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.

Arena: ABLI Announces New Coliseum Plan

Randi Marshall from Newsday reports a new plan for the site of the Nassau Coliseum, this time created by the Association of Better Long Island. The plan is for $347 million, all privately funded, and includes $100 million for renovations of the Nassau Coliseum. The Coliseum will supposedly be made larger and taller, and will include extra seats and suites. According to the article, the plan also includes a minor league baseball stadium, ice rink, a parking garage, and retail/restaurant space.

The ABLI has not reached out to Charles Wang yet. However, County Executive Ed Mangano is aware of the potential plan.

Nassau County expects to call for a formal proposal stage before the end of the year.

CH: And here we go again. Without getting into the gory details, mostly because there are not, there's not much else to say other than I support any means to keep the Islanders in Nassau County (and New York as a whole). If that means sleeping with the enemy (in this case the ABLI), so be it. This certainly qualifies as "exploring all options," so I hope Charles Wang sits down and listens to what these guys have to say. But for now, there's not much else to report. This is the plan they are proposing. While the renovation may be a lowball for now, there's no reason to say that won't go up if it ever gets finalized. If they do end up winning the RFP, then so be it. I will be there rooting for it to get done for the Islanders and for Nassau County. The time of political and personal grudges needs to end. It's time to work together.

AT: As Carey said, even if it means getting involved with ABLI, who spearheaded the defeat of the referendum in August for what mostly seemed to be their own personal goals, I'm all for any plan to keep the Islanders in Nassau County. This can't be about personal relationships and feuds, it has to be about keeping those tax dollars on Long Island, not in Brooklyn or Queens. Hopefully both sides can suck up their pride and get something done so that a shovel is in the ground and a new or renovated coliseum is done in time for the 2015-2016 season. If not, the only people that will be hurting will be the fans and Nassau County residents once again.

Arena: Referendum Fails at 57%, Now What?

Last night, voters of Nassau County decided not to invest $400 million for the creation of a new Nassau Coliseum, minor league ballpark, and track and field complex. Of the over 140,000 votes cast yesterday, only 43% were yes votes. 

Today, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced he is opening up an RFP process. Before putting out an official RFP, ideas for what to do with the property must be sent to Mr. Mangano's office by Friday, August 12, just ten days away. It is unknown if Charles Wang will put in his idea for the property (otherwise known as The Lighthouse, or a portion of it), but Wang is expected to make a statement on Wednesday according to ESPN.

CH: Obviously, this is a crushing blow. Not only did the referendum lose, it got demolished by over 20,000 votes. Clearly, the Islanders are in an incredibly dire situation at this point. There is no certainty about anything past 2015, Charles Wang is seemingly out of options in Nassau County, and the fans are left wondering "what now?"

As a group, Islander fans did an amazing job promoting this vote. They got over 65,000 YES votes, which in a normal special election in Nassau County should have been enough to win. However, that was not the case as it came out the Democrats sent out "robo-messages" to the senior citizen demographic, of who they were sure would mostly vote no. Either way, Islander fans proved again that they are one of the most passionate in the NHL. Every single fan who voted or brought people to the polls should be extremely proud of themselves.

But now for the real question: what now? Now, it is time to seriously look elsewhere. Both Queens and Brooklyn have came out in the last two days saying they would love to have the Islanders. Charles Wang is best off publicly negotiating with these municipalities, as it may be the only way for Nassau County to get their act together regarding the future of the team. So far, Nassau County has stalled and stalled as we inch closer to 2015. There is little time, maybe a year, for the Islanders to sign off on a new lease before the team will be left in a bind regarding where they will play the 2015-16 season.

That said, today brought new opportunity to those who believe the team should stay in Nassau County. Ed Mangano announced that he is opening a proposal stage for which developers can send to his office their plan to redevelop the Nassau Coliseum site. These proposals are due on August 12, just ten days from today, before the process will turn to an RFP. We have no idea if Charles Wang will send in a proposal, but it is hard to believe that he would just not take part. As he has said all along, he has to explore all of his options. That includes this - Nassau County is still an option for Charles Wang and the New York Islanders. For now.

Coincidentally (or not?), the Willets Point deadline in Queens was moved back from August 15 to September 9 over the past week, according to Randi Marshall. You can read into whether the Nassau deadline was expedited or not, but it is my opinion that none of this is any coincidence. I would wait to jump off any ledges, at least for another month. If Wang and the Islanders are not involved in either of these proposal stages, I agree it may be time to start the freakout. But for now, we must wait and see.

There is also the Brooklyn option, which while it seems less likely, it also may be the most realistic at this point. The reason for that is, of course, the fact that they are currently building a brand new building for the NBA's Nets. The building is fit for professional hockey, but can only sit 14,500 people. That should not be a worry, as standing room only tickets could easily bring that number up to an acceptable NHL standard - at least that of the MTS Centre in Winnipeg. The question there is if Charles Wang would like to be a second tenant. And of course, a decision on Brooklyn would not have to come for a few years.

Suffolk County remains an option as well, but really only at the Pilgrim State location. As the team moves east, interest draws less - that includes time to get to the arena and corporate sponsorship. Still, it is a local option and cannot be discounted at this point.

Wang cannot put all of his eggs in one basket anymore. He needs to negotiate with anyone who will listen. Thinks will undoubtedly look bleak at times, but that is par for the course in dealing with a situation like this. We should find out soon what the next step in this saga is - but make no mistake, with four years left we are far from done. For the sake of argument, after hearing today's news from Nassau County, Queens, and Brooklyn, I sincerely doubt the Islanders will end up moving out of state. However, you can never say never. Any local option is one worth exploring.

