After years of planning, it's time to vote YES on August 1st

Vision Long Island urges Nassau residents and businesses to support the Nassau Redevelopment bond vote

A message from Vision Long Island's Board of Directors:

After years of meetings planning the future of the Nassau HUB area, it is time to support the bond act that will refinance the Nassau Coliseum. Public financing of the arena allows the Islanders to stay on Long Island, preserves the tax base and provides the opportunity for mixed-use development and revitalization in the surrounding area.

For the many residents, civic associations, small businesses, chambers of commerce and other local organizations that supported the Lighthouse project and other past proposals for redevelopment, supporting the bond is a logical choice. Redevelopment of the Coliseum would serve as a companion to the Town of Hempstead’s recently approved mixed-use code at the area surrounding the Coliseum, which includes housing, office and retail with new development guidelines.

Vision Long Island supports this bond referendum as it provides the following benefits:

1. CATALYST FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

This proposal will be a strong first step towards a new town center at the HUB, one that will then expand the tax base, provide jobs and create tangible economic development benefits well into the future. The County is expected to prepare an RFP for development for the acreage surrounding the Coliseum. Vision has been assured that this RFP will include an integrated mixture of uses, various housing options including a workforce component, accessibility to public transportation, walkable streets and a strong and safe link to Hofstra University, Nassau Community College, Museum Row and existing office development. Additionally, we encourage a fair share of state and federal dollars for infrastructure improvements surrounding the new development, which was absent from past proposals.

Varying arena projects around the Country co-exist peacefully with mixed-use town center development including Camden Yards in Baltimore, Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex in Cleveland, Petco Park in San Diego and Hunters Point Shipyard in San Francisco, among others.

2. JOB DEVELOPMENT

Long Islanders need jobs. One of the region's most pressing challenges is to keep workers, and that includes young workers, from leaving the area. Revitalizing the Nassau Coliseum will not only create a regional high-quality entertainment hub that caters to a wide demographic range from the very young to seniors, it will also create expanded employment opportunities for residents of the densely populated area surrounding Coliseum, for college students, and for other Long Islanders in need of full-time and part-time employment. The County estimates 4,500 full and part time jobs to be yielded from this proposal.

3. ELIMINATES PLANS FOR A CASINO AT THIS LOCATION

This plan does not include a casino, which was vigorously opposed in central Nassau adjacent to two colleges and a high school. Rather, a casino in Elmont is garnering the support of local community and business leaders, proposed for a 150-acre site that has a history of gaming with built-in transit and roadway infrastructure.

4. COSTS ARE OUTWEIGHED BY REVENUE SOURCES

According to the County’s Economic Impact Statement, the project would provide a positive cash flow of $2.2 million annually, in excess of the debt service of $26 million. The new Coliseum would attract approximately 1.37 million visitors each year, versus the no-build alternative of 100,500 visitors or far less if the Islanders ultimately move. Camoin Associates, Nassau’s Independent Office of Budget Review, Nassau Comptroller George Maragos and independent economists all have pointed to the economic benefits of this action.

5. RETENTION OF ISLANDERS & REGIONAL, CULTURAL HUB POTENTIAL

A responsibly financed Coliseum redevelopment will enhance the quality of life in Nassau by providing a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex our County deserves. Retention of the Islanders, concerts, family activities a minor league ballpark and a business drawing convention center are all amenities that will add to the area’s existing uses when planned properly.

6. PUBLIC INPUT & ULTIMATE ACTION

Lastly we are happy that the public will be able to weigh in on this project via a referendum on August 1st. In addition, there will be many opportunities to make necessary adjustments to the plan through the Nassau Legislature following the referendum. This type of direct public participation will help direct the planning of this area, hopefully for the better.

What is far worse is to do nothing as the status quo is unacceptable. If the Islanders leave the vacant property will offer a substantial loss to the County, no jobs for residents and no hope for the mixed use development that the area needs. The $400 million bond proposition will provide key infrastructure and facility financing in and around the Nassau Coliseum Hub area. This bond will spur critical economic growth for the core of Nassau County.

