Queens to hold Press Conference this week on Islanders
Wow, this is getting interesting!
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Queens Chamber of Commerce making play to woo Islanders to their borough
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Pouncing proactively, the Queens Chamber of Commerce is planning a news conference this week to publicly court the Islanders - coveting jobs and tourists the team could bring to the borough.
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"This is the time to aggressively go after this," said Jack Friedman, the chamber's executive vice president. "It's time to bring Lord Stanley back to Long Island, and Queens is on Long Island."
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A spokesman for the city Economic Development Corp., which controls construction at Willets Point, said the Islanders have "not approached us, but we'd be happy to discuss the option."
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Weprin, who chairs the Council's finance committee, figured a hockey arena would fill out a "destination area" in Flushing.
"Bringing a major sports team like the Islanders would be terrific," he said. "If it's more revenue potentially for the city, I'd love to see the Islanders here."
Bottom line here - if the Islanders do NOT pass the Lighthouse, that's probably going to be on the County. But if they move out of the tri-state area altogether, I'm putting that one on Wang. Posted via Mobile Device
Bottom line here - if the Islanders do NOT pass the Lighthouse, that's probably going to be on the County. But if they move out of the tri-state area altogether, I'm putting that one on Wang. Posted via Mobile Device
I agree.
I wouldn't be upset at all if they move to Queens, just a few less games I get to go to. They're on Long Island, they're still the Islanders, and they get a brand new building.
Is that all some care about? putting pressure on nassau? how about legitimately being happy that there is a county in new york that actually wants the islanders as opposed to one that doesn't care at all. i as a nassau resident don't even care if they stay in nassau anymore. all this nonsense with nassau county and hempstead has turned me off. i can't believe i am actually rooting for the team to move to queens over staying in nassau when the coliseum is only 5-10 minutes from me.
ya gotta think that Wang wants to keep the team where they are, but here is the question.
Charles Wang has a decision to make (potentially):
Keep the Isles in Uniondale, scale down the project, and continue to fight Nassau throughout the process vs a new local location who will give him what he wants.
ya gotta think that Wang wants to keep the team where they are, but here is the question.
Charles Wang has a decision to make (potentially):
Keep the Isles in Uniondale, scale down the project, and continue to fight Nassau throughout the process vs a new local location who will give him what he wants.
Find me a politician that you can trust and I'll sell you the state of Maine.
I wouldn't be upset at all if they move to Queens, just a few less games I get to go to. They're on Long Island, they're still the Islanders, and they get a brand new building.
Wang needs more than a new building to cover his overall "investment" in the Islanders.
Is that all some care about? putting pressure on nassau? how about legitimately being happy that there is a county in new york that actually wants the islanders as opposed to one that doesn't care at all. i as a nassau resident don't even care if they stay in nassau anymore. all this nonsense with nassau county and hempstead has turned me off. i can't believe i am actually rooting for the team to move to queens over staying in nassau when the coliseum is only 5-10 minutes from me.
Great post and spot on!
A move to queens wouldnt bother me at all. I'm in full support as long as they stay on Long Island and get a new arena!
Is that all some care about? putting pressure on nassau? how about legitimately being happy that there is a county in new york that actually wants the islanders as opposed to one that doesn't care at all. i as a nassau resident don't even care if they stay in nassau anymore. all this nonsense with nassau county and hempstead has turned me off. i can't believe i am actually rooting for the team to move to queens over staying in nassau when the coliseum is only 5-10 minutes from me.
I would like Queens more than Nassau as well but there needs to be some movement here. If Queens is a super viable option and one that I believe would scare Nassau more than all the other options. If Queens is in the mix, Nassau has to do something one way or the other. In other words by Queens jumping in we get an answer quicker and we have a safe backup plan if it is answered in the negative.
Wang should jump at this opportunity and NOT use this as a bargaining chip against Nassau county. Screw Kate Murray and TOH and leave for Queens. Queens want them, but Nasssau does not. Enough said.
