Comments on Let There Be Light(house): The Election, The Lighthouse, and You

PK - not a dumb question, and I am very sorry. La...

2009-11-09T16:23:35.782-05:00

PK - not a dumb question, and I am very sorry. Last week was crazy for me ("real life" calling at every turn), and I had a few emails (including yours) I resolved to answer to day.

The project is largely supported by citizens, labor unions, elected officials, and the like, but unfortunately it's not that simple. The opposition has come from a scattering of people and groups in and around the local area, but nothing that should at this point derail things. The big reason this hasn't gone through yet is because we are in a state-mandated environmental review process that hasn't finished yet. Once that is squared away we can move into the meat of negotiations (lease) and ultimately get an answer (re-zoning).

The Lighthouse chart on the bottom of the main page is a great place to start - it shows what needs to be done between where we are now and where we want to be (shovels in the ground).

New post coming tonight - I will out-nerd myself in discussing exactly what's up with the Lighthouse Project as things currently stand.

hi Nick. I emailed you previously, but i dont thin...

2009-11-09T15:04:31.786-05:00

hi Nick. I emailed you previously, but i dont think i got a reply, so i'm trying your blog.
I just had a really dumb question that i'm asking out of all seriousness. If there are so many for this project, including people in the govt positions and citizens, why isn't this getting a go? Which are the actual groups that are opposing this project? Thank You.
-Pk.

You're not.

2009-11-07T15:04:49.166-05:00

You're not.

So, am I crazzy for still believing the Lighthouse...

2009-11-07T12:30:56.287-05:00

So, am I crazzy for still believing the Lighthouse Project will get done in the end.

Hi Mike - glad to meet you. Honestly, as a hockey...

2009-11-06T18:06:33.258-05:00

Hi Mike - glad to meet you. Honestly, as a hockey fan, if the Lighthouse falls through I hope Queens is more serious about luring them than they've acted so far. In the meantime, the current project (which, as I'll elaborate in later pieces), the owner seems to overwhelmingly favor, isn't dead, and I've heard a lot of things about Queens that lead me to believe it's not as simple as many people who are tired of this saga hope it is. I hope there is a good resolution here.

Nick - My name is Mike, I am the first Anon to pos...

2009-11-06T17:24:26.281-05:00

Nick - My name is Mike, I am the first Anon to post not the 2nd (I can't firgue out how to post my name). I am a big supporter of the LH Project, don't get me wrong on that. I just feel for the Islanders sake, they would be much better off in Queens. They are closer to NYC, close to mass transit (how the Coliseum was built without it is a mystery),etc. In no ways do I think it is a slam dunk but IMO if the Islanders did wind up in Queens they would be alot better off in the long run then they would be in Uniondale.

I don't think Queens is a slam dunk, but the L...

2009-11-06T10:48:13.432-05:00

I don't think Queens is a slam dunk, but the LHP is dead. What are the alternatives? No fan, no blogger can put cold water on Willets Point. Until the Isles are in Quebec, Willets Point remains the only option. The LHP is a pipe dream...unless CWB negotiates, which of course he won't.

Listen, Anon - the hockey fans in all of us want a...

2009-11-05T23:17:55.884-05:00

Listen, Anon - the hockey fans in all of us want a solution for the New York Islanders that will keep them where they belong. I'm not saying that Queens shouldn't be an option; it just frustrates the hell out of me that so many people blithely say "go to Queens" without the slightest understanding that this isn't some slam dunk.

First of all, I don't see the team as being held hostage by a real estate development at all. This was the only way to get it done without public funding, as I now proved twice, with real numbers and research on the blog.

Second, I hope you saw my interview with Ed Mangano where he repeatedly endorsed the Lighthouse Project. The Project is politicized, but that's partly because the Republicans in Hempstead and the Democrats in Nassau could blame each other rather than actually doing something to move the thing forward. A County and Town controlled by the same party no longer have that excuse, and it's all down to will we get it done or not.

Third of all, Queens is just not a slam dunk, nor is Brooklyn. Charles Wang has repeatedly spoken about how long the project has taken; do you really think he would want to submit a bid he might not win somewhere else and wait another 5 years for ground-breaking? Besides, the city wouldn't provide any new subsidies, especially after the anger from the new baseball stadiums. This would be trading land deal for land deal. Queens has a higher profile, an embattled mayor, a Chamber of Commerce person who spouts off about the Islanders to get attention, and local opposition that make our friends at the Eastern Property Owners' Association look like child's play.

I just hope we can move forward with our eyes open. As I said, BD and I are both working on a lot of material related to this, so please stay tuned for that.

Long Island sucks and as a 26 year old I have no d...

2009-11-05T21:16:35.020-05:00

Long Island sucks and as a 26 year old I have no desire to move back anymore. I am content on living in North Jersey or moving to NYC. Far more to do for folks between 25-35 years old. As for the LH Project, it would be a wonderful thing for Long Island, it is a shame it is in political hell and shows no signs of coming out. As for the Islanders, it has gotten to the point where this team would be so much better off in Queens. Pro sports teams belong within city limits, and if you look soley at the Islanders, they should not be held hostage by a real estate deal or Long Island politics. Go to Willets Point.

NYDan - thanks for the comment, and the compliment...

2009-11-05T11:39:09.370-05:00

NYDan - thanks for the comment, and the compliment. I realize now that my initial wording was a bit awkward; I agree with you that Corzine and Deeds were destined to lose because one was unpopular and the other was an awful campaigner....that doesn't mean as much for the President as the congressional elections will next year. As for the Town of Hempstead....McElroy never caught on as a candidate.

Anon - we all need to get off the Willets Point stuff. BD and myself are working on some stuff that will throw a little cold water in the face of everyone thinking that Queens is a slam dunk.

Anthony - it sucks, but the cold hard truth is that the Lighthouse Project was not a galvanizing issue for many people. They were content to blame Tom Suozzi for tax rates he doesn't set (the school taxes), and since town services were still being provided most just reflexively voted for Kate.

It's clear now what would have to be done to topple an incumbent as entrenched as Murray - either a scandal, a massive fundraising push, or a galvanizing issue.

Stay tuned for more posts in the coming days about this issue. Ironically, one-party rule might be the best thing for all involved.

What a joke. Long Island once again fails at epic ...

2009-11-04T19:36:23.187-05:00

What a joke. Long Island once again fails at epic proportions. This is why I'm happy I don't live there anymore cause nothing seems to change at all. If kate murray and her minions kill the lighthouse project, you people of Long Island will also have to take some blame for putting that sea cow back in power for another 2 years.

The next act is CW submitting (or not submitting) ...

2009-11-04T16:48:31.709-05:00

The next act is CW submitting (or not submitting) his desire to develop the available property in Willits Point. That will be the next significant moment.

Nick, great article. The exit polls from NJ &...

2009-11-04T15:39:37.663-05:00

Nick, great article. The exit polls from NJ & VA clearly showed those races were not a referendum on the President. Corzine's job approval numbers were in the 30's. Its tough to win with those numbers. Corzine promised to lower prop taxes & obviously they went up. The Dem VA candidate ran a horrible campaign. The Nassau democrats should have replaced McElroy & ran a tough campaign against Murray. I believe it would take 1.5- 2 million dollars to defeat Murray & her machine. This is why the Dems don't have a chance to win the Supervisor seat.

With both parties running pro-lighthouse, I think ...

2009-11-04T12:42:47.721-05:00

With both parties running pro-lighthouse, I think that people didnt know who the hell to vote for if they were "pro".

As far as the turnout goes, I am not surprised but am nontheless disgusted with the voters of Long Island.