does that in the UK, but this is privately done, and they do an excellent job.
Finally, if you are worried about the proximity of Hofstra to the new casino, just remember that the University of Nevada Reno is just as close to downtown Reno (its about a mile north on Virginia Street), and they have no particular problems with student gambling. For the most part, aside from the sports betting that your students are already doing in the dorm rooms, the students largely ignore downtown. Also, it provides employment opportunities for students (think valet parking).
Whenever we have any kind of charity event for our town or schools, the casinos are extremely generous in providing all sorts of things for us to raffle/auction off.
I am more than happy to have our casinos as neighbors here in Nevada.
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jeff says:
I vote yes.. and a direct subway line from the city as well. There is no moral high ground anymore, just survival of this team and the prosperity of this town. In 10 years there will be a casino here because it makes economic sense. Lets get it now and save our team at the same time
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bob l says:
having a place to gamble after soaking in some suds during an isles game sounds like a great fn weekend to me, i’d much rather that drive back to jersey was in the morning than at 1030 at night anyway.
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Ed from Hemostead says:
I hearby promise to vote YEA and support the cause any way I can as soon as Charles Wang goes public with his wishes and plans for the team and promises to spend over the salary cap floor.
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Lav says:
It’s too bad H.I. and Point Blank are the only two Islanders blogs with a lot of readers that do much in support of a new Coliseum.
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isles80 says:
I vote no. Like CB wrote, Wang has owned the team for 11 years. I stopped giving him the benefit of the doubt when he hired a GM with no experience.
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Mark says:
YES.
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BryanG says:
YAY.
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Mario says:
Like others said, I want to hear from Wang. I give a hesitant yes.
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Volek says:
Thanks to CB and especially Jed Morey for bringing this topic up. Other than the Newsday Cablevision slanted stuff, I haven’t read anything about this in about a year. Yes.
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dose says:
Wow. Awesome piece by this gentleman. It would be hard to dispute his points in any substantive way. Aside from opposition to gambling in any form in any venue based on sincere moral or religious grounds, I just can’t see meaningful, legitimate argument except that based on greed and rife with hypocrisy. But the assembly of NIMBY’s and “pusillanimous,” with the shadowy, nefarious cabal of characters lurking behind them with palms open, will oppose a miracle-cure cancer center at the site if that is proposed.
(My brother was a DJ – I believe the youngest ever on a big market radio station – on the original WLIR-FM in the early-mid 70′s. I also miss that ‘legendary’ and groungbreaking 92.7)
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WavepooL says:
YEA! Better than having a casino in Hampton Bays. Lets be real the area is not aesthetically pleasing in the least, its a bunch of run down strip malls with a run down arena and a big ugly parking lot surrounded by clogged highways. Build the casino (have you seen these things these days?), build the rails (its unbelievable and unacceptable that you can’t catch a train to see a concert or a game, the revenue that a rail line off the LIRR to the area would pay for itself), fix/build the arena (If the Islanders do leave NVMC and the surrounding area will turn into a DUMP, most people would say it already is), plant some trees, build some fountains, build the outdoor ice rink, invest in the future. Wang’s lighthouse plans looked amazing, amend the plan to include the casino and get as much of it done as you can. There is a reason I being in my mid twenty’s no longer lives on Long Island. It’s because of stagnation of progress. All you see is aging strip malls that were the product of a horribly failed experiment called suburbia.The biggest challenge of this era for Long Island will be repairing the damage cause by the suburban sprawl, this was the epicenter after all (Levitown). Lets get some jobs going and making this concrete jungle beautiful again, not let it rot in a sea of politics and inaction.
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EricM says:
No, but let’s hope that this ridiculous idea shocks Kate Murray back to the table to negotiate a compromise with Wang on the LHP. There must be something workable between Wang’s proposal and Murray’s.
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Staten Islander says:
I’m in favor of it if it keeps them there. That said, I question weather this would get approved any quicker than the Lighthouse would
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Islesfaninsfl says:
Big yes, casinos r fun, they bringmore then just gambling. If there’s big shows, that draws people aswel. It could b a big win for isles, but I feel its just a ploy to bring kate murry back to the table. I don’t either way, I don’t live on long island anymore, but something needs to get donesoon!
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I vote yes if it’s a first class facility and traffic can be managed. Not only a win for the Islanders, but would mean more sustained revenues and jobs for the County. Just work with Hofstra and show them the money (some money goes into an endowment etc.) and that problem is solved. The big question is what would be in it for Wang to make it “work” for him.
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Winning says:
Even if they build a casino, we wont see it, or the new coliseum for 5 to 8 years. Will tavares want to play on the lowest payrolled hockey team another 8 years? Or will he want to be traded to a NHL team.
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TimQ says:
I moved off LI last year so I have less of a stake in this. Uniondale is a hellhole that needs something positive but I would be shocked if the Garden City crowd would ever let this happen
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Tony Stabile says:
Yes. And it has nothing to do with the Islanders.
1. JOBS
2. Money for the County
3. First Class Resturants, Hotel Rooms, and Facilities that you don’t have to drive 2 1/2 hours to get to.
If they can build a Casino next to JFK, there is no reason you can’t build one in Uniondale.
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StevieL says:
I vote yes, but it is never going to happen! Not in the TOH! You don’t think a lawsuit or 2 might be filed by local residents to block it do you?? This would be in court for years and those are years the Isles don’t have. the theory is great, the rev generated is desperately needed, the jobs needed, but this is LI!! major projects don’t get done! LH, Trumps Jones Beach project, Cirro Wire, Pilgrim State development etc. Progress on LI moves at a snails pace That is why Long Island is Dying.
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Fred says:
More than this needs to be done to turn Long Island around. I don’t know if anyone has noticed but Nassau county is turning in to a wasteland. It just doesn’t make sense to live there anymore. I’m 31 years old and now have more friends out of Nassau county then I do inside of Nassau, where we all grew up. By the way, I live in Astoria, Queens now. I would love to move “home” but it just doesn’t make any economical sense and my home situation is a two person income, both professionals and living nicely. Moving there would be like throwing away money for no good reason. Nassau needs money, it needs tax streams from revenue being generated by local business, this Casino will help that and get some trades back to work, who in turn will also be income taxed and pay sales tax on things they buy. It’ll keep the Islanders and get people coming to Nassau instead of leaving, just do it already.
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I’m all for it! I bus up to Mohegan Sun with my dad every now and then and thats a very nice casino if they could build something like that here people would come! Hofstra should welcome this it could create new classes for them such as, Hotel Management and i’m sure the casino would work with them. AND WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO KEEP ISLANDERS HERE! lets do it!
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A Big Yes, Like I said, it is real easy to get to a place to gamble as it is, so why pad the pockets in CT,NY, NV and upstate?
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ODG says:
I say yes! However not to throw cold water on this but: 1)doesn’t this require Fed approval? 2) The WSJ ran a front page report on the economic issues asscoiated with casinos and pointed to the Bethlehem PA casino and how it actually cost the local economy because individuals have only so much disposal income and entertainment $ that would go to movies or dinner etc would be reallocated and the local economy would suffer.
If we get a new NVCM, we need public transportation, otherwise the casino/NVCM would not be viable.
My bet is that Wang/Mangino uses the casino as leverage to negotiate with TOH. Otherwise, he moves to Brooklyn. Remember, the Isles in 2010 were 18th in the league in Operating Income…they can be solid economically and can draw from $3million fans. They are not leaving the metro area.
