Has The Miracle Been Put on Ice?

That was one of the best statements that came out of yesterdays’ press conference called by Tom Suozzi and the Lighthouse developers. It was followed closely by Suozzi’s very passionate please to the Town of Hempstead of “Stop playing games!”

I will admit, I enjoy listening to Tom Suozzi speak. No one is more passionate about this project than he is. Every time I listen to him address a crowd, it makes me wish I was a Democrat, or at least a Nassau County resident. He is articulate, engaging and sincere.

The other Nassau County officials in the room yesterday, all of whom also believe in the Lighthouse project, punctuated Suozzi’s insinuated condemnation of the ToH board every chance they could. Basically, this lease agreement presented to the Nassau County Legislature puts all the pressure squarely on Kate Murray’s shoulders. There is nothing left for any other agency to do until the zoning has been decided. Yes or No is all the developers are waiting to hear and the October 3rd date still stands.

The lack of cooperation between the Town Supervisor and other branches of local government was reiterated and detailed by Suozzi. The list of stumbling blocks thrown up by the Town of Hempstead is disheartening to any Long Island resident in favor of the plan.

Most new sports arena complexes are built with public funding, this one is not. Besides, Nassau County can’t afford to pay for any portion of it. Suozzi claims the new lease will give the Lighthouse Group the entire responsibility of a new Coliseum as well as keep them there until 2030. It also gives the County a positive cash flow and will create over 100,000 jobs in the county.

“It will create a destination in Nassau County that will tell people in the entire country that Nassau County is on the move. This is a place where things are happening. This will be the most exciting catalyst of what we call “New Suburbia.” (If they can ever get it built!)

His idea is to keep 90% of Nassau County the way it is now with 10% completely re-imagined. And the Lighthouse Project is a beautiful dream from the imagination of Charles Wang that could bring the County and Long Island into the future.

“This will be a sign, especially to the private sector, that Nassau County is open for business…We now need the Town of Hempstead to move forward with what they need to do to make this project become a reality. It would be horrible if after all this hard work, after all this time, after all this money invested by the developer, after all the effort that has been put in by the people in the county and the people who LIVE here in the county if this project were not to go forward. Imagine what it would be like if a month from now or three months from now the developers decided it’s not working any more. We got a better offer somewhere else. Let’s not do this project in Nassau County. The Islanders would leave after 2015 and they wouldn’t make this massive investment into the heart of our county – SHAME ON THOSE FOLKS WHO WOULD STOP THIS PROJECT FROM GETTING DONE.”

That statement made my eyes wide, he was adamant. “By working together we can achieve a first-class, world-class arena that befitting the people of Long Island. We deserve a world class facility.”

“My ideas and my talk mean nothing unless a developer is willing to put their money where their mouth is.” And with that, Suozzi asked Charles Wang, the man who has already put $15,000,000 where his mouth is, to the podium.

He thanked everyone who has worked so diligently on this project. “I am proud to announce that the Islanders look forward to decades of success right here in their rightful home in Nassau County. And when the new Coliseum is complete, finally Islander fans will have a home arena they can be proud of and have wanted for so long.”

Mr. Wang reiterated his desire to hear a decision by October 3rd and explained that further changes to the project would only incur further delays. Scott Rechler had a better explanation “To now come out at this stage of the game and say well here are the adjustments is disingenuous. It’s basically a ‘No’ when it wasn’t done throughout the entire process when it typically IS done.” And he should know the process as he is one of Long Islanders most successful developers.

In all seriousness, the time for compromise and changes has long passed and had the Town of Hempstead spent less time procrastinating and more time reviewing, no one would be in this position. I can’t understand why it has taken so long when it’s a proven fact that Long Islanders are overwhelming in support of the project. Neither can anyone else.

The News12 anchor was the first to ask the question about possible tax breaks for the developers. Mr. Suozzi explained the lease itself contains no tax benefits, “But this project should be eligible for tax benefits. This property was specifically included in the Empire zone so we could get tax benefits to encourage development at this property. With the Empire zone arrangement, the developer gets the tax benefit and the State picks up the tax burden.” He continued saying that the project could also be eligible for other breaks that are routinely given by the County and the Town to other developments all the time.

“This property will be a NET-PLUS in tax revenues to the people of Nassau County. The County will make money, and the town and the school districts.” He said emphatically. So then what’s the question and what’s the holdup? “The town has refused to discuss throughout the entire process what they want. It’s not fair to the developers to change it now.”

Mr. Wang did say that he would take silence from Kate Murray on the 3rd as an assumption her answer is a “NO” and will open the door to new options come Monday but he was emphatic “I am committed to Long Island. I love Long Island. This is the place where the Islanders belong and we want to do something to make this great. I’ve said this over and over again, here it is. Tell me yes or no.”

After the cameras turned off and the reporters converged on the speakers, I waited to speak to Mr. Wang. Throughout this entire ordeal, he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. I asked him if he felt the NHL or Commissioner Bettman could do anything additional to help him in this fight, “Yeah, he could make sure that all the refs make the right calls so we could win the Stanley Cup.” He smiled at my reaction of surprise and those around him broke into laughter.

I asked if there were any suitors for the project already lining up at the door waiting for Monday to come, he said it wasn’t for him to comment but “We WANT to stay on Long Island. YOU know that. We just want to get this thing done. Its eight years now. It’s enough. Two years ago I asked them tell me what you want and I will tell you yes or no. It’s not so complicated!” His frustration is evident, so I went back to hockey and asked who was going to drop the puck on Saturday for the Home Opener.

“Kate I think is coming.” My mouth dropped. “Well, I invited her. I did. I swear!”

Well, Kate more than likely won’t be there but her Democrat opponent for Town Supervisor, Kristen McElroy, will be! It may already be the first week of October, but it isn’t too late to show Kate Murray that her elected position is etched in stone. There is certainly time to Rock The Vote and bring in someone new that may share Tom Suozzi’s vision of New Suburbia.

Damn! I wish I could vote in Nassau County!

*For additional information on potential tax benefits, please check Isles Official Doug's website!