News Article: Brooklyn/Belmont Arena Discussion (Islanders to play 20 games at NVMC)

[nycole]

The game is going to change shortly. There will be opportunities to increase capacity. There will be a widening of the right-of-way and a 3rd track installed between Floral Park and Hicksville, East Side Access (whenever they finish it) will allow some trains to be routed to Grand Central. If the solution to the QV bottleneck is sending some Ronkonkoma trains via the Babylon Branch to Jamaica or thinning out Hempstead and Oyster Bay service to create some windows for a Belmont train to merge in, or building a flyover into QV, I’m sure it can be made to happen.

I'm pretty sure that by the time all of that happens, the Belmont arena will be obsolete.

That's a lot of thinning out to accommdate one station.

 

[Steve55]

Lou was on ESPN radio yesterday. He was asked about the timeline for Belmont. He responded that he thought 3 years was the longest and that it could get done sooner. Lou told Kay that he got the new Devils arena done sooner than 3 years and it faced the same type of local opposition.

Newark alleged used eminent domain before the Rock got built.

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!

'Thursday, October 7, 2004

NEWARK - The New Jersey Devils' goal of moving to Newark is nearly complete.
Two Newark City Council votes Wednesday in favor of a $310 million arena that would be the centerpiece of a downtown redevelopment plan had Mayor Sharpe James, his staff and other arena supporters exchanging hugs and hearty handshakes at the conclusion of four hours of debate.

Most opponents of the arena plan, including three of the nine council members and several community activists, walked out of the council chambers after the first vote, glumly shaking their heads...

The first vote designated a large portion of downtown Newark as "an area in need of redevelopment" and passed on a 6-3 vote. The designation empowers the city to condemn property in the area.
The second vote, which passed, 6-2, with one councilman not voting, designated the Newark Housing Authority as the agency in charge of the redevelopment. The authority also is in charge of $210 million that will be used to build the arena. That money was raised via the sale of bonds backed by the proceeds of a 2002 renegotiation of the city's Newark Liberty International Airport lease with the Port Authority.
"Now we will be able to start demolition, taking the Renaissance Mall right down," James said of an abandoned 1980s project that languishes in the footprint of the redevelopment district. "We'll be able to do preparation on the site over the next few months while we work out the final details of a contract between the Devils and the Newark Housing Authority.".

The Housing Authority is being investigated by the federal Housing and Urban Development Department over allegations that it misused funds...

But City Councilwoman Bessie Walker said that the promise of a 300-room hotel, a 100,000-square-foot community center and additional retail and parking to be built alongside the arena won her vote.
"I don't look at this as an ice hockey rink," Walker said. "I look at it as a whole downtown redevelopment."...'

 

[MJF]

Oak View Group has opened an office in Manhattan. They will help the Isles transition back into operating their back office functions again and prepare for Belmont.

VenuesNow :: Oak View Group Opens NYC Office

 

[periferal]

Lou was on ESPN radio yesterday. He was asked about the timeline for Belmont. He responded that he thought 3 years was the longest and that it could get done sooner. Lou told Kay that he got the new Devils arena done sooner than 3 years and it faced the same type of local opposition.

So interesting for him to say that since he just got here and more importantly...They don't seem to have the design finalized yet.

 

[Lame Lambert]

Lou said on NHL Network that the plans and design for Belmont are done and “it’s only a matter of time” until they break ground. Hopefully we get to see the final designs soon.

 

[PWJunior]

Lou said on NHL Network that the plans and design for Belmont are done and “it’s only a matter of time” until they break ground. Hopefully we get to see the final designs soon.

When Lou was on the Michael Kay show, he kind of scoffed when talking about Belmont taking 3 years. He mentioned that 3 years would be the max and he seemed to think that it would be done considerably faster.

Another thing that stood out to be in that same interview about the radio station. He talked about how he was driving to the rink listening to the Devils game years ago and how the feed suddenly cut out when he was almost at the arena. He wasn't happy so he got to work and the Devils were on a new 50K watt radio station to make sure that wouldn't happen again. He gets stuff done.

I think Lou will make sure no one is slacking when it comes to the new home.

 

[macleod50]

When Lou was on the Michael Kay show, he kind of scoffed when talking about Belmont taking 3 years. He mentioned that 3 years would be the max and he seemed to think that it would be done considerably faster.

Another thing that stood out to be in that same interview about the radio station. He talked about how he was driving to the rink listening to the Devils game years ago and how the feed suddenly cut out when he was almost at the arena. He wasn't happy so he got to work and the Devils were on a new 50K watt radio station to make sure that wouldn't happen again. He gets stuff done.

I think Lou will make sure no one is slacking when it comes to the new home.

This is what the Islanders have needed for years, and years. A GM/President who demands excellence from their team and everything/everyone surrounding it. It looks like the days of settling for mediocrity are over, for now.

 

[Glory Days]

When Lou was on the Michael Kay show, he kind of scoffed when talking about Belmont taking 3 years. He mentioned that 3 years would be the max and he seemed to think that it would be done considerably faster.

Another thing that stood out to be in that same interview about the radio station. He talked about how he was driving to the rink listening to the Devils game years ago and how the feed suddenly cut out when he was almost at the arena. He wasn't happy so he got to work and the Devils were on a new 50K watt radio station to make sure that wouldn't happen again. He gets stuff done.