Sounds cool, I'm glad that even if the Lighthouse Project doesn't go through the Isles will have somewhere to go that is still on Long Island. In a sad side note, I didn't realize Queens was on Long Island .
Sounds cool, I'm glad that even if the Lighthouse Project doesn't go through the Isles will have somewhere to go that is still on Long Island. In a sad side note, I didn't realize Queens was on Long Island .
Geographically, Queens is on Long Island. However, as Queens is part of NYC, it is generally not considered as such. Just west of Nassau county is not a big water body separating from other geography, but Queens.
Wang gets some buildings, meaning some heavy profit garnering (though not as much or maybe even more as the entire project), and a sweet Coliseum deal....
...or moves his team to another arena he won't make as much money on with no development whatsoever. Just more seats and bathrooms and populace.
Wang gets some buildings, meaning some heavy profit garnering (though not as much or maybe even more as the entire project), and a sweet Coliseum deal....
...or moves his team to another arena he won't make as much money on with no development whatsoever. Just more seats and bathrooms and populace.
We'll see if he's an idiot or a moron.
http://www.nycedc.com/ProjectsOpport...EAS_032807.pdf
According to the following website there will be 8.2 million square feet of development (worst case scenario) which is close to the Lighthouse project. The LP claims that it will build 8 million square feet of new development http://www.lighthouseli.com/about/benefits
If Wang does go to Queens, I don't think he will have a problem making money in that area. Plus, the developer pays property taxes, which implys the developer will own the land.
how is a renovated Coliseum with SMG still managing a "sweet Coliseum deal?"
let's not kid ourselves into thinking that any new lease in a renovated NVMC with SMG is going to be one that actually favors Wang. Plus there is a ton of room to develop at Willets Point. Wang can do a whole heck of a lot of the same things he wanted to do with the LHP in queens. Queens is by far the best option for Wang & The Islanders stability. Turning into NYCs 2nd team will mean so much more to the bottom line then being NYCs suburban team that no one knows exists.
I don't think the Queens deal would give Wang development rights over the surrounding property - which makes Nassau more attractive to Wang - even scaled down. Queens is just talking about building him a new Arena. Wang wants more than that.
Is it just me, or would there be some sort of Poetic Justice to the Isles moving to the Pilgrim State facility in Suffolk - welcome to the Suffolk County Islanders Asylum? (a possibility as reported in Sunday's Newsday.)
As a Suffolk resident, other than staying in Nassau, this would be the best possible outcome for me!
Wang should jump at this opportunity and NOT use this as a bargaining chip against Nassau county. Screw Kate Murray and TOH and leave for Queens. Queens want them, but Nasssau does not. Enough said.
Exactly my point. it is time to make nassau the backup plan or no plan at all. wang if he is smart and actually wants to make money he needs to make queens the 1st priority now because nassau has blown it. queens has stated they don't want to be a backup plan or a bargaining chip for nassau anymore. they got spurned by the football jets and don't want to have that again.
Is it just me, or would there be some sort of Poetic Justice to the Isles moving to the Pilgrim State facility in Suffolk - welcome to the Suffolk County Islanders Asylum? (a possibility as reported in Sunday's Newsday.)
Sounds cool, I'm glad that even if the Lighthouse Project doesn't go through the Isles will have somewhere to go that is still on Long Island. In a sad side note, I didn't realize Queens was on Long Island .
Forget about if. the lighthouse project is not happening. all that's happening now is hempstead is stalling until after the elections and when they get re-elected it's bye bye lighthouse project. i can't believe there are still people who actually believe the lighthouse still has a chance. wake up people seriously wake up and smell the coffee, it is over for the lighthouse project on long island. the sooner you realize this, the sooner islander fans can switch their focus on putting pressure on wang to go after the willets point project.
First and foremost—I love this idea—and not as a play against the NVMC, Nassau and Hempstead. I love this as a viable option.