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Gary says:
While a casino isnt my first choice and i supported the Lighthouse plan( even if they would have scaled it back 20%) it seems like this is the only way to do an end run around the Town of Hempstead and to get a plan that may work to keep the team here-The TOH will not agree to anything that would make the new arena feasible–Therefore cutting them out of the equation is the only answer-In a perfect world, a new arena for the Isles, convention centers, sports complex, casino and other family entertainment(such as the writers great Wolf Lodge mention, which is a GREAT family getaway all year round) would be the next best alternative–Will this scare the TOH to be more reasonable or are they out of this now? The clocks ticking
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Keane says:
Any time I hear an argument about casinos, I hear that they bring crime to the community. Islander fans may find that to be acceptable, but judging from TV numbers and attendance, there aren’t that many Islander fans around. What about those people? And aside from crime, having legalized gambling near a relatively low-income neighborhood seems like a predatory act on an already struggling population. Seems to me like this is a time to educate the public about what bringing a casino in to the area would really mean.
If casinos really do bring in crime, and if we factor in gambling habits among the poor, it should be an absolute last resort. Even then, I think I’m against it.
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Chizzler says:
YES YES YES, whatever it takes. Also casinos are awesome!
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Sorry for the third post, and my tinfoil hat is on, but, does anybody else here think that just maybe the Dolans have something to do with the LHP being blocked?
NO MSG competition for concerts and such
NO more Pricey Cable contract?
NO other Alternative for a young fan just learning to love the game….Just sayin.
I don’t believe that at all. Not only are CW and the Dolans personal friends, they work together on projects…CB
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Eric says:
Absolutely yes. I’ve posted my thoughts on here about the increasingly absurd notion that Nassau County could actually be a place young people would want to live several times before. I’ll reiterate.
The morality concerns regarding a casino, as Mr. Morey points out, are primarily grounded in hypocrisy or self-interest (having nothing to do with actual moral objections). As for the traffic concerns and the public transportation, I find it hard to believe that a project of this scope would obtain financing without there being some municipal commitment to improve rail service directly from NYC.
Let’s build more on Long Island. It’s not like we’re destroying a wetlands preserve. It’s not like the Casino would be an eyesore in the middle of an arboretum. We’re talking about the heart of suburbia, near a major University (which only stands to benefit from having a Casino nearby in the eyes of potential applicants). Let’s make this happen.
Truthfully, I think we all know this won’t happen. But kudos to Mr. Morey, self-interest and all. Very well written. I support it.
I grew up on Long Island but haven’t lived in NY since 2002. I’ll be back for good beginning in August/September. We can’t stand idly by as our infrastructure and opportunities fall by the wayside. Long Island was never and is not now solely a Robert Moses amalgamation of cookie cutter neighborhoods. It is a cultural hub very much separate and distinct from the five boroughs. Ideas like the casino signify only the beginning of the rebirth and rejuvenation of the American suburb. Amen.
End stream of consciousness rant.
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Bob E says:
have no fear, if they cant build an area b/c of traffic problems or fear of urbanization, no one going to pass a Casino.
I’m a huge isles fan but no way i vote yes for casino.
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jisles says:
NO, NO ,NO AND NO!! Why do we always look for a quick fix? Are we to the point where we just reduce everything down to the most common denominator? To me that is what a casino is. As of the most recent census the population of nassau and suffolk county was 2.8 million. Are you really trying to tell me a sports franchise cannot thrive with that many people? The islanders are being used as pawns for every wacky idea, LHP, casino etc…Rather than just plop a casino there how about reforming tax policiies and giving busineses incentives to make thier home here in Long Island. Why cant we turn it into a state of the art medical and technology research complex that will actually create real jobs that actually help people and society!! Using Hofstra as an education base. OH NO! nobody wants that because it is too hard. Just put up a casino. A casino is putting a band aid on an open flesh wound. Yeah you stop the bleeding but eventually your right back at square one. Ask any local community that has buitl casinos and they are money losers not makers. Isnt the lottery suppossed to help our schools? I just got the budget proposal for my district and they want 203 million for next year a 3.5% increase from last. Where is that lottery money? And dont get me started on Unions. yes all the workers will be unionized you can bet that and when prices get too steep to keep up with union payouts customers will be lost and casino goers will start going elsewhere for their gaming fun and what are we left with? NADA. Lets come up with real solutions that everybody can get on board with this is america we can do anything if we put our minds to it, (BTW the LHP was not a real solution it was a pipe dream of wang)
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Mark from Massapequa says:
i vote YES – build something. The surrounding area can only get worse over time. The area needs to be redeveloped with a major public transportation HUB. Whether it be a casino/arena or a scaled down lighthouse project; something needs to be done because the dilapidated property that sits on that site now is a disgrace not only to the franchise but to all those who visit the facility. Has anyone ever been to an Isles sellout? 15k plus trying to navigate one corridor- i am suprised fire marshalls havent shut the place down. its just dangerous. “if you build it; they will come”. “They” will bring money and that is all this debate is about – the almighty dollar. Any new project will create jobs from contractors to executives and everything in between. Long Isalnd needs all the economic help it can get. Redeveloping this land wont alleviate all the economic woes but it certainlly cant make them any worse.
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John Keitz:
Here’s where you’re wrong: Reno and Vegas are all about casinos; that’s what they are there to do and were in the first place. Where casinos kill communities are where — and this is pretty much everywhere else — they are expected to be instant saviors and cure-alls, bringnig in this enormous tax revenue when the record is clear they don’t. They pay awful wages, and those employees are often minorities, their children go to schools that quickly become overwhelmed by the additional students, not simply by additional largely-Spanish-speaking students that require Spanish-speaking teachers. Housing markets takes a hit because these employees, quite understandably, try to put as many people into a house as possible to save money; municipality services get strained, etc., etc. And property taxes never go down — at least not for the little guy. (As for the taxes the casinos pay …) -
Ryan says:
I vote yes, as a Suffolk county resident I wouldn’t mind having it at Levy’s beloved Yaphank site. A casino on Long Island would be an economic boom to either county that builds it and to add a new Coliseum/convention center would just add to that boom.
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sean says:
Whatever gets the islanders a new arena and keeps them on long island I am for it. It’s time to develop that eye sore of a site and the surrounding area enough bs already with opposition to everything that is proposed, just build now.
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Blizzard says: If building a casino facilitates the Islanders staying put im all for it. I just can never see it happening. Not at the current site. Surprisingly I can see it in Suffolk county before Nassau.
Nassau county is so disfunctional as one of the riched counties in the country. The population coupled with the tax rate is unreal for a broke county. So plop down a casino? That isnt addressing the problem. I hate to say it but Nassau actually deserves to lose the Islanders.
Growth is in Suffolk county now. I say Suffolk should court Wang, give him what ever he wants and lets keep the Islanders on Long Island. Let the TOH become even more a symbol of the corrupt disfunctioning local government that represents it.
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Yes, like I said earlier, whatever it takes. I don’t mind the Isles moving if they stay local, but there is no guarantee of that happeneing if they do. I don’t want to take that chance.
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vrinqueens says:
It’s a pipe dream,there won’t be any Casino built on L.I.,Wang really can’t/won’t afford the upkeep of a major league team. They’re only chance at survival is a move to Brooklyn or Queens.
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jt says:
Yes…The Nassau Economy needs this. Jobs and Tax Revenue. This is the shot in the arm that the county needs. As for #28 Billy Carrol, Las Vegas was the fastest growing City in the US until the economy collapsed. Long Island can definitely use it. As for Hofstra, as I student there I took many a trip to A/C. It would probably have been much safer taking a trip down the block instead of the 9pm-12am drive down, then a couple hours of gambling before coming back and driving from 2-5am. As long as the kids don’t use money they don’t have they will be fine.
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KLANN says:
Build Something
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Jester1369 says:
When I was in College, I barely had enough money for the cheapest beer known to man (thank you Nauti Ice). I lived on that stuff and Ramen Noodles (back then, 7 packs for a buck). I hadn’t the time, nor the money to go gambling.