The fans' passion never has waned and it won't. Islander fans will still fight to keep the team here no matter what. That is something you can take to the bank.

AT: Misinformation won. Apparently, the Democrats went forth with a stealth campaign and sent out 100K robocalls to senior citizens trying to push forward the $58 tax increase number. It is time to put an end to these shenanigans. The county ither have give Charles a concrete, solidified option for a reworked Lighthouse with a guarantee, or Charles should move the team to Queens. It is that simple. We shall see on Wednesday. I would imagine Charles is planning on saying something at least moderately concrete to stop Islander fans from jumping off a cliff.

While there is this new opportunity with the RFP process, Wang has tried this before. At this point, after 5+ years of trying to get first a privately funded and then a publicly funded arena, it's time for Wang to put up the big guns. Start making threats and realistic PR moves to show he is dedicated to Queens. In the Siena poll released before the vote, most said they wanted the Islanders, just not the bill of a publicly financed arena. Well, it's time to put up or shut up, Nassau County.

As for Queens, I do at this point believe it is the most likely option. You have the all-but-official partnership between the Isles and Mets that has been active for years, you have a very reliable location that is still very reachable by car, LIRR and NYC transportation, a location that is still geographically part of Long Island, and an area that seems to really want the Islanders. Having a team play all year would be huge for income, especially with a team on the rise like the Isles.

Brooklyn is certainly an option, but I see it as more of a last ditch option. The Islanders have almost always been the only tenant in their arena, and I would imagine Wang wants things to stay the same. Yet, he still loves Long Island as much as anyone, and I'm sure he would consider it if absolutely necessary.

On behalf of Carey and myself, we would also like to extend a HUGE thank you for those who really helped us with the social media push on the "VOTE YES" page on Facebook. It is because of you that this vote wasn't a complete and total disaster and it is because of you that you affirmed my faith that there are people who realized that this wasn't just about hockey, it was about Long Island. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Not 'till the fat lady sings.

Arena: Why Tonight Was a Wakeup Call

Tonight was the first of the polls that Chris Botta was referring to in one of his recent tweets: that the outcome may be a "NO." Newsday came out tonight with an article saying that 75% of the 620 residents who were polled wanted to keep the Islanders, but not on their tab.

According to Botta, the Association of Better Long Island (I still crack up at their name) is starting a week-long advertising campaign to promote the "NO" vote.

So, it's now eight days before the vote. All hands are on deck here, and if nothing else, this should serve as a wake-up call. Forget the Alexei Yashin rumors. Forget Charles Wang and his curious decision making. Forget the fact that Garth Snow still has not traded for a top-4 defenseman. At this point, it absolutely does not matter. I respect and understand the viewpoint that hockey operations are tied in with public relations, but they cannot coincide in this situation.

If you hate everything the Islanders are doing right now, be it their inability to reach the cap floor on July 24, their four straight bottom-5 finishes, or their extremely loyalty to players who may not deserve it, it does not matter. If you love everything the Islanders are doing right now, be it accumulating high-end talent for the future, smart asset management and drafting, and the rebuilding process as a whole, it also does not matter.

We need to come together as Islander fans and put this vote through. Yes, I realize Newsday's poll had over 325 voters who are over 55. In some ways, it was flawed. But again, not the point. The point is the referendum in that poll was shot down, and while it does not matter, it should serve as a motivational symbol to not take this for granted. There are no guarantees in life, and this is a perfect example of that. I urge anyone who lives in Nassau County to vote YES, no matter if you are the Islanders' biggest criticizer or their biggest superfan. If you live in a New York City borough, Suffolk County, New Jersey, Connecticut, Switzerland or wherever else - if you know anyone in Nassau County, get them to vote YES.

This vote is in our hands, and it's in our hands to even get the politicians to look at the proposal. We wanted to be heard, so now we have our shot. We have to make it count.

-CH

Arena: NIFA, Extortion, Economic Loss - What Is Going On?

CH: It's been a while since we have posted on the arena subject, mostly due to busy work schedules, but much has happened since the last post, which was five days ago. Since then, we've had a front page on Newsday regarding NIFA's thoughts on the project, we've had extortion accusations from the office of County Executive Ed Mangano, and we finally received a valuation of the losses Nassau County will suffer if the Islanders leave town, even if it's just right over to Queens or Suffolk County.

To start with NIFA, we'll have to backtrack a little bit. NIFA met the other day to discuss the budget that Ed Mangano submitted, which of course was shot down. Without making an official statement on the Coliseum project, they pretty much all but criticized the project, even asking if Nassau fans wanted to voluntarily raise their property taxes. Ouch. What was really the most interesting part of all, as noted on Islanders Point Blank, was that the Islanders are not the main tenant. From what I understand, instead, it's Arenaco SPE (special entity), which essentially leaves the onus on Nassau County if the tenant defaults. The Islanders are not tied to the lease - Arenaco is - which means theoretically the Islanders could leave for Tokyo in 20 years if they so desired. Coupled with the fact that Nassau County is on the hook if the Islanders were to go bankrupt, things do not look as promising given NIFA's concerns.