After careful analysis and discussion with community, business and government leaders in Nassau, we believe this plan to be responsible and appropriate. Projects constructed under this initiative will create short and long-term employment to the area in and around the HUB. Reinvesting and reshaping this already developed market makes sound economic and environmental sense.”

While there are drawbacks to almost any economic development strategy, at this time and date, public financing for the Coliseum is the best option for progress at the Nassau HUB.

Vote YES on August 1st to support jobs and redevelopment for Nassau County

Keith Archer, Harras Bloom & Archer
David Berg, American Planning Association, LI Chapter
Richard Bivone, RMB Development/LI Business Council
Eliot Bloom, Law Offices of Eliot F. Bloom
John Durso, LI Federation of Labor
Trudy Fitzsimmons, Leadership Hungtington
Robert Fonti, Vincent James Management Company
Matt Frank
Larry Gargano, Greenview Properties
John Keating, National Grid
Dr. Richard Koubek, Long Island Jobs With Justice
Steven Krieger, Engel Burman Group
Alexander Latham, ADLIII Architecture
Neal Lewis, Sustainability Institute at Molloy College
Jorge Martinez, LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/American Transit Insurance Company
Bruce Migatz, Albanese & Albanese
Richard Panchyk, Hazen and Sawyer
Vincent Pizzulli, Certilman Balin
Michael Posillico, Posillico
Michael Puntillo, Jr., The Jobco Organization
Maria Rigopoulos, Mill Creek Residential Trust
Dr. Nathalia Rogers, Dowling College
Keith Samaroo, PS&S
Robert Scheiner, H2M Architects + Engineers
Joy Squires, NYS Association of Conservation Commisions
Ronald Stein, Good Harvest Financial Group
Edward Thompson, Molloy College
Eric Alexander, Executive Director, Vision Long Island

On Wednesday, July 14th, Vision Long Island held a press conference to support the Nassau Coliseum bond referendum that will take place on August 1st. Attendees included Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Hicksville Chamber President Lionel Chitty, Vision Board Members Trudy Fitzsimmons, John Keating, Neal Lewis, Bruce Migatz, Michael Posillico and Michael Puntillo as well as Vision’s Executive Director Eric Alexander, Assistant Director Tawaun Weber, Sustainability Director Elissa Ward and Director of Special Projects Chris Kyle.

Eric Alexander highlighted the numerous reasons for Vision’s support of the new coliseum, explaining that at this moment “there is a mix of uses, but they’re not assembled in a way that’s a real, true place. The idea isn’t to lose pieces of the puzzle, but to build upon what we have.” Vision encourages the new design to include an integrated mix of uses, various housing options including a workforce component, accessibility to public transportation, walkable streets and a strong and safe link to surrounding destinations. Vision hopes to see ample state and federal dollars for infrastructure improvements surrounding the new development, which was absent from previous redevelopment proposals.

According to the County’s Economic Impact Statement, the project would provide a positive cash flow of $2.2 million annually, in excess of the debt service of $26 million. The new building would also attract approximately 1.37 million visitors each year versus the no-build alternative of 100,500 visitors.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said he believed the revitalization could be the “envy of the east coast.” After being at a crossroads for ten years, the decision has to be made to keep the area as a sports destination, which can not only retain jobs and commerce, but also expand it. Mangano stressed that without improvements, the sports teams, businesses and entertainment opportunities will continue to leave the county and spend their money elsewhere. Instead, public financing can restore the area and “leave the dollars here to be spent and re-spent."

Vision Board Members Michael Posillico of Posillico, Michael Puntillo Jr. of the Jobco Organization and Neal Lewis of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College all voiced their support at the conference. They agreed that the completed project will spur critical and long-term economic growth for the core of Nassau County by expanding the tax base and providing jobs. “It’s time for action,” said Lewis, who emphasized the importance of resident involvement in the vote, since they have a stake in the county property.

Lionel Chitty of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce agreed that “this is a no-brainer.”

While there are drawbacks to almost any redevelopment strategy, Vision believes that at this time and date, public financing for the Coliseum is the best option for progress at the Nassau Hub. Voting “yes” for the bond will allow the Islanders to stay on Long Island, preserve the tax base and provide the opportunity for mixed-use development and revitalization in the surrounding region.