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CG says:
I was huge supporter of the lighthouse. Its easy to say whatever it takes to keep Isles. But as Nassau County resident, I would not support a casino and the chance of it happening is just about zero. So if this is the last hope, then we are in trouble.
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At this point, I don’t just want to keep the Isles here. That’s priority number one, of course. But I want something that’ll keep the Islanders on Long Island AND royally piss off that bastion of pure evil, Kate Murray, and if this casino can do that, then by god I’m for it.
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i’d vote yes if it meant the islanders could play in a state of the art arena in nassau county, but do i BELIEVE that a casino will be built in that location? absolutely not. it won’t take long for the fear mongerers to drum up some opposition forces on this one!! pipe dreams !!
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Chris says:
Build it and I will come!
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Steve M says: YES! I love my Islanders and I want them to stay no matter how much it takes. I agree with the points #70 made as well.
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doc says:
In Bethlehem PA there’s a new Indian reservation/Sands Casino located at the old Bethlehem Steel factory just minutes from the downtown area and also within 2 minutes of Lehigh University and other colleges. The place is run 1st class and as far as I know, there aren’t any real issues with the neighboring communities and schools.
People don’t become gambling addicts because there’s a casino in their backyard the same way most people don’t become alcoholics because you can legally buy alcohol at the grocery store.
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So What says:
Wait a minute… Nassau won’t let Wang build a 40-story lighthouse, but they will let him build a casino?
Hmm… Not Likely.
Actually, reconsidered, there are enough sleazy politicians in Nassau, and there would be plenty of cash around to appease their appetites for things like kickbacks and other wheel-greasing under the table. So, I retract that first statement.
Who knows? It might actually happen. It would hasten the transformation of Nassau into queens by at least tenfold. But things like that don’t seem to stop many motivated people with deep pockets these days. Its not like it would have anything to do with Hockey.
At the end of it all I’m glad that after so many years I just stopped giving a damn a couple of seasons ago. Its much more fun to watch this circus bounce around from the un-vested and not concerned with side of the fence, believe me.
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corey says: can we just get a new arena right where it is any nothing else? Not a fan of a casino going there, and comment 13 is right. casinos draw trash
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Even though I’m not a resident of Long Island … I’ve been there 100′s if not closer to a thousand times. Why have I been there so much? Well … because there have been lots of reasons to go. Family, Concerts, Islanders, Beaches, Friends, School and playing hockey. Heck, I even got my dog at the North Shore Animal League way back in the 80s.
I live in NJ now, but have spent 35 years of my life living on Staten Island … so either way, I’ve always had Atlantic City in my sites for gaming options. I’m not a big gambler anyway … but when in Rome (AC or LV) … I do allow myself a bit of fun. The same would be true if a casino occupied a portion of the NVMC site. I wouldn’t go to a casino at the NVMC site just to gamble because of my closer proximity to AC, but I definitely would go there around an Islander game or an event like the draft party or concert.
I can honestly say that I probably would be more indifferent about a casino in Nassau county if the Islanders weren’t a part of the equation. I’d feel it was a decision for New Yorker’s and Long Islanders to debate. However, since we are being honest here. I’d also see the benefits of one that would initiate an economic boom to the area, along with the surrounding revitalization of the commercial, residential and municipal properties that would go along with such a boom.
A gambling facility doesn’t mean it would turn into an AC or LV … It would be up to Long Islanders and the Shinnecock Nation to establish the mix of cultural identity of Long Islanders and the Shinnecock Nation to define the site’s asthetics and identity.
Well, since we’re asking, for myself I’d like to see more of a resort like atmosphere there … Like Orlando’s International Drive area, as part of the revitalization. Perhaps maybe something like Myrtle Beach’s Broadway at the Beach?
Surrounding the site with Shinnecock themed shows and stores. A medival times version of a show that highlights the culture of Long Island’s history … aerospace, whaling, suburbia, resorts, etc. Create a light rail system (monorail like at airports) that would ferry people / tourists to local venues like Dave and Busters, LIRR … maybe even more long range like Jones Beach.
I’ll let Long Islanders decide. I’m just saying … The Casino and the Coliseum would just be the main attraction … however you need to have other things like water parks, convention centers, all season activities.
I’m not sure how a similar idea to the Xanadu at NJ’s Meadowland’s sports complex would fit the NVMC site because it’s been stalled numerous times. It’s actually butt ugly, but I’m sure LI could do better. Perhaps less of a mall, and more like a theme park indoors (Winter water park, golf etc.)
Again, I’ll let Long Islanders figure that part out.
Bottom line … something has to be done. The status quo is not a solution. I’m a visionary … and full of thousands of ideas … maybe only a handful of them would be fruitful, but the best way to figure out what works is to get working on weeding out the ones that don’t fit.
Thanks CB for sharing this … and thank you Jed for setting up a good debate.
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yea!
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Battfist says:
Yes.
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Strummer's Army says:
I CAN ONLY COMMENT AS A NON-RESIDENT OF LONG ISLAND.
I do believe from Vegas and Atlantic City that a seedy element always follows gambling. Prostituton and other criminal elements always targets these places, so I am against gambling and would not want it in my area.
However, LI appears to need the money big time. Kate Murray is an unreasonable person and poor public servant. Anything, that removes that kook from the equation and gets the Isles their building ASAP I am going to support, in the end it may be the best possible solution for LI even if it is not the perfect solution.
I’d also like to say the benefits for Hofstra could be expanded. In Orlando the Rosen family owns many of the best hotels. In order to get the best workers they created a very large endowment to UCF for their hospitality program, new building you name it. Obviously something similar could happen here.
In the end I think all parties should pursue this as hard and fast as they can.
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Mike L says:
As a Hofstra grad and current Law student, I think the university has taken enough money from me where I have nothing left to gamble. The students have dealt with many issues relating to the surrounding area, and it has not stopped students from attending and has not stopped the school’s status from rising. Many professors and students support changing LI for the better, and I’m sure ultimately the administration would support the change as well.
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Islanders1932 says:
We need to do whatever it takes to keep the Islanders here. A casino would make the surrounding area much better as restaurants would want to open as a place to go eat. I will not be allowing my Islanders to leave without a fight.
The only question is, how much longer do we wait before we make a big commotion about something like this? Wait too long and we will lose the Islanders.
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Randy Wood's Porche says:
Absolutely yes, with LIRR stop at the NVMC. Can you imagine the amount of City dwellers taking the LIRR from Penn Sta. to the Casino/NVMC stop, gambling all weekend, staying in the Casino hotel, and then heading back to NYC Sun night/Monday morning?
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JKP on LI says:
Columbia and Fordham are much more prestigious schools than Hofstra. People go to Columbia despite whatever fears they may have of Harlem because it’s a great school that will help you get a good job when you graduate. Schools like Hofstra are a dime a dozen.
I’m fine with the casino project, by the way, but that leg of the argument makes no sense.
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Diane says:
I can’t come up with a good argument against any of the Author’s assertions. If I were a Long Island resident I might vote yes at this point.
The transportation hub assertion is big (in my opinion). -
Mike in Wantagh says:
CB: Is this our last Hope? I vote YES for the Casino of course….but if this does not go through are the Islanders hopes of staying on Long Island officially Dead?
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Rob76 says:
Not only is this a good idea because it will create jobs, but losing the Islanders and the Coliseum will cost many Long Islanders their jobs as well. As a die hard I would probably say yes to any plan that keeps the Isles where they belong. Not in Queens, KC, or even Suffolk County(where i live) – they belong in Uniondale. Yes to Nassau Coli-sino
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Christian says:
YES! Long Island needs to do something to solve its economic issues. Plus the casino can be the jump start needed to develope the rest of the land there and the loop hole Wang needs to do it.