That said, it places so much more importance on the vote itself. It is clear there need to be an overwhelming majority in favor of the referendum for the proper channels to put it through. A 51-49 split is not going to get it done. If you are in Nassau County and can vote, do NOT take this for granted. Get to the polls and get your vote in. Even if it "doesn't matter" for the majority vote, we need more than that. This needs to be a landslide and only the help of every Nassau County resident can the Islanders get there.

AT: I don't think anyone expected a positive response from NIFA, but even without an official comment, it was overwhelmingly negative. Definitely not what we needed right now and as Carey said, all the more reason that any lethargy from people should be quelled immediately. We need this to be an overwhelming victory.

CH: Last night, we read that the office of Ed Mangano has accused ABLI leader Desmond Ryan of extortion, saying that Ryan would have offered his support of the Coliseum plan if he got the rights to develop the Coliseum. Naturally, Ryan denied these claims. Well, this is interesting. It's certainly about time that Ed Mangano went on the offensive here. Ryan has been shooting his mouth off with misinformation about the plan to anyone that will listen. Newsday hasn't even mentioned his conflict of interest until about a week ago. Things certainly escalated when Ryan accused the Executive Office of campaigning their own plan. This situation with the ABLI is a complete mess, and it's both the faults of Mangano and Ryan. Mangano needed to shut this guy up immediately, and Ryan needs to live up to his organizations name and stop spewing lies about the plan just because he was not chosen to develop the land. It's immature, it's unnecessary, and it hurts Long Island and the people that live there.

AT: A real estate mogul looking to cash in for his own profit? Unheard of! I'm glad Mangano is finally going on the offensive about this. With 2 weeks till the vote, we can't let someone like Ryan sway any undecided minds. If he is the leader of the opposition (even if not in an official post), he needs to be silenced as the only thing we've heard from him has been nothing but lies.

CH: Finally, a report in Newsday finally came out about the economic effects of the Islanders leaving Nassau County. It's exactly what we have been waiting for, and the details are out in plain view. The County cannot afford to lose close to $250 million in tax revenue each year. Plain and simple, every dollar counts here, and the Islanders are a big contributor to helping the dollars flow in. With no tenant in the Nassau Coliseum, it's doors will close very soon after the Isles leave. It's clear that losing the Islanders has more implications than just a civic pride issue.

Overall, this situation has become messy. And I expect it to get messier as we get closer and closer to the vote. All I know is the Isles PR machine better be out in full force, because this is too important to let it slip away.

AT: It's about time. The stats are on the table. It should be a very simple vote: have your taxes go up substantially and permanently, or have them go up for a very short time and then have the money given back and more over the years. It's your choice, Nassau. Make the smart one. Time to hammer home that point in commercials, radio ads, and lots and lots of fliers.

Arena: NY Daily News Editorial

An editorial in the New York Daily News today, which you can find here, came out with more misinformation about Ed Mangano and Charles Wang's plan to re-develop the Nassau Coliseum and it's surrounding areas. 

CH: To start, the author (who is anonymous) failed to realize that both the Mets and Yankees used public funds to construct Citi Field and Yankee Stadium, respectively. Secondly, the Islanders have already offered to cover all the overages regarding the arena AND have offered to be 70% of the debt service without a cent that enters the new Nassau Coliseum. But everyone reading this blog knows that.

Here we are in another situation where misinformation is being spread. Here we are in another situation where excuses are being made as to why we should not act. And here we are in another situation where an author recommends the growth of Nassau County should continue to stagnate. That is why I brought this editorial onto the blog. Not because the facts are right (they aren't), but to show the ignorance of authors that think they have the answers to anything (doing nothing), when the real answer is standing in front of their face.

The bigger question is why the Daily News, a newspaper with integrity, decided to post on this, but that's for another day. The fact is these are the articles we will see for the next month, and it's up to us to start discrediting the wrong information and start informing those with the facts. Because the facts are what is going to get this arena built, and the facts are what will keep our New York Islanders in Nassau County.

AT: The comments section seems to be rife with people on our side, so I suppose that's one positive to take out of it. But the fact that the NYDN, a paper which is supposedly credible, would put up an article like this is ridiculous. They should be ashamed of themselves. This is precisely why I avoid the NYDN and the Post like the plague.  People will NEVER be happy with this. It wasn't good enough that Wang wanted to pay for his first project entirely on his own. Now that he can't do that, he's doing it in a way that will pay back taxpayers and ensure the consistency of NVMC revenue for 30 more years after 2015. It's no surprise that this "editorial", if you can even call it that, was made anonymously. Any journalist who did this little fact checking should be banned from any credible paper. It's time to hit up the PR machine, Mr. Wang. Get commercials out, send out fliers, stage rallies. Do whatever you need to do. We all hate when something so important to us gets mucked up in the political arena, but that is the reality of the situation. Don't let others do this for you. The time of lethargy is over. Wang, the Islanders, and all of us reading this are going to be responsible for getting this done.

Draft: Final Predictions; Live Blog Tonight Starts at 5 PM

The day has finally come. The NHL draft is upon us and at the current moment, the Islanders are set to pick 5th overall. No one name has come into complete solidification yet so we away anxiously who the Islanders will pick, or if they move their pick for an already NHL-caliber player.

