Town of Hempstead unveils alternative plan for Coliseum site
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray said, "We are taking proactive steps that can bring about meaningful development, along with all of the associated benefits, to the hub of Nassau County. Creating a zone that encourages reasonable development is key to supporting our tax base, offering construction and long term jobs, stimulating the region's economy and facilitating a renovated Coliseum which would help keep the Islanders hockey team here where they belong."
Vision Long Island’s endorsement of the Lighthouse Project stemmed from its incorporation of multiple Smart Growth principles. The area included public spaces such as Celebration Plaza, the gathering area outside of the Sports Complex, and the canal, which would make the area a much more desirable place to live, work and play. Further, the ambiance and housing options would attract the younger population, a demographic that is currently leaving Long Island in large numbers. Vision Long Island had the opportunity to preview the zoning plan with the Supervisor and Town’s consultants and we are pleased to see a proposal that is intended to help jumpstart negotiations. The alternative proposal, while still incorporating many principles of Smart Growth, has the possibility of limiting the area’s economic potential. Vision was quoted in Newsday: "all the elements of the puzzle are there, but in order for it to work properly, you're going to need to add additional density and add additional infrastructure."
Some aspects of the Lighthouse Project’s development plans were not specifically addressed in the Town’s zoning proposal. For instance, the Nassau Coliseum is not included, although its renovation is encouraged by the Town of Hempstead. Lighthouse developer Charles Wang had envisioned that the Coliseum property would include various public uses, including an ice skating rank. The Town of Hempstead’s plan set the infrastructure contributions at zero, which has therefore limited the amount of density that could be supported on the property. There is hope, and from what we can ascertain openness from the Town, that if investments are made to the infrastructure, the Lighthouse project could increase its level of density and enhance the area’s potential. To date there are no transportation or infrastructure dollars set aside from the County, State or Federal level despite years of advocacy. The Town of Hempstead is also not taking into consideration the $50 million private investment from the Lighthouse developers as transportation mitigation. The Lighthouse developers and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano released a joint statement on Monday saying, “While we have not yet had the time to review the "new vision" just released by Supervisor Murray and the Town of Hempstead for the redevelopment of the Coliseum site, it does not appear to achieve the goals of the County and the developer. Without this, the Town of Hempstead's "new vision" looks to be economically unviable for both the developer and owner of the site.” A possible threat to the development of this area would be if an agreement was made for the Shinnecock tribe to construct a casino on the property. There are many concerns and negative implications to building a casino at the Nassau Coliseum site. A casino is risky to bring to the area adjacent to Hofstra University and Nassau Community College and the 50,000 students in the vicinity. Studies have shown that the college-age population is more susceptible to problem gambling than any other age group. Indian-run casinos are not covered by Town zoning ordinances, since they are considered a federal development project and therefore able to completely bypass many stages of approval and ignore the standard public review process. Rich Bivone, co-chair of the Long Island Business Council and East Meadow resident and business owner, stated in LI Business News, “It would have a negative impact on property values and quality of life. That’s not the right place for a casino.” Hopefully County, State and Federal officials can step forward and allocate necessary transportation investments for the Nassau Coliseum area to help bring both parties closer together. This type of partnership could make an economically viable Lighthouse project while meeting the Town of Hempstead’s goals that would minimize the impact of the development to surrounding neighborhoods. Let’s hope folks can pull together and start the negotiations. To view the joint statement from County Executive Mangano and the Lighthouse developers, visit the old Lighthouse website here. View Supervisor Murray’s press release, as posted on the Let There Be Lighthouse blog here. To view news articles on the proposal, see: To view Vision Long Island's orginal endorsement statement, visit our website here and here. Tell us what you think of the Town of Hempstead’s zoning plan.E-mail us at info@visionlongisland.org;
or call us at 631-261-0242. |
The Town of Hempstead has announced their zoning plans for the 77 acres of land owned by Nassau County located adjacent to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The plan, created after consulting with engineering firm Frederick P. Clark Associates, challenges the original density and design of the Lighthouse Project. 
The original Lighthouse Project, which earned the support of Vision Long Island, numerous community organizations and business groups, first began in 2003 by developers Charles Wang and Scott Rechler. However, despite extensive outreach efforts, including over 200 public meetings, successful public hearings and broad-based community support, the project had reached a standstill.
While the Town of Hempstead’s zoning plan does allow for some flexibility for the developers, it places restrictions on the area’s density, height and number of housing units. Under the new plan, hotels are limited to only nine stories, and retail, residential and office space is limited to only three or four stories. This will restrict the area’s housing potential from 2,306 units to a maximum of only 500 units and will severely limit the desired market to increase the amount of workforce and next generation housing. 
Reach us on SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities.
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