Arena: Mangano unveils economic development plan including new Coliseum

Ed Mangano, trying once more to get a new Nassau Coliseum at the HUB site, unveiled plans to develop a new arena at the HUB site along with a massive parking garage, residential and retail space and a bioscience research and development park. This plan will competing with several others as part of Governor Cuomo's Empire State Development Corp, which will give state funds to whichever projects win out. The state's decision will come in December. The plan also mentions Belmont as a possible site for a new Coliseum if the HUB is no longer viable due to restricted space or other concerns. You can read the full article here.

AT: Here we go again. Albeit, this project would be jump started from state funds and not be voted upon by the public, it's hard to be optimistic about anything concerning keeping the Islanders in Nassau County. If you look at the projected layout of what the HUB site would be, there is very little room for parking outside of the direct area outside of the Coliseum. If the parking garage - which would be shared with the bioscience center and the Coliseum - were to hold 7,000 vehicles, where does everyone else go? Plus, parking in an enclosed garage like that would create chaos on nights where the Islanders sell out. Getting out of the Coliseum as it is right now is already a major hassle, getting out of it when you're on the top floor of a multistoried parking garage sounds like a nightmare. This would have to be designed to the highest standards for easy in and out access for mass traffic, otherwise we'll have simply solved one problem and gained another.

It's notable as well that there looks to be plans for a light rail system, which Mangano is known to be in favor of, wrapping itself around the HUB area extending into the Nassau County Community College area and down Hempstead Turnpike. This would be a great addition to the HUB site as right now, the nearest LIRR station is not the most easily accessible site when coming to and from the Coliseum. An addition such as a light rail system would make it a lot more tempting for commuters who simply want to jump on the LIRR and not use a taxi or bus to finish the ride.

Obviously, we have to see more details. But this looks like it will be the final ditch effort for Mangano and Nassau County to really keep the Islanders in Nassau County and retain an arena in Nassau as well. I'm very curious to see Wang's opinion on this and where his support lies at this point, as a plan like this would obviously need private developers in addition to state funds to achieve anything. Would a plan like this even be economically viable for Nassau County?

Arena: Nassau Looks Into Belmont; Wang Does Not Submit Willets Point Bid

Recently, two bits of news regarding the Islanders future were reported in various publications. First, Crain's New York Business news reported that despite Queens officials best efforts, Charles Wang decided not to submit a big for Phase I of the oft-talked about Willets Point project.

NYCEDC

CH: Obviously, this is extremely disappointing. When Charles Wang announced he was going to explore all of his options, a lot of people assumed this project would be at the top of the list. Clearly, that is not the case - despite the public invitations from Queens officials. That said, it does not spark the end of the Islanders in Queens speculation. There is still an opportunity to build an arena next to CitiField, for the time being. If the Wilpons win the bid for the Willets Point project, they may have more capital to help make Flushing Meadows more than just a seasonal destination. If all the pieces of the puzzle come together, there is still a chance. But as of now, it's not a big one at all.

AT: Definitely disappointed at the lack of action here. Queens was a very viable destination, and while as Carey said it's not all said and done there, this is a pretty big indication that Queens isn't the highest of priorities for Charles Wang. At this point, especially with a place like Queens, it's all just a game of wait and see.

A new opportunity in Nassau County came about recently, as a report from Newsday states that a new arena may be targeted in Belmont, to coincide with the proposed Shinnecock casino next to the Belmont Raceway.

CH: This could be the perfect storm that gets everything done. Yeah, I know how that sounds - here we go again. To be honest, I agree with that sentiment. The reality is that no one wants to discuss this topic anymore. We're all sick of it. But an arena at Belmont Park benefits everyone. There is an LIRR station there, it's right off the Cross Island Expressway and the Southern State Parkway. It's easily accessible and is a prime location still in Nassau County. Obviously, more details will have to come about before this gains any real traction. But there is at least hope, and that is important at this stage.

AT: Although Belmont would be a longer commute for myself and other Suffolk County residents, the LIRR stop right there would be a huge positive and would save us all a lot of gas. Belmont could become a new "HUB" so to speak, having a race track, a casino, and an arena all in one major area. Now that is something that could really be the lynchpin in bringing in an enormous amount of tax dollars back to Nassau County.