AT: As we've discussed on the blog and on podcasts, I don't expect nor do I hope the Islanders will trade the pick for anyone other than a true NHL player. I believe they will draft one of Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Strome or Sean Couturier. Personally, I'm expecting the top 5 to go something like this:

1. Oilers - Nugent-Hopkins
2. Avalanche - Larsson
3. Panthers - Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Devils - Gabriel Landeskog
5. Islanders - Dougie Hamilton

We shall see. It's been a fun ride up to the draft and now we're finally there. For those going, look for me in an '07-08 Away jersey with "Tessler" and the number 17 on the back. I'll be with Carey liveblogging the event. Hope to see you all there!

CH: There's been plenty of rumor and plenty of conjecture for the past two months about if the Islanders will trade up, trade down, trade the pick for a player, or just pick. Don't forget the Islanders have becomes masters at smokescreens and deceiving the media and fans on who they are picking. It happened in 2009 with John Tavares, and it happened in 2010 when everyone thought they were going to take Cam Fowler or Brandon Gormley. I believe that it's happening again, and the Isles don't have as much interest in Dougie Hamilton as perceived. No question if Hamilton is the pick, it will be a worthy one and would fill a great organizational need. But I do think they will pick a center to be the complement to John Tavares for years to come. I believe the top 5 will shake out like this:

1. Oilers - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Avalanche - Adam Larsson
3. Panthers - Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Devils - Gabriel Landeskog
5. Islanders - Ryan Strome

It should be a fun night at the Coliseum. Were both looking forward to it. Hope to see you there!

Arena: Wang and Mangano Reveal Nassau Coliseum Plan

Today at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Islanders owner Charles Wang and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano released the financial data of the plan that would build the New York Islanders and Nassau County a new arena. The press release can be found on the Islanders official website, and more details can be found on Newsday.

CH: So much to discuss here. First off, they FINALLY released this information, and it was worth the wait. This plan is much better than I expected - to outline, the Islanders will pay Nassau County a guaranteed $14 million per year ($420 million over the life of the contract), along with 11.5% of all revenues from all events at the new arena. That includes everything from pretzels, tickets, beer etc. It's now projected, if the new arena does not make a dime, that each household will see an increase in property tax of less than $20 per year. However, the projections state the new arena will make over $1.2 billion in revenues, which should pay off the entire thing. This is an absolute sweetheart deal for Nassau County. There's just no other way to put it. I'm certainly a little more optimistic than I was going into today, but we'll see what previous detractors have to say about it tomorrow.

AT: Awesome job by Wang and Mangano today. I was surprised honestly, but my faith has been restored in Mr. Wang and Mr. Mangano. By allowing the County 11.5% of the revenues which will cover the tax expenses and more, this plan really should not be hated by anybody. This is the perfect situation for everyone. Well done, Wang-ano.

CH: As we knew before, the Islanders will be staying on Long Island until at least 2045 under this agreement. There will be 3,000 permanent jobs and over 1,000 temporary construction jobs created. It was also confirmed today that the demolition of the current Nassau Coliseum will be included in the $350 million bond. Charles Wang has also agreed to pay any overruns over the $350 million number, so there will be no further burden on the taxpayer whatsoever. Those are two huge answers to very legitimate questions proposed by some members of the Legislature.

AT: And if the Isles leave, it's the taxpayers who will be paying for the demolition. Just something to keep in mind. Good for Wang to ensure the voters that anything over what is promised in the $350m will be paid for by him. I really hope we see a true, state of the art arena.

CH: The one thing we didn't hear about is a comparison report on what would happen if the Islanders left, which is something I would still like to say. However, with the increase in property tax essentially negligible, it may not even matter that much. Still, it's something that would be nice to see. That said, the appeasement of ABLI and the Town of Hempstead yesterday means there are already powerful people on board. The only other negative I could see from this plan is that the payback period won't start until three years after borrowing. That means that there will be a little bit more of a tax increase in that time, but in the long-term it becomes moot. Like Wang said at the end of the press conference, this is about future generations of Long Island - not just today's.

AT: Absolutely. Long term for the Island is the most important thing here. Yes, taxes will go up a very minor amount in the short term, but all of that will come back - and more! 11.5% over 30 years, especially with a team that has a returning fanbase and a rising team, is nothing but good news for Nassau residents.

CH: From here, the campaign officially begins from the Islanders/Nassau County standpoint. The Islanders will have voter registration at their draft party on Friday. Nassau County is going to hold public meetings on the benefits of this plan as soon as next week and through the month of July. The Islanders are also going to be creating a website with all pertinent information about the Coliseum plan. These are all great marketing techniques. But now it's up to us. This vote is of extreme importance and we must show NIFA and the Legislature that this plan should go through. And that will happen with a landslide victory on August 1.

AT: The voter registration at the draft party is huge. Last thing we need is younger fans going to the booth to find out they haven't registered. Get everyone who can vote and is willing to vote yes out there, spread fliers, post signs, scream it on the highway at passing cars. Okay, maybe not that last part. But I really hope the Islanders have a damn good PR firm ready for this. They'll need it to ensure their future. 

Arena: Wang and Mangano to Announce Arena Plans Tomorrow

According to Newsday, Charles Wang and Ed Mangano are set to announce the lease agreement and other financial estimations regarding the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum tomorrow. The following is the press release, as posted by B.D. Gallof on Twitter:

"Uniondale, NY, June 21, 2011 Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano will be joined by New York Islanders Owner Charles Wang at a press conference, Wednesday, June 22nd at 11:00 a.m. Together, Mangano and Wang will announce that they have reached an agreement that takes an important step forward, creating a new world-class sports-entertainment destination in Nassau County, including the retention of the NY Islanders - Long Islands only major professional sports team. An independent economist and lease negotiators will be on hand to address details of an economic analysis and lease related to the new arena."

