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I was a believer in the idea that the politics would unravel and we'd find our way to a new Coliseum or modern arena and keep the Islanders. That seems to be slipping away. Forces are working faster to make Brooklyn or Quebec City a reality much faster than LI.
Mangano: "I'm trying my best." Lots of grandiose schemes like casinos and a convention center (we have no industry and no transportation so why would we need a convention center?!).
Town of Hempstead: "We've re-zoned the space for an arena now it's up to the developers to come forward." Unfortunately the reigning Queen and her obstructionist cronies know full well they have zoned a completely rigid window for an arena only and NO developer is going to sink their private dough into a money pit like that without also getting retail, housing, SOMETHING. As always, ToH govt pretends to indemnify themselves from any forward thinking or ambition and acts smug in the process.
Wang and Co: Offer a nice developmentment package (Lighthouse Project) that a 3rd grader can tell is way TOO ambitious and over-reaching for the area, time frame and economy. Instead of a reasonable public-private partnership, they attempted to fleece the county and town of the land. Unfortunately the card Wang holds is the Islanders and they just aren't THAT good!
I went to NHL games at 4 arenas this season and the Coliseum is a complete an utter embarrassment. Sure, the arena doesn't make the team but in pro sports, presentation matters. If Ottawa can attract all star games, so should we. We are a NEW YORK team. It takes a certain swagger and pride to carry that. If you're getting outclassed by Kansas City, it's time to rethink your marketing and investment strategy.
Now air travel is flat, MacArthur cannot attract suitors because of the severe limit of non-stop flights and inability to service resort destinations. How long will Southwest (the only legitimate tenant) eek it out if nothing changes? Will they dump money into a losing effort like Wang does? Or will they take a bundle of tax breaks and pick up slots at Laguardia?
I'm sorry I continue to vent on the lack of ambition to see LI grow for fear of whatever ("another Queens..." " we are a bedroom community of NYC..." ..."not ANYTHING in my backyard...nothing, nada, zip, zilch...ok, maybe a new mall") but we are losing it.
If you're not making progress, you are in decline. As Ricky Bobby said... "if you aint first, yer last."
The problems are vast...it's starts with a concerted effort to WANT to grow without fear of modernity. Will we ever vote out these dinosaurs?! Break the grip of some of the unions (not all). Enact some kind of Prop 13 for school taxes like Cali? Will it matter? Is it too late?
....cry from the suburban wilderness......................
I was a believer in the idea that the politics would unravel and we'd find our way to a new Coliseum or modern arena and keep the Islanders. That seems to be slipping away. Forces are working faster to make Brooklyn or Quebec City a reality much faster than LI.
Mangano: "I'm trying my best." Lots of grandiose schemes like casinos and a convention center (we have no industry and no transportation so why would we need a convention center?!).
Town of Hempstead: "We've re-zoned the space for an arena now it's up to the developers to come forward." Unfortunately the reigning Queen and her obstructionist cronies know full well they have zoned a completely rigid window for an arena only and NO developer is going to sink their private dough into a money pit like that without also getting retail, housing, SOMETHING. As always, ToH govt pretends to indemnify themselves from any forward thinking or ambition and acts smug in the process.
Wang and Co: Offer a nice developmentment package (Lighthouse Project) that a 3rd grader can tell is way TOO ambitious and over-reaching for the area, time frame and economy. Instead of a reasonable public-private partnership, they attempted to fleece the county and town of the land. Unfortunately the card Wang holds is the Islanders and they just aren't THAT good!
I admit it's extremely frustrating to wait around, but I don't expect there to be any REAL news regarding the Islanders/Coliseum until this time next year, at the earliest. Everything we've heard since last summer has been nothing but fluff and posturing. Nassau and Town of Hempstead simply have no reason at the moment to get off their asses and make something work. They have all the leverage over Wang (for now), and are hoping that a) Brooklyn and Queens crap out for some reason, and b) Wang gives in and builds a new arena either by himself or with other private investors. They know Wang doesn't want to leave NY and that he could only lose big-time on his investment if he sold to someone who would.
Wang's hand will get a lot better next year and into 2014 when the end of the lease really begins to appear on the horizon. If the Islanders go, the Coliseum goes, and Nassau/TOH knows they would be the ones left to face the music. Suddenly it's no longer an issue about the Islanders; it's an issue over the status and future of Nassau County. Wang holds that over the politicians' heads and, I hope, we'd finally start to see some action.
An arena, stadium, race track (horses or horsepower) or combination of the 3 should be built in Calverton. With the jetway there, sports teams and performers could fly right in.
An arena, stadium, race track (horses or horsepower) or combination of the 3 should be built in Calverton. With the jetway there, sports teams and performers could fly right in.
Poor idea, since the vineyards alone jam up traffic for miles on the weekend. It's just too far off the beaten path, better to just leave it rural and bolster local farming, etc. Eastern Suffolk has its own local industries being developed, bringing the city out there would only be detrimental to LI as a whole.
Doesn't most of Florida make "bubkus"? They are unionized in a right to work state so I would imagine they might be doing better than their non union neighbors.
I'd like a new arena, not so much to keep the Islanders but to have a viable alternative to MSG. Same for McArthur, it's a nice alternative to JFK and LGA.
Poor idea, since the vineyards alone jam up traffic for miles on the weekend. It's just too far off the beaten path, better to just leave it rural and bolster local farming, etc. Eastern Suffolk has its own local industries being developed, bringing the city out there would only be detrimental to LI as a whole.
NIMBY much?
The LIE is rather close by and Calverton was west of Riverhead -- not near any of the north fork vineyards.
Or would you prefer even higher taxes?
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