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FourCupsin4Yearsnot60 says:
No. If I wanted my kids to grow up in Vegas or Atlantic City, I would move there. We live in the most expensive county in the country so our children can have a safe environment and good schools, not to have all the vices that surround casino areas thrown in their faces. To say that a “casino would not create a seedy culture” because there are already hookers in New Castle and call girls on Craig’s List, is to ignore reality. Have you been to Atlantic City lately? The calls girls, strip clubs, pawn shops, homeless, addicts and drug dealers are not hiding in industrial areas there, they are front and center. No one takes their kids to Atlantic City, much less lives there with kids, unless they work for the casinos. I’m not naive, and know that Nassau has some of the same problems on a lesser scale. We already have crime, prostitution, a drug and addict problem, sex offenders and gambling here already, but you do not fix these problems by making them worse. Plus, if you put a casino in Nassau, you will have middle class flight like we have never seen before. You think the county budget is bad now? Wait until housing prices in Garden City, Rockville Centre, Bellmore, Muttontown, Williston Park, Baldwin, etc. drop by half because you cant find a middle class family to buy any house that is not a “gated community” for fear of the crime that always accompanies casinos. I could go on and on.
By the way, I am an Islander season ticket holder and would have voted for “Yes” for the Lighthouse, so its not that I am against the Islanders or developing the area, but throwing a casino in the middle of our beautiful suburb is just giving up. The politicians need to find a proper way to fix our budget problems. I vote NO.
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Kbelanger33 says:
They will probably knock everything down and put up section 8 housing. thats whats happening on long island. Keep a coliseum and casino-just no section 8 please
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jim says:
I Vote Yea! I read a statement from Hofstra that said it was a bad idea and it “would cast an economic chill over Nassau”. Yea right like that 20 acres of broken up asphalt is generating lots of revenue. I’m no expert in business but I do know that the casino will be better than a parking lot!
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mrlbem says:
Like it or not,we all have to get behind something that will develop the Coliseum site into some kind of sports/entertainment center. I thought the LHP made more sense, but the Town shot it down and Wang refuses to negotiate. When I think of a casino here, I don’t think of Atlantic City, I think of Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods. If it’s done correctly, it would be wonderful. The poster who brought up the Sands Casino next door to Lehigh University has it right. It does not present a problem. But the important thing is that we need the support for getting something done there. Just saying what you don’t want built there is not a vision. “No” is not a vision. Everyone needs to get behind this. As someone who has a son leaving for college in less than 4 months, I wonder how the last 18 years have gone by so quickly. Well, there’s only 3 1/2 years left on the Coliseum lease. That will go by in a flash.
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Ari (Not Haanpaa) says:
Hey, I endorse it as a Hofstra grad. If you graduate holding a ton of student debt, you could always walk down the turnpike and just let it ride. Plus, I hope the Casino has a good buffet. I’m a sucker for buffets.
As CB pointed out, I remember the days of the Isles on WLIR quite well. Great music and I enjoyed the Isles broadcasts with a normal spot on the dial (sorry Hofstra). It’s a shame WLIR isn’t around anymore, but at least they haven’t screwed up Sirius yet.
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Jack says:
Aside from a new arena, what’s in it for Wang? I don’t see Wang interested in anything that he’s not in complete control of.
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HilbertSnipe says:
All for it. Us Isles fans need to make some noise about this. Sure, we support our club as much as we can but we should take it one step further. It seems like a lot of us (i’m not an exception) are sitting back and waiting for answers. Any suggestions besides putting our butts in the seats of the old barn?
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No. There has to be a better way than just sticking a casino next to an Islanders arena.
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The president of Hofstra used to be one of Wang’s only allies on the Lighthouse project. They also have the partnership on the radio deal. But he is firmly against this so I guess that should tell you all you need to know about the chances of it happening.
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I’m glad we’re talking about this again. Maybe Wang will too.
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Yay for the project and yay to Jed Morey for writing this.
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Isles14 says:
My vote is yes. I don’t see another viable money making plan out there for the arena getting done. And it beats going all the way to Mohegan or Foxwoods or AC. But more importantly. So yes, bring it on.
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(102) You are describing Niagara Falls, Ontario , I don’t want that
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I want the Islanders to stay as much as the rest of the fans on this blog, but I’m really conflicted by all of this. I don’t know why I should support anything that benefits Charles Wang. He may have saved the team 11 years ago, but what has he done for it since besides running it in to the ground. He has treated season ticket holders like me like dirt. He hires the worst and most inexperienced people for top positions. We’re supposed to support the Lighthouse Project or something like this casino deal for his benefit? How can anyone on here, including Chris, think he’s going to be a better owner just because he got his arena?
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Andy says:
Agree with 128. At some point, this became about Charles. The Devils rarely sell out in a great stadium with a team that has had great success over the past 10 years. An arena wont make the Islanders better. In fact, we are a country and county filled with debt: it is questionable that we spend borrowed money on a stadium that probably doesnt correlate with winning. The islanders need to get to the playoffs for a few years before they can think someone would listen. This is a small market; fans are asking the County to spend like a big market. Its reasonable to question that. The owners track record is beyond iffy: his judgement has been awful. So, who would listen to him? Look how the team treats CB?! A rational financial decision would need rational parties at the table. We dont have one..
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Les says:
not for nothing but without chris we would have no idea what the heck is going on with our team. he keeps us fully informed with prospects , trades , the arena situation and basically everything isles . we cant thank you enough.
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valentino says:
I vote YES. As a former hempstead resident, I decided to pick up and move to suffolk county. Nassau county is a sinking ship. Politicians should be thrown out on the streets since they have no interest in working for the people. They think its the other way around unfortunately. Closed minded thinking is not going to fix what ails long island. Long Island needs revenue streams. Long Island needs to get with the times. Long Island does nothing for the future generations and because of that, will have no future itself.
Save Long Island. Save the Islanders. -
Nyifan11 says:
I agree with #19. the legal gambling age is 21 so the college students shouldn’t be at a casino in the first place – with good security you cyan contain that to an extent.
It would be nice to have an entertainment venue in the area with good restaurants, shows, etc.
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if the isles would have a brand new state of the art arena ( not update the nvmc) and there would be a brand new lirr train station that lets off in front of the NEW nassau coliseum as well as the new casino then i vote a big YES. however i dont see it happening. while it makes 100 per cent sense and i prefer this over wangs lighthouse fantasy, i think there will be so much debate, opposition, years of zoning variances that have to be filed and studied and law suits ( some just from other indian tribes) like the ones when the catskills wanted to build a new casino recently that a judge ruled against building casinos in the catskills, that i just dont see it happenining. it would take as long as we have to suffer with d.p.( at least another 10 years) before all this would be resolved. i rather see the isles move to queens so then they would get the respect they deserve, not to mention i would be able to listen to them on a real radio station and it would drive the rags crazy since dolan is dead against the isles moving to queens for obvious reasons.
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Tom D in NJ says:
I’m for anything that keeps the Isles from moving any further than the 40 miles they are from my NJ home.
My question is: Can the Isles survive by simply playing in a new state of the art arena and by putting a respectable team on the Ice? -
NY711ot says:
Well done well written and a resounding yay.
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Yes! as long as they keep the Chipotle across the street! Quite the pregame meal
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Andy, formerly of Long Island says:
Sorry folks, but this is a terrible decision for a short list of reasons:
1st: If the property is sold to the Shinnecock, its theirs and probably off the Nassau County tax roles forever because native american tribes enjoy a measure of autonomy.
2nd. Assuming its off the tax roles, that means that Nassau patches a budget hole this year. What about next year and the year after that, etc? What’s the next one-time budget gimmick?