CH: Well, here we are...finally. I have to admit I'm pretty nervous about this, mostly because I'm worried about how Wang and Mangano are going to conduct themselves when the tough questions are asked. But we have to stay positive here and hope that the numbers will add up. If they do, most of the detractors should be quiet. Yes, we may have to deal with more political posturing, but if the plan works it won't matter. This is a huge day for the New York Islanders. Without more details, it's hard to make any comments on this other than the fact that this is a huge day. It took them long enough but it's here, so just like with the Lighthouse, we have to forget the past and only focus on what is ahead of us.

AT: I remain an optimist in hoping that Wang and Mangano have used the past couple of weeks to prepare for this and to ready themselves for the difficult questions on rising taxes, and to hammer home the cost difference of a new arena versus the Islanders leaving Long Island. This is their time... don't screw it up.

In other news today, Newsday is reporting the Town of Hempstead approved a more flexible zoning plan which will allow for "residential, retail, entertainment, parking, office, hotel, restaurant or a new or refurbished Coliseum." While it's said this rezoning has nothing to do with the Wang/Mangano plan to build a new Coliseum, it does give more freedom for development once the arena is built.

CH: This is all fine and good. Like we touched on yesterday, in the short-term, what we will see is just the Coliseum and the parking lot. But this rezoning allows for long-term development on the site, so we won't have to deal with the problems the Lighthouse problems dealt with. While this doesn't affect the area in the short-term, the long-term outlook of the site is brighter.

AT: Definitely. The arena right now is pretty bland with not much surrounding it. Let's get the arena done first and then worry about making it all pretty afterwards.
 

Arena: Wang Will Have Control of Land

Zimbio

According to Randi Marshall at Newsday, Charles Wang will have control of the 77-acre land that surrounds and includes the Nassau Coliseum. As per the referendum, the new arena and ballpark will be built first with a standard parking lot. From there, future mixed-use is still a possibility, subject to a new RFP process. In return for control, Wang will share revenue with the County, though it's unknown exactly how much at this time. 

CH: There's a bunch of different parts to this. First, I've read people are nervous that no development will ever come of this. I can't deny that possibility, but subjecting the land to a new RFP process appeases the Association for Better Long Island and Kate Murray and her Town of Hempstead cronies. It means the Coliseum and ballpark will be built first, and development can spur up afterwards, which would be fine. The Lighthouse (Lite) was never going to be built by 2015. We were told the referendum would include funding to build an arena and ballpark, and nothing else. That's exactly what we're getting. From there, it's up to Charles Wang, who we know wants to develop the area.

The surface parking makes sense because it will give Nassau County a bigger profit margin in the short-term. In the article, it says it will cost $25,000 per space with a parking garage - adding up to $175 million. In a time like this, that's not feasible or smart. In the long-term, it's obvious a garage must be built there. But only have more development gets built, otherwise you're wasting a ton of money. With the rumor the team is going to charge $20 for parking at hockey games down the road (they already have been for other events), the profit margin will be way higher.

There is no doubt that Mangano and Wang have not done the best job with this plan. We still have no idea what the numbers are going to say, and that will be the dealbreaker or the thing that puts this through. That needs to come out now, especially as we near the end of June. All we know is that Wang will control the land and there will be no original development with the Coliseum and ballpark. And that's okay, but that can't be the long-term plan. It's clear they want to get the arena done first for two reasons: 1) It's the most urgent. The Islanders lease is up in 4 years, and the team needs a building. So construction needs to start now. 2) It's also the most biggest and most important part of the plan. You always build the biggest thing first. And development will come from a new arena, but it won't come from a broken down Coliseum or an empty piece of land. They are right in how the plan needs to be done, but the devil will be in the details.

AT: To be honest, all that really matters to me right now is the arena. No, they haven't done a very good job with everything else and we don't even know what the new Coliseum will look like, but right now the new Coliseum is my (and everyone else's) main concern. Everything else can be worked out at a later date. A parking garage will absolutely be necessary especially as the Islanders rise up through the ranks, but right now we need to stay focused on what's most important. If the new arena isn't passed on August 1st, the Islanders are gone, so everything else kind of takes a back seat to the arena at this point. I'd love for Wang to develop the arena - I thought the concept designs for the Lighthouse at LI were beautiful and ambitious. It will happen in time. Let's get the arena done right now and focus on everything else after.

As a side note: Randi Marshall tweeted this morning there will be a vote on a less dense zone for the Coliseum. She called the process "straightforward" when I asked her if there was anything else. So this should pass fairly easily, I'm assuming. We'll update that later.

Vote YES: The Campaign Has Started

In light of all of the negativity we have seen in recent days through publications, critics, and opponents, the Vote YES campaign has been given a great opportunity. We are starting a grass-roots marketing campaign, which will stem from our Twitter and Facebook accounts. Our goal is to get the names of everyone who is committed to voting YES on August 1. This list will then be forwarded to the Nassau County legislature and NIFA for their consideration.

We ask for your name and address, with this pledge to vote yes on August 1. “I pledge to vote FOR the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum site and development of a minor league ballpark on August 1, 2011.”

You can send these e-mails to voteyesnyiarena@gmail.com, We understand and respect your privacy, so if you are concerned, please do not feel obligated to do this. We ask for 2 simple ground rules:

1) If you are not a Nassau Resident, please do not send us anything. You can still help though! It doesn’t have to be just your name. Family members, friends are all encouraged!