Here is what some of Vision Long Island's Board of Directors had to say about the bond vote:

Michael Posillico of Posillico said, “The $400 million dollar bond proposition will provide key infrastructure and facility financing in and around the Nassau Coliseum Hub area. This bond will spur critical economic growth for the core of Nassau County. After careful analysis and discussion with business and government leaders in Nassau County, we believe this plan to be responsible and appropriate. Projects constructed under this initiative will create short and long-term employment to the area in and around the HUB. Reinvesting and reshaping this already developed market makes sound economic and environmental sense.”

Michael Puntillo Jr. of the Jobco Organization said, “A responsibly financed Coliseum redevelopment will enhance the quality of life in Nassau by providing a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex our County deserves. It will be a strong first step towards a new town center at the HUB. One that will expand the tax base, provide jobs and create tangible economic development benefits well into the future.”

Jorge Martinez, past president of the LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said “I’m proud to support a plan that will revitalize Nassau County and bring an incredible infusion of tax dollars into our regional economy. A vote ‘yes’ on August 1st is the first step toward a new town center with a mix of entertainment uses, retail, residences, offices, restaurants and more. This will be a real asset to the county and will create a strong draw for investment, business, visitors, and new residents.”

Neal Lewis, Executive Director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, said “We have a long history of supporting redevelopment and citizen involvement in the Nassau HUB area and we are pleased that the County is moving forward with a plan and a referendum that will engage the public”

Dr. Nathalia Rogers, Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the American Communities Institute at Dowling College, said, “Long Islanders need jobs. One of the region's most pressing challenges is to keep workers, and that includes young workers, from leaving the area. Revitalizing the Nassau Coliseum will not only create a regional high-quality entertainment hub that caters to a wide demographic range from the very young to seniors, it will also create expanded employment opportunities for residents of the densely populated area surrounding Coliseum, for college students, and for other Long Islanders in need of full-time and part-time employment.”

John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, said, “The Long Island Federation of Labor fully supports the referendum on the Coliseum. The jobs created both during the construction and the permanent jobs after construction will go a long way in rebuilding Nassau's economy. Being able to retain the Islanders and attracting first rate entertainment and trade shows will put millions of sales tax dollars into Nassau and begin to lessen the tax burden upon our citizens.”

Richard Koubek of LI Jobs with Justice said “This plan brings with it a tide of benefits to the community. In addition to thousands of jobs, it will breathe life and energy into an area that is currently overrun by cars and concrete. This has the potential to kick start the revitalization of the Nassau Coliseum area with Smart Growth development.”

Bruce W. Migatz, Esq. of the Garden City law firm Albanese and Albanese LLP said, “A project like this has been a long time coming. The Islanders are a source of pride and identity for Nassau County. We cannot afford to let go of this opportunity to keep the team here and make the most of their presence.”

Eliot Bloom, Esq. said, “Mega sports arenas swallowed by expanses of parking lots are a thing of the past. We support the direction of the County Executive’s proposal to make the Coliseum a central component of a broader plan to improve the town as a whole. As this project moves forward, it will be important to think about what kind of place we can build that will generate lasting interest and activity.“

Keith Samaroo, Vice President of PS&S Engineering, said, “The NY Islanders have brought great joy and camaraderie over the many decades to Long Islanders, now it’s our chance to show support and help provide a new home that is worthy of a world class team.”

Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island, said “Supporting this bond vote is crucial first step towards mixed use development. In absence of a proposal the magnitude of the Lighthouse, this plan provides the best chance for Long Island’s future by promoting mixed-use, Smart Growth-friendly development. Failure to pass this bond act means we get worse than nothing: the Islanders leave, the Coliseum continues to deteriorate and land use surrounding the Coliseum remains a sea of asphalt and sprawl. Failure is not an option.”

More information:

1. To find out more about voting, see the Nassau County Board of Elections site.

2. For more on the bond proposal:

- Nassau News Network
- Vote Yes Campaign
- Camion Associates report and addenum
- Nassau Office of Independent Budget Review
- Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos' report

3. Additional news coverage:

- Vision's Op-Ed in The Herald
- FiOS1 News
- Long Island Business News - Vision Long Island endorses plan and more on public meetings.
- Hempstead Uniondale Times
- Noticia NY