3rd. Nassau’s tax base is eroding because nobody who grows up there can really afford to live there. There’s precious little GOOD affordable housing in Nassau, save for the medium density developments on the old Roosevelt Raceway site. A casino doesn’t address this problem at all. In fact, it exacerbates it because now there’s one less tract available for that housing.
4. What people think the casino will bring is people from out of town. Say what? The Atlantic City casinos are crumbing. Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are struggling too. Everyone sees casinos as some magic elixir that cures all.
It really isn’t. The more there is gambling everywhere, the less important it is in any one location. People from Manhattan aren’t going to come to Nassau to gamble. There’s too much to do in Manhattan. All the casinos will do is suck revenue from other Long Island businesses.
Lastly: if the Town of Hempstead is worried about traffic in and around the Coliseum site and whether Nassau infrastructure can handle the mixed-use concepts advanced by Wang and Reckson, how is a casino really better and for whom?
I love the Islanders and I love the place where I grew up, but this proposal doesn’t really help anybody except maybe the Shinnecock.
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Jzimm says:
My biggest problem in all of this is, “College Kids.” – They’re adults, are they not? Now I know it’s not your term, Chris, but my poing is this, and I’m sure you’ll agree, that if they’re of age, it’s their choice of whether or not they want to gamble. There has to come appoint when we stop “Worrying about our children” and realize that “College kids” aren’t kids and they aren’t children. Put the Casino there. It’s not like it’s being planted opposite a high school, elementary school, or middle school. The only schools [that I'm aware of] in that vacinity are NCC and Hofstra. Two institutions that should inhabit adults of sound mind. Hofstra’s got their tuition money from these folks, what do they care? I think Hoftra’s opposition to this is silly.
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That whole area is a dump, besides the colleges you walk down the street and there is nothing good to say about it. I don’t know why people are talking about preserving there suburbia, there is nothing there to preserve. People have to get there head out of there a** and realize that this can benefit the area and help nassau county. I was all for the lighthouse but that moron in toh did a good job putting it to nothing. I seriously hope they build a casino to stick up where the sun don’t shine.
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TM says:
I bet this NEVER happens. Pun intended. Nassau and TOH are much too uptight and corrupt to pass this. Just end this and any other colossal waste of time on LI and move NYI to Queens.
That said, I vote YES.
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Justin says:
I agree with 128,129. Wang is the sinking ship here….I vote no.
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Fred says:
despite Wang, my vote is yes.
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Being against this idea simply because you don’t like the owner is extremely shortsighted. He ain’t gonna own the team forever, people.
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gary says:
I would still want Wang out if the Islanders win a cup in the next few years. But I’m voting to support this and I live in East Meadow. I’m not thinking about Wang when I say we should support this casino and new coliseum idea. I’m thinking about the Islanders. Maybe if he gets the arena, Wang will finally be in position to sell and leave all of us alone. My vote is for the future of my team and not the man who has held it hostage for a long time. Thoughts?
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patrick says:
No to the casino. I think Wang is so quiet because he is working behind the scenes with Mangano on this. I don’t trust him and this area does not need a casino. No. No. No. No. No.
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Bruce says:
Pretty split decision. Since the response on PB is I assume 99% big Islander fans, tough to see how this idea gets approved. Yes from me.
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rob says:
I agree with 144. Forget Wang. Support the Islanders. This project could be very good for the reasons Jed Morey stated. Yes.
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Tim says:
TM #141 Until the Mets stuff gets worked out, I don’t think Queens is an option.
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MarioGazz says:
My vote would be YES. Coming from Ct it would give me added incentive to stay. Will Bettman let this happen??
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Joe says:
CB has said for a long time that the Islanders will stay. The casino idea is probably our last hope and maybe our best hope because it does not include Kate Murray. If this doesn’t pan out, CB is gonna look stupid and the Islanders will be gone.
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By the way, in A/C the legal gambling age is 21. In NY it appears to be 18, but I am sure they can pass a law to make it 21 at the casino’s and keep 18 for Lotto. That would make it mostly Seniors and Grad Students that would be in line to be able to gamble, for what its worth.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Putting a casino or a huge development isn’t going to amke me to go more or less games. Putting a winning product on the ice and pricing tickets accordingly will make me to go to more games. Look at what happened when the team had a very good second half of the season with discounted tickets. We had decent crowds and better yet we had fun hockey to watch. Keep that up for a full season and watch the crowds roll in. They won’t be going because they can place bets on red or black or so they can let it ride. They want a winning team. Rennovate the building (new seats, widen the concourses, HUGE incentives for season ticket holders, etc) and build bar and restaurants around the building. Make these bars and restaurants attractive all year so we don’t need an event at the coliseum just to go there. And lastly pay tribute to the legends of this team and give them the proper respect they deserve. No to the casino, no to the huge lighthouse project, and YES to a winning team with with scaled back development.
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mike says:
The Islanders should let us know if they think the casino plan is the way to go. Then as Islanders fans we can individually decide whether or not to support it.
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MN says:
Yes. As much as I’m not a big fan of a casino here, nothing ever gets done on Long Island anymore. As a full-fledged Lighthouse supported who was very upset when the ToH killed it, I’ll take the casino. Bring jobs, revenue, keeps the Isles here and it gives the NIMBYs who didn’t want the apartments, parks, and office space with the Lighthouse what they deserved.
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The casino isn’t intended to attract anyone to go to more games (153). The idea is to build something that will make money which will be used to fund a new or “renovated” coliseum.
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mt275 says:
I can picture parents dropping their kids off to the hockey games while they gamble in the casino.
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Dan says:
Something will get built at the sight, but it will not be a casino.
Mangano is just talking out his mouth to get something done. I highly doubt this would ever get done.
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O and people on long island gamble. THey just go to another place to waste their money. Why should they do that? Keep the money on Long Island and some of it will go to the county.
Just thought I would say that although I still believe a casino idea is a huge joke and has less than a 0% chance of happening.
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admin says:
Thank you so much for the incredible response to this story and others during the quiet days of spring.
Just as a reminder, we’re not going to allow personal and profane attacks on politicians (or anyone else). There were 4 or 5 good responses I had to get rid of because of nasty and/or vile name-calling and, in one case, suggested violence. So please.
(151) Joe: Me looking stupid is a daily, if not hourly occurance.
And as much as I agree with TM that Queens is an attractive option, I don’t believe it’s very viable right now and the Islanders don’t have a lot of time left.
Thanks again…CB
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CB – Yesterday, Crain’s said the DOT approved 2 ramps for the Van Wyck making Willet’s Point 1 step closer and more viable. New RFP’s might be accepted. Maybe Wang could apply. Couldn’t NYI just extend the NVMC lease in 1 year segments after 2015 until Queens is settled or something similar so time isn’t a factor?
Tim – The Mets might not take that long plus Nelson Peltz might step up for NYI or even Trump was mentioned to help Mets so ya never know, someone besides Wilpon might be involved.
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OJK says:
As an Engineer and someone who always wants to live on Long Island for the next 42 years, as I have for the past 42 years I just don’t understand why there is no leadership that understands buliding and sustaining a Society entails “Building”. The realistic frightening reality of future Long Island is very close if something isn’t done, if the mentaility of sleepwalking / sleepliving doesn’t change.
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mht says:
Absolutely NO !! I agree with poster 137 completely.What happens in 10-15 years when our Federal government fully legalizes internet on line gambling.Go to Europe right now and you can place a wager on any sporting event on your computer,or smartphone.It is inevitable it will come here.Add in the thought that Aqueduct,Yonkers {Plus some other locations in or near the Hamptons] will be fully operable casinos,this region will saturated with gaming establishments.Gov. Christie may have to bail out gaming establishments in Atlantic City.NYC Off Track Betting has gone Bankrupt.Please bring some semblance of the Lighthouse with Convention Center facilities. IT would be a better choice in the long run for all concerned.