2) Do not give us fake addresses or names. We understand that NIFA can check the validity of the information given. We do not want the validity of this to be ruined. But feel free to send us as many names and addresses as you want, as long as they are real.

Again, do not feel obligated to participate. It’s encouraged, as we need all the help we can get, but we respect your privacy.

Thank You,

Alex Tessler & Carey Haber

Arena: Newsday Reports Coliseum Plan Will Raise Taxes $58 Per Year

Randi Marshall of Newsday is reporting analysis that the plan to redevelop the Nassau Coliseum will cost each household $58 per year. This number is based on the original investment as well as interest on the project. The complete plan is supposed to be released sometime this month by County Executive Ed Mangano and Islanders Owner Charles Wang.

New York Islanders

CH: We've been saying it for weeks, but this is why the plan needs to be released...now. The article in Newsday is slanted negatively, which has been par for the course recently. The fact is that if this $58 per year is true, it's not bad at all. Many will argue that Nassau taxpayer don't want to pay a penny more than they already do. That's 100% true. Realistically, you're looking at one meal for a family of four. You're looking at 3 one-way trips to Penn Station on the LIRR. You're looking at less than $5 a month, which means you won't get your Starbucks twice. It can and will work if the people of Nassau County make it work. Still, it's $58 that a lot of people won't want to spend.

AT: The argument will inevitably be: "But if this happens, what's to stop the bankrupt county from adding even more taxes?". I respond with a very simple retort: what's to stop the bankrupt county from adding an unimaginable amount of taxes from lost revenue on the Coliseum if it's demolished with no replacement?

CH: So in reality the big picture needs to be looked at here. That includes the result of the Islanders leaving. That's going to be a huge argument for either the opponents or proponents of this project. If the Islanders leaving and the Nassau Coliseum closing its doors means a higher tax increase, even in the short-term, it will be easy to sell this to the Nassau resident. Quite frankly, my opinion is that since the Islanders are the one non-shopping major revenue source for Nassau County, the economic benefits of having them around for Long Island are a lot higher than practically every other city/municipality in the United States.   All these cities have industry and corporate business. Long Island doesn't have that anymore, but they do have the Coliseum. So can the County really afford to lose $60-75 million in tax dollars from events held there? I don't think they can, at least comparatively to other cities.

AT: And that's what we need to hammer home. People need to look to the future, not just the short term for a project like this. Once more just another reason why the details need to be released now, and the longer Mangano and Wang wait, the longer the opposition will spread misinformation with no backing.

CH: That's going to be the major sticking point here. All we have right now are rumor and conjecture. We need absolutes, and soon. Attitudes are extremely hard to change and with each passing day and each negative article, more negative attitudes are being formed. It's time to get the ball rolling. It's time to show the residents of Nassau County than the Islanders mean a whole lot more to the area than just a team with four Stanley Cups won 30 years ago.

External Links: Islandermania     Vote YES Facebook     Vote YES Twitter

Arena: We Have To Rally The Troops

While we wait for the plan for the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum site to be released, it's time to start the process of rallying the residents of Nassau County. Nick Giglia from Let There Be Light(house) made a very interesting post today regarding the obstacles and what we would potentially need to happen on August 1 for this to go through.

CH: Nick's blog is a must read. One of the main points he drives home is that this referendum is going to have to win in a landslide. I think that's something we all kind of knew intrinsically, but maybe did not want to admit before. If this vote is only a 55-45 split, it's not going to be enough for both a supermajority in legislature and for NIFA to put the go-ahead through. And that's especially true because of the low voter turnout that's sure to occur. As Nick said in the article, Nassau turnout in these types of elections is awful. The Islander fans and unions have the potential to dominate the vote, but that means there cannot be any apathy. It's the number one point that needs to be driven home. If you are available to vote on August 1, you have to do it. Get friends, family, friends of the family - everyone you can to that ballot box.

AT: Exactly. Everyone needs to go into this thinking that their vote will matter - because it will! Everyone who is voting will help. This isn't a general election for president where if you're voting in a typically blue/red state your vote means very little. This is a highly contested issue and every vote will matter, especially with a lower turnout.

CH: The problem is we don't know what this plan really consists of yet. Furthermore, when it is released, the plan needs to make sense. I'm not naive - if the plan doesn't add up and is a sure-fire loss for Nassau County, I won't be able to justify the push. What's crushing during this process is that we don't know anything, but that doesn't mean we can't prepare for the best. For this to work, we're going to have to.

AT: The sooner this plan comes out, the better. We were told mid-June. Well, it's June 14th... let's get the ball rolling.

Arena: Validity of August 1 Vote Questioned

Both Newsday and the Long Island Press are reporting that the August 1 referendum regarding the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum and its surrounding areas may be illegal under New York State Law. The main argument seems to be a matter of whether the referendum is binding or non-binding (advisory). 

Charles Wang and Ed Mangano are expect to release their plans for the Coliseum this month.

CH: I needed a few hours to wrap my head around this. There's a lot of parts involved in a major development deal like this, and a lot of different angles to look at. The fact is Charles Wang and Ed Mangano have not been transparent enough to this point. They have preached it, but they haven't delivered yet. I can only hope that every possible question is answered when this plan comes out (which needs to come as soon as possible), because the assumptions and misinformation is getting out of control. The fact this referendum's legality is now in question after the legislature has voted on it is unacceptable. This stuff needed to be checked and double-checked with the County Attorney General before any of this came out. However, at the same time, one would have to believe that was done. So where is this argument coming from?

