Arena: What Comes Next?

It's been a little over two weeks since the August 1 referendum was handily defeated. Since then, Nassau County has put out the start of an RFP process (Mangano was not apparently happy with the results). Three local municipalities - Brooklyn, Queens, and Suffolk County - have publicly expressed their interest in becoming the new home of the New York Islanders. And all the while, Islander fans are left wondering what comes next. 

Photo Credit: Newsday

CH: To be honest, it is hard to really determine the answer to that question. The Islanders certainly have local options, and it is important to remember that because come 2015 if there is still no answer, there will be blame to go around if the team leaves New York state (or even the Long Island landmass). To be honest, they have zero reason to leave the area. But one has to wonder what is going through the mind of owner Charles Wang right now.

Wang seems steadfast in trying to make it work with Nassau County. On one hand, the loyalty he has shown the Islanders' home for almost 40 years is admirable. But on the other hand, you have to wonder why. Wang has been at this for close to ten years, and we are left in an almost identical situation as we were in year 1 - except for the 800 pound elephant in the room. That is, the lease is expiring in four years, and counting.

I think it is certainly possible the Islanders come to some sort of solution in Nassau County. Whether it's getting in bed with the enemy (ABLI) or some sort of tax increase that the County imposes without bonding (very unlikely), it can be done. But Wang should not sit around and wait for that to happen. To be honest, he cannot wait. If Wang is true to his words, he is out of options...in Nassau. He should be publicly courting other local municipalities.

To start, there is Queens. The RFP for the Willets Point project was pushed back to September 9. Wang could partner up with another developer to build a mini-Lighthouse in Queens. To go along with that, there is plenty of space in the Citi Field parking lot to build a hockey arena. This would make the Willets Point-Mets area a year round destination, which is exactly what the Lighthouse project was meant to be. There is already zoning for an arena in the parking lot, and if the Mets could benefit from it, they would not be any sort of roadblock to stop it. The advantages to Queens are plenty: corporate support, accessibility from New York City and Long Island alike, partnership with one of the MLB's most valuable franchises, and increased exposure all around.

Of course, a second Long Island proper option is Suffolk County. The Heartland Project in Brentwood is going into the final stages of planning and *could* be ready to go in the near future. If the Wolkoff's want to involve Wang and the Islanders, a partnership could be formed. Steve Levy, Suffolk's lame duck County Executive has already stated he has had very preliminary discussions with Wang about moving the team one county east.

But can Suffolk work? Absolutely, if it is in Brentwood. Yes, it is about 30 minutes east of Uniondale. But much of the Islanders fanbase comes from Long Island proper. For the commuters, I would recommend moving game start times back a half hour to 7:30, but it would really be no different than operating out of Nassau County. There would be similar corporate support, a similar culture and fanbase, and a retention of "Long Island's team." It's an option that should seriously be explored.

Finally, there is Brooklyn, which is a very interesting case. To start, Brooklyn is the only municipality with a new arena in the midst of construction. However, while it can fit a hockey rink, only 14,500 seats will be open for viewing, many of which will have obstructed views. Secondly, it is the most inaccessible area on Long Island for Nassau and Suffolk residents to get to. Long Islanders like to drive places, and getting to Brooklyn in the middle of rush hour would not be high on anyone's list. However, the fact of the matter is that they are constructing an arena and it is a viable place for the Islanders due to that corporate support and increased exposure. But it should be treated only as a last resort: either Brooklyn or out of state. I take Brooklyn.

Overall, Wang and the Islanders have options. It's just a matter of actually exploring them. And if he does, the Islanders can put the pressure on Nassau and hopefully come to a conclusion once and for all.

AT: I feel that at this point, Nassau is done unless they come up with a total sweetheart deal for Wang. With Murray as the TOH supervisor, it's very difficult to see that happening in time for the Islanders. After both public and private options were denied, it's time for Wang to puff out his chest and show Nassau he means business. Clearly, the incompetency of the government has gotten to an all time high, and we as fans can not and should not stand for it, nor should Wang as the owner. It's put up or shut up time, Nassau County. Do you want the only professional team you will ever have to stay?

Suffolk is definitely a possibility, though the concern of corporate support as mentioned is definitely one that should be heavily looked into before any real plans are submitted. As a Suffolk resident I would gladly welcome the Islanders, I'm just not sure if it's the most economically viable, especially if we have a losing team. I don't really think people traveling a little extra if they're in Nassau would be that much of a concern if the start times are moved out and if people are dedicated to the team. Plenty of people make it to Mets, Yankees and Ranger games on a pretty constant basis even on weekdays during heavy work season, so I don't think it would be that much of a problem. Suffolk also keeps the Islanders on Long Island, which is great just in terms of pride. The Heartland project is a very, very large project, so if something solid can come out of it, it'd be fantastic.

Queens is most definitely an option and seems to be openly courting the Isles coming west, and as with Suffolk I don't think travel would be that much of a problem, and people would adjust just find. Corporate support should and probably would be fantastic and you'd be in a great and convenient location. There's just one problem with this, however... Queens is not Long Island. Geographically, sure.. but if I'm recalling the logo correctly, Queens isn't even on the logo, nor is Brooklyn. While I personally wouldn't really care as my beloved New York Jets don't even play in New York, I know many fans would be very upset by the "Islanders" essentially leaving "Long Island". Queens would be a great solution economically and for the long run, but I simply have to question if any fans would lose some of their "fandom" so to speak if Queens were to be the option. Yet, as Carey mentioned, if it's between Brooklyn, Queens or out of state, I take the former two options ten times out of ten.

Brooklyn however I do not see as a viable option. Yes, there is an arena pretty much almost completed, but the occupancy is low for hockey, Wang would be splitting tenancy with another owner, and getting there for Long Island residents would be a major hassle. It simply does not seem to line up. I would however be completely fine with the Islanders staying there for a season while a new arena is being built in Nassau, Suffolk or Queens. Besides that, it'd be very difficult for me to jump on the Brooklyn bandwagon unless the only other option was out of state.

We definitely need to hear something soon. I know Wang doesn't want the players to be distracted from arena business, but we as fans are VERY distracted. Many fans are still very upset about the vote, and while personally I will root as hard as I ever did this year for the team, I know there are fans who think this is the end and may be much less enthused. I really hope there's something going on behind the scenes. Time is ticking away, and 2015 will be here before we know it.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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Welcome to Islanders Central!

We, Alex Tessler and Carey Haber (Poseidon and Isles4Ever11 on the Islander Mania forum, respectively) are two diehard Islander fans attempting to bring you a fan's perspective on current situations in Islander country, around the league and other tidbits concerning hockey. We have both lived on Long Island our entire lives and have been Islander fans for many years now. We hope to give you a source to find news on your favorite team as well as a solid place to find a different opinion. We also run the "Vote YES" Facebook page and Twitter accounts. We are not affiliated with the New York Islanders or the National Hockey League in any way, shape or form. We are simply fans attempting to communicate with the rest of the hockey world. With that said, we welcome you to Islanders Central and hope to see you as a consistent guest on our blog!