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ASL says:
Hey Kate…
Since your sole purpose (and that of every politician) is to get re-elected… What would your constituents want to see more? The Lighthouse Project, or a Casino? You can “bet” that if you do not support the Lighthouse, then your next opponent will. I for one will contribute my time and money to his/her campaign. -
Joe says:
Chris, thank you for your hard work. I am for it but don’t live in the area. It just seems nothing will ever get approved. This reminds me of the que/col situation on how the team was a joke for a while, moves then wins the cup. Hopefully im dead wrong but have a real bad feeling about this.
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Those making a comparisson with New Jersey’s Atlantic City … That is a very very poor example. Have you seen Atlantic City before gambling? It was a run down resort ghost town. Every part of AC was similar to the outskirts of AC. It was a town dying on the vine. AC’s casino districts are really the only half way decent parts of AC … almost like the game Monopoly itself … those closest to the Boardwalk are the most safe and desirable… Not to say that AC is a walk in the park. It has it’s problems just like any large town or small city. Most of those problems are very similar to those of districts within the Town of Hempstead itself. All those murders on LI near the Nassau / Suffolk border by that Craig’s List serial killer. So a casino will bring in prostitution? Heck … It’s obviously already in LI. Can’t be naive about that … or drugs … or organized crime. What LI & US gov’t does have the power to do at the start is prevent it from getting started at the NVMC site.
How do you think that makes people of S. Jersey feel about Long Island? They probably look at what they see about LI on the news lately, and see it as a derelict city like Camden, Trenton or Newark.
Be very careful about distinguishing judgement based on stereotypes. Atlantic City’s biggest problems are mostly do to local corruption and mismanagement by government officials. Not much difference between AC and NY’s suburbs … I’m not saying a casino is the answer to the problems. What I am saying is that a casino isn’t going to bring in new problems. You guys have had those problems for a long time now You need to consider the new problems of the last decade … deteriorating infrastructure, businesses leaving, young talent leaving and unemployment.
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Isles Hostage says:
Careful, if we build casinos and there is smoking within, Spitzer could become governor, and that means prison overcrowding, families ruined and people disappearing into internment camps…..please don’t smoke. It could happen.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
Someone please enlighten me. I was at Citifield yesterday. It is surrounded by the GCP to the west, Whitestone Expressway to the north, Tennis Center to the south, and chop shops to the east. The rest of the area is for parking. Where is an arena going to be built?
As one who lives nearby the NVOCC I’m dead against the casino. First of all, the term “minor for hooking” will take on a whole new meaning.
And from a personal view, I don’t want anything this uncertain “gambling” with the hard earned property value of my home!
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Jim says:
Something has to be done TOH is in desparate help for tax revenue. Just look at the vacant properties in just a one half mile, K-Mart, Waldbaums, Country Ford and what was the Jewish center (now torn down) that is alot of vacancies in a small section of Hempstead Tpke. If they build a casino this will help bring more people to the area and help our tax revenue. One probably has nothing to do with the other but Yes to a Casino!
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Hi Chris,
Can you please explain this, why don’t the Isles have time to explore Queens?
Thanks!“And as much as I agree with TM that Queens is an attractive option, I don’t believe it’s very viable right now and the Islanders don’t have a lot of time left.”
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Islanderfan19 says:
169
Queens is not an option because that would have to be partially funded by the Wilpons (Owner of the New York Mets) because they wanted to do something in the willets point district and a new arena would have been one of the new attractions there
Willets point is fighting that idea and the Wilpons are currently financially unstable and are trying to sell off part of the Mets…so therefore its not viable for them to attempt to fund a project in the Willets point district
There’s no where for the islanders to go in the city and with only 4 years now left on the lease they need to look into every possible option that will get them a new arena and that’s why this Casino idea might be a make or break for the Islanders staying in Nassau County
PS. Don’t rule out something in Suffolk county…The Indian tribe could work out something that way and that could result in Wang looking to build his Arena on their land
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YES.
I dont think its the best idea thats been presented thus far, but if it has the path of least resistance let’s follow it.
I was all for the lighthouse version 1.00
But I will settle for anything that retains the islanders, comes with a new arena, grows the area, and stimulates Long Island’s economy.
“JUST BUILD IT”
(whatever ‘it’ may be)
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Stumpy32 says:
Selfishly, I want the Isles to stay without much concern about how it happens. More importantly, I want the Isles to stay AND be as economically viable as any other NY-area professional franchise.
However, I don’t see a connection as to how the Isles financial picture becomes rosier because of this. Wang will not have a piece in the casino because, legally, he cannot based on the tax implications. If we get a new arena out of it, we’ve been told that this is not enough to make us viable. So how exactly does this keep us on Long Island for the foreseeable future?
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Geno says:
Get on with it!
*goes back to wailing a cat against a wall
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NYI FAN says:
Yes, build a LIRR loop along or over the Meadowbrook Pky to link the Main line with the Sunrise HWY line & it is a no-brainer; the parking lot could be used for carpools going into the city during the day. And of course, the Islanders could stay!
But I wonder if CW’s ego could stand being one upped. -
Isle Be Damned says:
I hope they get this casino. For one, there will be a Casino really close by. But I devilishly will be quite pleased that Kate Murray & the TOH won’t be able to do anything to block this. They didn’t want the traffic that a bunch of office buildings, shopping, restaurant & dining destinations would have created. Well, too bad but a Casino is going to bring in much more traffic.
Anything to keep the NYI in the area for the next 40 years I’m in favor of.
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Mars Bonfire says:
What bugs me is that over the last 20 years the majority of all major sports franchises have gotten a new building . As far as I know, none of these buildings were tied in with a requirement to build a large scale housing project or a new casino. Even the Nets are getting their building first. The housing can wait.
Unfortunately I see the Isles going the way of the Seattle Supersonics. They were around from 1967 – 2008? 41 years. about the same as the Isles. They left as they could not raise the funding for a new building.
Wang was never interest in a new building. It was the real estate first and then a refurbished NVMC.The Isle be damned. No new state of the art building. Kate Murray has stated in the past the Isles are approved to remodel the NVMC. I hear hockey is pretty popular in Oaklahoma City -
Michael says:
Put me down for a “no.” I’m a lifelong Islander fan but am not at all in favor of a casino in my backyard.
Just another place for people who can ill afford to gamble lose money they don’t have, get deeper in debt and borrow more. Another place to get drunk and hit the highways afterward and create a dangerous environment for our loved ones. A place for the criminal element to lurk in waiting for someone walking out the door with a wad full of cash from their winnings.
I know all these things can happen in other places but this is just a magnet for all of the seedy element to come together in one place. I want the Islanders to stay but not this way.
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booten326 says:
this guy can’t be serious…he justifies putting a casino next to a college by saying “kids are already gambling and addicted to video games.” Come on.
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RJ says:
Booten … 18 year olds are not “Kids.” This paternalistic notion that 18 year olds need to be protected from themselves is ridiculous at best.
At 18 you are old enough to hold a gun and fight for this country. If that’s the case, then you are also old enough to make your own decisions on whether or not you should do a term paper or gamble.
Maybe if we held “Kids” more accountable instead of trying to wrap them in a bubble their entire youth they would be better adapted to make such decisions.
The casino doesn’t make people gamble.
If it’s good for the economy and thus good for the Islanders … it is good for me.
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JT-27 says:
Andy (#137) says it best. The whole casino idea is ridiculously unrealistic for a plethora of reasons.
Just to add an aside to Andy’s many valid points, Jed Morey must have a great sense of humor to ever put Hofstra in the same sentence as Fordham and Columbia! LoL
Sooo, stay at The Mausoleum until 2015, and hope that Queens is sorted out by then. If not sign a one year lease at Nassau or Brooklyn until Queens can be finished. An arena by Citifield, the USTA, the old World’s Fair Grounds and Park as well as the brand new World Ice Arena is where the Isles should call home.