I think having the Islanders come into the Citi Field area—which is also near the USTA Center for the US Open, is a fantastic idea, and makes complete sense. It will turn the area into a full sports and event based location for a variety of events including hockey. The key is what kind of additional development would be involved for the Lighthouse Development team? A big part of Wang's plan for the housing, shops and convention center is to create additional revenue which would turn the single business operation of the NY Isles into a conglomerate that actually MAKES money instead of losing money. That is the ultimate point for an owner. That money will be what brings in players folks. Wang has shown he is willing to spend. He just won't right now with the uncertainty of the franchise.
Second—Where does this problem fall on Nassau County??? You guys can't be serious...
Nassau County has done everything it can to have this project happen. Everything! Democrats across the legislature support it—which means the vote is to approve the deal. I don't know if the republicans on the legislature support it at all or not. They might be sticking with Kate Murrray and Joe Mondello.
If you are looking to blame anybody—it falls on Kate Murray, and the entire Hempstead Town Board along with Murray's puppet-master Mondello. Wang and Rechler have gone through the entire process top to bottom. Excuses like how many buildings ARE A JOKE! Architects and planners have submitted full plans to get the Environmental Impact statement done. They would have to know the entire scope and detail of the project to have the study done folks. Murray and her dumb a$$ retards on the board just did not bother to review the plans properly.
I would also add—why is the Town Board even involved in this project? Should this not have been decided by the Zoning Board of Appeals? After all—that is what Wang is seeking—a change in Zoning—he is not looking to create legislation which is what a Town Board does—create local legislation. This is a zoning issue!
The blame for this mess goes to Murray and the Hempstead Board—NOT the County, Not the State. Even Dean Skelos—the Republican State Senator has spoken out in favor for this effort—other republicans have as well. But small brained and stupid Murray and Mondello continue to play games.
I hope Wang goes to Queens in earnest. Frankly—I think it is a BETTER choice them NVMC. There would be more access for fans through public transportation, less of a need to drive, making getting there and back easier. This is a NO BRAINER to me. I would be meeting with Queens, and getting the ball rolling—and frankly—I would tell Murray and her board—take it or leave it!
I don't think the Queens deal would give Wang development rights over the surrounding property - which makes Nassau more attractive to Wang - even scaled down. Queens is just talking about building him a new Arena. Wang wants more than that.
Wrong again. the president of the queens chamber of commerce already stated if wang wants to build his lighthouse on willets point queens is all ears so it's not like wang only gets a new arena, he will get everything else also as long as the scopr of his project is similar to what queens wants there and if you have done any research, you will notice that the two projects have alot in common with one another.
Want to sell out games? Bring reasonably priced hockey within public transit access of all of NYC. I live in Astoria, and though I'm a die hard Sabres fan, I would probably support the Islanders if they relocated to Queens. The Rangers are outside my price range, and as it currently stands NJ and Nassau are too inaccessible.
I know there's some current Islanders fans who probably don't like this nor want people like me supporting the team, but it's about accessibility. Give me a team that I can afford, near me, playing the sport I love, and I'll be there. I'm not the only one.
(and by relocating to Queens, I mean locating within MTA access. I won't be going to see the Great Neck Islanders. but near Citi field? I'm in)
Second—Where does this problem fall on Nassau County??? You guys can't be serious...
Nassau County has done everything it can to have this project happen. Everything! Democrats across the legislature support it—which means the vote is to approve the deal. I don't know if the republicans on the legislature support it at all or not. They might be sticking with Kate Murrray and Joe Mondello.
You can't be serious with these comments? nassau had this project in it's lap for five yes that's right five years and forced wang to bid for the property. they milked it for five years. now nassau is playing the good cop bad cop game with hempstead. nassau is just as much to blame for milking this for five years as hempstead is for refusing the project.
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(a possibility as reported in Sunday's Newsday.)