AT: Perhaps they need yet another press conference. Outline the vote, what the arena will be like, how it will be paid for in very direct, coherent language that everyone can understand. 

CH: We are now in a situation where we are dealing with "legal issues," a public vote, a legislature vote, NIFA, and ABLI (featured again in the Newsday article) asking for a new RFP on the site. That's what needed to be expected - especially with no plan released a month after the original press conference. We've heard tidbits such as Wang paying all overages on the Coliseum and the Islanders signing a lease for 30 years. It's not enough though. Attitudes are extremely hard to change, and while the Islander fans and unions are doing their part, it's time for the leading parties to put forth a PR campaign.

AT: It's definitely going to take a very large PR campaign to get the misinformation out and the facts in. Again, I think another press conference that truly entails what the plan will involve is absolutely essential to quiet the critics and dash out a lot of the incorrect information.

CH: Still, we have to stay optimistic. Admitting defeat because of a couple of newspaper articles cannot be accepted. Everyone reading this wants this Coliseum project to be completed. We can lead the charge, and we have to.

AT: Absolutely. Every big plan like this will at one point face speed bumps. We simply need to combat misinformation and get our word spread as far out as possible.

External Links: Islandermania

Arena: The Fox Business Network Disaster

CH: Fox Business is holding a special on their network all day as part of "Red Ink" that is chronicling the pros and cons of the Nassau Coliseum site. Unfortunately, they have only seemed to focus on the negatives.

AT: I'll dissect this as Carey goes along.

CH: The first guest they had on was Mike Picker, the senior vice president of the New York Islanders. The reporter, Adam Shapiro, asked Picker legitimate questions about the project. Let's face it, no information has been released so there is not much for anyone to go on right now. Picker explained the best course of action was to go into a debt service through public financing. He explained the economic benefits are better this way as each dollar that goes into the Coliseum will be paid back to the taxpayers. The reporter then referred to Picker as Kevin, forgetting his name. Unprofessional, but it is what it is. To be frank, there was not much to be upset about through this interview. Picker handled himself well, as the questions about the benefits of a publicly funded arena are fair.

AT: Picker did a good job with tough questions faced with little info around right now. Perhaps this interview would have been a lot better after the mid-June date that Mangano promised the information on the new Coliseum. With that, I think Fox could create some legitimate, fact based questions and Picker would've been able to quell the rumors and misinformation. Though as an addict of things political my whole life, I know that's next to impossible in some cases.

CH: In the next hour, Fox Business brought on County Executive Ed Mangano. Again, fair questions were asked to Mangano. The County Executive stated that the Nassau Coliseum will close in 2015 if nothing gets accomplished there. To go along with that, Nassau County will lose jobs and revenue, which is worse than the status quo. He said the plan works because the voters will get a percentage of gross revenue that the facility takes in, which is what Picker said as well. Finally, Mangano said the Plan B if this doesn't go through is to potentially have another RFP period, but without a Coliseum. Again, all fair questions and Mangano handled himself surprisingly well compared to recent interviews.

AT: Mangano seemed prepared. He's really taking some heat from some very misinformed people. That's the life of a politician, I suppose. Mangano is, as we all have been, trying to get the facts out there in any way he possibly can.

CH: Finally, Fox Business brought on Desmond Ryan, our friend from the Association for Better Long Island. Based on what he said in Chris Botta's interview and in Newsday, it's known by now this guy is only it in for himself and not for Long Island. Ryan's plentiful misinformed opinions included that he believes the Islanders won't necessarily be leaving Long Island if they don't get a new building. He also referenced that since the Thrashers moved with a relatively new building, the same could happen to the Islanders. Finally, he said he's not sure the building will pay for itself, which to be fair is a valid point since no numbers have been released.

AT: It's almost laughable how misinformed this guy is. How long do people think the Isles will really stay at NVMC? 'Till the walls start crumbling down, as John Mellencamp aptly sang? The Isles are gone if this doesn't happen. Wang has already made it known he's explored non-Nassau/Suffolk locations and seemed quite intent on moving. And the comparison with the Thrashers is a joke. This is a team with a fanbase that HAS supported the team in years past. The Thrashers fanbase was always relatively non-existant. It's a terrible analogy.

CH: Getting back to his first two points though: How irresponsible could Fox Business be on this matter? Had they done any research on the matter, they would know there is a 30-year lease for the Islanders attached to the new Coliseum. They would also know that Commissioner Bettman and Islanders Owner Charles Wang have said more than a number of times the Islanders are not going to play in that building one minute more than they have to. Had they done any research, such as going to Long Island's newspaper or going to the most popular Islander blog on the Internet, they would have seen Ryan's true intentions.

AT: It's typical mainstream "news" media, sad to say. Pretty much all I can say on that.

CH: This feature on the Nassau Coliseum project did not outline any advantages, just faults. Now, a lot of that has to do with the fact Wang and Mangano have not released any formal details on the project. It's been more than a month after the initial press conference was held. That is just as irresponsible. However, in the interest of fairness for all parties, Fox Business was better off waiting on this story until the plan came out. They didn't do that. All I know is this feature did not help the Islanders, it did not help Mangano, and it did not help Long Island. Wang and Mangano need to release their plan - and soon, or the negative articles will continue to get worse.