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one additional comment i want to add is along the lines of number 181. why not sign a lease that goes year to year in brooklyn if nothing is solved by 2015. either this way a new arena can be built in queens or nassau eventually or who knows, they might stay in brooklyn. i realize brooklyn is a last resort but if it comes down to brooklyn or bust ( move out of ny) then at least they have a beautiful new arena to play in since they will not play at the nvmc one day after the lease expires and by that time maybe prokorov ( the new nets owner) may want a hockey team to share the nets arena with and if he did buy the isles, you can be sure the isles will always be a top tier first class run operation instead of being run into the ground as it always will be as long as wang owns the team.
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@RJ, I see the points you’re making and I agree kids are wrapped up nowadays…but I just don’t think having a casino that close to a college looks good at all. There are other ways to keep the isles in NY where they belong. As some have pointed out, this destination will also act as a magnet for the criminal element, and that area isn’t too great to begin with.
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When you review the negative opinions on the casino, whether based on ignorance or misguided puritanical notions of morality, I think only one reasonable conclusion can be drawn. The Islanders are doomed. This team will be the victim of a perfect storm of narrow minded politicians who lack any vision of the future, a fiscally wounded Nassau County, a fanbase that doesn’t appreciate what this team needs to be economically viable or how soon 2015 will be here, and a stubborn owner who can’t seem to get out of his own way. Those of you who are like me, and grew up with this team– we’re seeing a Greek tragedy being played out before our very eyes. Come 2015, anyone and everyone who cares about this team will be scratching their heads, wondering how the franchise died.
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I agree that college students should be mature enough to control themselves, though that is rarely the case unfortunately. The casino issue shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand, after all look at UNLV in the heart of Vegas. Still, knowing the Islanders and the TOH, nothing will get done either way. It’s pretty amazing that the new arena project has moved at such a snail’s pace, and it’s a joke for Long Island. Look at all that’s happened in the years since the Islanders have started talking about a new venue. The Jets/Giants, Mets, Yankees, Devils, and soon the Nets all have new homes. MSG will be renovated soon too. Only the Islanders can’t get anything done seemingly. Recession or recovery, that also hasn’t seemed to help. Whether Wang or the town is more at fault, who really knows (what’s going on behind the scenes), but with so much on the line you would think that a common ground could be reached at some point. If not soon, I fear the days of this great franchise will be numbered.
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16 expiring says:
No. I don’t think this editorial changes anything nor tells us anything that we wouldn’t already have known for a while, if we weren’t paying attention for starters, and it should never happen, anyway because it does not benefit the community. It is a quick fix, and not much of a fix at that.
As some have started to point out, Wang needs to get real with the Islanders’ fans and the people of Long Island and truly commit to facilitating a revamped Coliseum (or building a new arena), which was approved by Nassau ages ago, and settle for less than he wanted originally for the Lighthouse plan. Build the damned sports/entertainment complex without all of this crazy extraneous bull, and the Islanders will have a profitable home, which will become even more profitable, when the sub-lease (which as I’ve mentioned before has had relatively generous terms for Wang since 2009)expires in 2015.
Wang might be heading in that direction, who knows? However, I don’t see how drudging up this Casino gahbage in an editorial helps matters for anyone. NO NO NEVER.
People, stop being pawns in their games. Supporting something that has no business on Long Island to justify the Isles staying here is emotionally understandable to a point, but logically ridiculous. -
i guess i vote no. hate to say it, but the idea of a casino smacks of desperation (i don’t think it would be anything but a last choice) and makes me more worried about what happens in 2015.
i agree with someone’s point that on-line gambling as well as ‘casino’ race tracks might put the project into a tailspin down the road in any case.
as for renovating nvmc, new seats would be absolutely necessary. they’re not uncomfortable, but they’re the most old-fashioned, tired-looking seats around, especially compared to pru center and a refurbished msg. someone also mentioned widening the concourses, and i agree that would be the other essential upgrade. but not being an engineer, i’m not sure how feasible it would be (certainly harder than new seats).
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This is not going to happen for many reasons and the main one is spelled HOFSTRA. They have become a major voice in LI politics and rightly so.
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Isle be a Fan says:
Crime of it all is. The NIMBY folks, and the fear mongering people don’t even know what they are protecting. I would bet a Dollar to a Donut that while they say don’t build, its ruin our lovely middle Island, they are also on the weekends agreeing with their friends, how Long Island is just too expensive to live and everybody should move. Does anyone reading this, not admit that 80% of the people they know essentially are biding their time when to leave or how to leave…
I’m not going anywhere, I’m gonna fight for this Island. However any politician, or any NIMBY person is lying to themselves if they think they are protecting anything by NOT building. Unfortunately right now, why would anybody want to live in middle Island? Who would move there ? Have these people not seen the progressive nature of the other parts of our beautiful country?
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WangChung says:
a degree from Columbia vs a degree from Hofstra?? was that last part a joke?? In case you haven’t been to Columbia in the last 10 years, the area isn’t what it was, and instead of writing “Hofstra-Long Island, put “Hofstra-Hempstead/Uniondale” if you’re trying to compare the areas.
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TheMetalChick says:
A big reason why the county is seriously considering this is not because they want a casino that badly, its because they want something that makes money and includes the Islanders in what is arguably the best location in Nassau County. They dont want nothing- stagnation- the status quo. Sadly, the Town of Hempstead does not care what the county wants to do with its own land, they do not care what the majority of nassau county residents want, all they truly care about is what benefits them directly- appeasing the Garden City NIMBY snobs who keep voting the old guard into the TOH again and again. That is not going to change- unless enough voters stand up and MAKE it change. I wish I could say that I could see that happening, but sadly I dont. The Garden City NIMBYs think everything is perfect just the way it is… they have said it right in front of me, talking about how great the area is right now, just the way it is. Their minds cannot see past their own beautiful tree-lined streets to the liquor stores used tire and and 99 cent shops that remain in business surrounded by lower middle class to poor housing. Or maybe they see it all too clearly- and know that the status quo is the best way for them to stay on top. Couple that with the unfortunate fact that most Long Islanders are ignorant voters when it comes to local elections, and what do we get? Status quo, status quo.
I am not a gambler and I am not some big casino advocate, but Nassau County is becoming an economic void. Something needs to be done. The status quo will be the slow death of our county, and we are already seeing it with every half-empty strip mall and empty building with “for rent” signs on the windows.
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I try not to engage others on their comments, as I know this site isn’t really intended to work that way, but I just can’t let this go:
#115 – “The politicians need to find a proper way to fix our budget problems.”
Assuming it is really the “politicians” that determine budget/economic conditions on LI (a “fair sized assumption” to quote Fredrick March as President Lyman in Seven Days in May), it is those very “politicians” themselves that caused the “problems” in the first place and have done nothing but show they’re incapable and/or unwilling (for various reasons) to “fix” the problems, which any nitwit on economic issues such as me could see coming literally decades ago. Also, they are largely the same people and interests that have been arguing about that tract of land and have failed to put it to work for the community since work on the Coliseum began in 1970. In truth, the local “politicians” – that is the actual elected officials – don’t have that much say in how or even if that land will be used. Expecting them to solve the “problems” or put that land to the best possible use for Nassau County/Long Island is seriously naïve, to put it mildly. The best hope by far is that enough of those who will ultimately determine how the site is used – once they are taken care of (wink-wink) – turn out to be Islander fans.
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2 things: first, I don’t think Hofstra has that much of a voice. Every major player from Hofstra was supporting the Lighthouse with a passion…yet…T.O.H. had no problem ignoring the overwhelming support for the project.
Secondly, I don’t think the Casino will ever happen, although I don’t think it is a bad idea if done right. Why doesn’t Wang just team up with the Wilpons to buy a small portion of the Mets to relieve their financial burden in exchange for the Isles to build a state of the art arena in Queens with maybe some housing or restaurants included. This option should be explored. While my first choice, like everyone else’s would be some form of the lighthouse project, but I think as long as the current politicians are running the show in Hempstead, they will be pulling our wang forever (pun intended). We need to move the project in a place nearby where Kate, Santino, and their cronies don’t have a voice. Belmont should be seriously looked at. That would be the best place for a Casino AND a state of the art facility for the Isles although sadly, that too is a part of Hempstead. -
Sign a five year extension.
Pressure NY to use the funds on renovation and contribute to the renovation with the promise of ALL revenues remaining with Wanger. Wanger then gets a 15 year lease with full revenue and can essentially use the cable contract revenues to fund it. A renovation can add size to the building for shopping and eating and perhaps a practice rink, where Wang adds to his revenues with landlord revenues. It’s small but the Wanger benefits from tax breaks, expands his revenue streams, HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY TO GO THROUGH MURRAY (the block the Coliseum sits on is already approved for building) and it ends the drama with no casino, no threat to make Wang the tribe’s tenant but continues his tenancy with a VERY favorable deal from Nassau County. -
islebethere4u says:
I live in Westchester County, a short drive to the NVMC. I also live near the Yonkers racetrack and Empire Casino. Initially, I thought it was a bad idea to open a casino in this area. I have since changed my mind. They have actually cleaned up a lot of what was dreary and run down looking about the property. I cannot say how much it has impacted the local economy but it has certainly generated many jobs to say the least. I don’t live in TOH, but I think it would be a great boon to the community, including Hofstra. There are countles ways the Shinnecock tribe could partner with Hofstra and other local entities and the article only touched on a few. The highly favorable economic impact speaks for itself. This may be in fact a better idea than the lighthouse project. Maybe CW could combine in some small way the lighthouse (already have the studies done)with the Shinnecocks plans, and the TOH need never be involved nor their approval be needed. I say go for it!!!
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Mike S says:
I haven’t seen a lot of support for Brooklyn in this thread, or any reason why that’s not a good idea. I understand that the Queens site (and the Wilpons) have far too much going on. But Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn Borough President) is on the record saying that he’d be all in favor of the Islanders coming to Brooklyn. It’s still Long Island. The leadership in Nassau has utterly failed. And it is a shame. But they simply do not desserve to reap any of the benefits that would come from the Islanders staying in town. I’m sure Wang would agree with me. Do I want the Islanders to stay in Nassau? Of course. But at this point, it’s only for sentimentality purposes. I would be thrilled if they went to Brooklyn (and stayed the “New York” Islanders), and amazed if serious discussions haven’t happened between Wang and Ratner already. It’s a better option, and the team’s fan base would only increase. And by the way, you don’t have to dream about building a viable public transportation option for getting to the Barclays Center—it’s already there. No to the Casino as any kind of band-aid to keep the team where they are not wanted/supported enough by the officials that were elected by the residents. Yes to Brooklyn.
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AJAX says:
All for a casino over there. I live in Suffolk, so I will only have to deal with all the trash when I go to the games.
The surrounding area is awful now and will get even worse with a casino, however I’m OK with that if it keeps the Isles here.
I’ve learn to really loathe Nassau County over the years. -
brad says:
I am from Nassau, and I’m for this at the moment. I’d like to hear more about the other side of the coin though. This is important time in the history of our county, All I hope is that people in power keep in mind that they are representatives and not pursue their own agendas. What happens here in the next few years is going to have consequences for generations. I just hope the tribe takes the team from Wang.
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I think this is a plot to make the lighthouse gold and look like a better proposal. NHL says nassau and clowns of hempstead have til the end of 2012 to decide what they are gonna do with the islande,rs then Charles has to decide what he wants. The reason is because it would take 3 years for a new arena.
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Colin M. says:
Hey CB,
I understand why the Isles can’t move closer to where I’m from in Suffolk (logistically), but I just don’t understand why Wang doesn’t discuss moving the team to the new arena in Brooklyn? Doesn’t this seem like a complete no-brainer, and cuts the inept Nassau County politicians out of the decision completely?
Can you explain to us (or me) what I’m missing, and why this isn’t being actively pursued?
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Glens says:
I’m not a big casino person, but to all those that say that it brings low life’s and such to the area I have one question?
Have you looked west of the NVMC lately, Uniondale and west Hempstead are not area’s that I’d move to anytime soon.And before anyone bring’s race into this it has nothing to do with it,prior to living where I do now I’ve lived just about anywhere you can think of.What I’m saying is stop with the stereotyping with what come’s with casinos.# 195 hits the nail on the head, he was against it in the beginning but now after it has been built and up and running for I guess about ten years more or less he see’s the change in the area. I myself make deliveries in that area once in awhile and what i see is an area that is clean and from what I can see not a run down area that all say that the area around NVMC will become.
SO to all those that are involved(TOH,CW,EMand the all rest) JUST DO SOMETHING ALREADY NOW PLEASE….. -
My prediction is the closer this gets to possibly passing, Kate decides to negotitate with Wang on the Lighthouse further, poss 50% of what Wang proposed that would be a win/win for everyone. CB, do you think this is how it will lay out?
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seabass says:
Question: Doesn’t NC have an agreed to proposal with Wang that he is allowed to build the Lighthouse project on the county land? Is there a statute of limitations on that agreement if TOH doesn’t grant the zoning by a certain time? To me, it was is odd that Mangano would be touting the Casino idea when the county he represents already has an understanding regarding the development of the land. It is really odd considering the primary argument of his fellow party members at TOH is that the LH project would destroy the fabric of suburbia (lol). Wang is caught in a big hot GOP BS sandwich. I don’t see Wang waiting around after the lease expires which is exactly what he would have to if the Casino option moves forward. But, this could galvanize Kate Murray aka “The Nihilist” to make enough concessions on the LH project zoning in order to make the project doable for CW if she feels that the LH project could block the casino from happening. That is assuming that KM and TOH are really interested in not “destroying the fabric of suburbia”. Better bet is that she was just stalling until Suozzi was out so that the d’amato and the crony’s could push the casino agenda. What is Wang to do? Only thing he can do is play his hand close and let this play out as he has been doing….
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hale says:
living in ct i have been to mohegan and foxwoods countless times…these are modern casinos…their is no rift raff their their is no seedy underbelly ruining new london county and kids from connecticut college (10 minutes away) arent having an education ruined…we aren’t talking about the casinos in detroit (NEVER GO THEIR) or even some of the run down ones of AC, these are going to be modern and will give people a reason to go out besides to gamble
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I can’t believe this debate is still going on, Casinos in Nassau County will NEVER be built!!!!. It’s just a red herring thrown into the mix to distract us from A. How bad the team is and B. How bad the team is.
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To #205, A, the team is far from “bad”,and B this all has to do with greed. No one will be happy until their pockets are lined. Unfortunately, our hockey team, which is getting pretty exciting, is in the middle. If i am Wang, I either look at options anywhere in N.Y., or sell the team to someone that will keep them here without the requirements of a mini city as part of the equation. That said, I am all for the lighthouse project. That area is in serious need of improvement. I would love to go to an Islander game and then go to a nice wine bar, or upscale restaurant to celebrate an Islander win without driving a few miles to do so. The T.O.H. could have scaled down the project a little bit, but their cuts showed they were unwilling to negotiate in good faith. As for Wang, he, too, has to compromise, otherwise we will lose our beloved team in the name of selfishness and greed. It’s about time everyone puts their differences aside and works together to improve our county and keep our Islanders home.
Whatever it takes.