AT: Well, we all know bad news gets higher ratings than good news. It's a shame, but it's the way it is. Absolutely agreed with Carey on this, it's only helped to rile up negativity that's mostly based on misinformation. The sooner this information comes out, and the more elaborate and detailed it is the better. 

Credit on the Desmond Ryan interview: Snowman39 from Islandermania
For tweets on the Picker and Mangano interviews please follow us @VoteYESNYIArena

Arena: Mangano Wants Light Rail To Coliseum?

According to the Garden City Patch, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano is currently going over plans to add a Long Island Rail Road station behind the Stop & Shop on Old Country Road. The stop would fall in between the Mineola and Carle Place stations and would not pass through Garden City at all. There would then be a shuttle bus service to the Nassau Coliseum and it's surrounding areas.

CH: This is fantastic news. Apparently the track and line is already set up and all they would need to create is the platform. The station would most likely be on the Hicksville/Huntington/Ronkonkoma line, as they all run through Mineola and Carle Place. There are two great things about this: 1) Mangano is trying to solve the public transportation issue to the Coliseum without infringing on Garden City and their NIMBYism. 2) Mangano is trying to get all groups and civic leaders on board with the referendum by appeasing those that need to be appeased. Potentially, having an LIRR station would be great for those commuting from Manhattan and the NYC area for attending shows, which would increase foot traffic at the HUB. We'll see if this story gains any traction over the next few weeks.

AT: Absolutely awesome. Let's hope this gets through. One of the biggest things for the Rangers, IMO, is being right above Penn Station. Such easy access for everyone from Westchester/Metro-North areas, New Jersey and Long Island. Having a really convenient LIRR stop with shuttle access would be HUGE in a revitalization of the Islanders and getting fans back to the NVMC (and new arena if it happens). Create easy access to the Coliseum and I bet you'd see attendance rise even if the team doesn't do as well as we expect it to. Really hoping this goes through.

External Link: Islandermania

Arena: Fox Business to Hold Special Report on Coliseum Plan

Dan Janison from Newsday is reporting that Fox Business will be coming to Long Island next Wednesday to hold a special report on the plan for the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum. The program will run sometime between 9:20 a.m. and 8 p.m. and will contain a debate with pros and cons about the plan and government spending in a bankrupt county.

CH: Oh, well this should be interesting to say the least. Count me in as one who does not have their hopes up for this. While it's true FOX generally slants towards the GOP, it needs to be remembered that paying for an arena with seemingly public funds are not what the party generally believes in. This county certainly operates backwards in the sense that the Republicans are for what Democrats generally believe it and vice versa. I'm intrigued to see the report but I'm not hopeful at all it will be positive, especially since the plan has not been released yet and all that is being circulated is conjecture and rumor. Like I said yesterday, expect more negativity than positivity through publications. Word of mouth is going to be the main driver for this referendum to pass the public opinion stage.

AT: I can already tell what's going to happen. It's going to be "A broke county asking for a $400m arena!" as the headline or main pushing point. No explanation of details, no real fact searching, nothing. No explanation that without Coliseum revenue, the county will dive even further into the hole, that a new arena would provide the county with a major destination for large scale concerts and events, etc. I'm normally an optimist... but I don't see this one going our way.

External Links: Islandermania     Vote YES Facebook     Vote YES Twitter

Arena: LI Herald Editorial Wonders Why NVMC Plan Is Rushed

An editorial published today in the Long Island Herald wonders why the plan to redevelop the Nassau Coliseum and its surrounding area is being rushed to completion. A major complaint in the article says the required information has not been released at this point. The author also defended Legislator Wayne Wink's proposed amendment to move the referendum back to Election Day, which is November 8. The end of the editorial reads as follows:

There’s no denying that shorter-term construction jobs would help county laborers and related tradesmen and their families, and that in turn would help fill the county’s coffers with sales tax revenue. We are not dismissing those as positive accomplishments. But development at the Hub needs long-term vision, and we don’t see the promised grand improvement in this unspecific plan. More of the same is not what Nassau County needs.

CH: Get used to these articles because this is going to be par for the course from detractors leading up to the August 1st vote. Thankfully, no "formal" opposition has spawn yet. However, there are still very legitimate concerns outlined in the article that need to be addressed, such as the lack of information released so far. Charles Wang and County Executive Ed Mangano have stated details of the Coliseum plan will be released sometime this month. Expect those details to be scrutinized. While the County eagerly awaits these details, it's comments like the excerpted paragraph that show how close-minded some residents in Nassau County are. The Islanders signing a lease for thirty years with a new arena is a long-term vision for that site. A minor league ballpark is a long-term vision for that site. Smaller scale redevelopment of the rest of the site is sure to follow after construction is completed of the main components. Pushing this project through is exactly the opposite of what has been status quo at that site for years. It's time to bring Long Island into the 21st century.

AT: The Lighthouse would've been a great "long term vision" for the county that wouldn't have cost the town a cent. Housing, shopping, a new arena and a major tourist location. Wang didn't want this current plan, he just settled for it. He wanted the entire area redeveloped because he LOVES Long Island and wants his team to succeed. I honestly have to wonder sometimes if certain people just live to contradict others..

For more arena discussion, please visit our Vote YES campaign's Facebook and Twitter pages.
For a look at Nick Giglia's post today on Let There Be Light(House), visit his blog here.