I think Lou will make sure no one is slacking when it comes to the new home.

Lou didn't sound like a guy in his first day on the job. He was talking about the arena situation and the radio situation like a guy who had a good working knowledge of both and was preparing to take action.

 

[periferal]

This is what the Islanders have needed for years, and years. A GM/President who demands excellence from their team and everything/everyone surrounding it. It looks like the days of settling for mediocrity are over, for now.

I want to win, but I can deal with losing if our front office is professional and always doing what they can to win. It certainly feels like that can happen now. The last 20 years this has been the Isles front office...

 

[The Lighthouse]

Found a picture of the Islanders front office:

 

[sabremike]

Something for folks who don't think the arena can be built in 3 years or less: Red Bull Arena had it's ceremonial groundbreaking in 2007 and opened in 2010. The reason it took 3 years to build was because it was built on a superfund site that had to be cleaned up before construction could start. So when Lou says the arena could be completed sooner than you think he isn't throwing out a porker.

 

[nycole]

Something for folks who don't think the arena can be built in 3 years or less: Red Bull Arena had it's ceremonial groundbreaking in 2007 and opened in 2010. The reason it took 3 years to build was because it was built on a superfund site that had to be cleaned up before construction could start. So when Lou says the arena could be completed sooner than you think he isn't throwing out a porker.

Groundbreaking can't start until the FEIS is finished.

 

[sabremike]

Groundbreaking can't start until the FEIS is finished.

And you think that will take longer than cleaning a superfund site???

 

[nycole]

And you think that will take longer than cleaning a superfund site???

Are you talking about the actual construction taking three years? Or an arena not being finished for three years from now?

They're not going to be able to break ground at Belmont until mid-2019. From there it's at least two years before the building can open.

 

[sabremike]

Are you talking about the actual construction taking three years? Or an arena not being finished for three years from now?

They're not going to be able to break ground at Belmont until mid-2019. From there it's at least two years before the building can open.

Lou has said things will likely move much quicker than people think. Take that for what you will.

 

[periferal]

Something for folks who don't think the arena can be built in 3 years or less: Red Bull Arena had it's ceremonial groundbreaking in 2007 and opened in 2010. The reason it took 3 years to build was because it was built on a superfund site that had to be cleaned up before construction could start. So when Lou says the arena could be completed sooner than you think he isn't throwing out a porker.

I agree in theory that the arena could be built in under 2.5 years, but because of...

Groundbreaking can't start until the FEIS is finished.

...They cannot start for about a year so that does put the first hockey game in Belmont for most likely October 2021.

Also makes me wonder if Lou & Co aren't pushing the idea of the arena being done to sell JT/other UFAs on the idea that they won't have to "suffer" through the Barclays/Nassau years much longer.

 

[Lame Lambert]

Are you talking about the actual construction taking three years? Or an arena not being finished for three years from now?

They're not going to be able to break ground at Belmont until mid-2019. From there it's at least two years before the building can open.

The same thing was said about the selection process; no one expected a decision in December. Total hunch, but I think this review is going to be done relatively soon with shovels in the ground by early Fall. Ledecky questioned the 1 year timeline publicly, and Lou has alluded to it happening faster than expected. Cuomo is going to want this thing wrapped up ASAP for the election.

 

[nycole]

The same thing was said about the selection process; no one expected a decision in December. Total hunch, but I think this review is going to be done relatively soon with shovels in the ground by early Fall. Ledecky questioned the 1 year timeline publicly, and Lou has alluded to it happening faster than expected. Cuomo is going to want this thing wrapped up ASAP for the election.

Typically there's a period when the public can respond to the DEIS (draft), with a poential revision.
Obviously everyone involved wants to start yesterday, but with something so contested, optics are important.

9-15 months is typical for an EIS period.

 

[sabremike]

I think you are badly overestimating how much opposition there is to this. It's basically a handful of people who keep making themselves look ridiculous to any rational observer (go read the Tweets of "The Parlamentarian" if you need a good laugh).

 

[periferal]

I thought the Belmont project was politically motivated...

 

[doublechili]

I thought the Belmont project was politically motivated...

I can see that they spared no expense with that rendering - looks like a composite of clip-art buildings. I hear they hope to have a physical model of the project at the full legislative session, but that's assuming the kids they hired don't run out of Legos.

 

[MJF]

Delete

 

[Steve55]

NYRA planning to renovate Belmont Park

'By Jim Baumbach[email protected] @jimbaumbachJune 1, 2018 6:21 PM (EDT)

NYRA, which operates 445-acre Belmont Park, says it has assembled a team of sports development consultants following Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s December announcement that the Islanders won the development rights to 43 acres of state-owned land at Belmont.

NYRA wants to modernize the racetrack operations to take advantage of the anticipated influx of non-racing fans who will come to Belmont as a result of the planned sports and entertainment destination by the Islanders and their development partners...

NYRA will spend $6.5 million this year on architects, engineers, master planners and economic experts to study the feasibility of renovations, CEO Christopher Kay said at a recent meeting of the state’s Franchise Oversight Board, which oversees NYRA.

What exactly NYRA intends specifically with its renovation remains in question. NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna said in a statement “the size and scope of proposed renovations to our building and property” have not yet been determined. McKenna declined to comment on other to-be-determined renovation issues such as financing...'

 

[Steve55]

Jon Ledecky leads Belmont Stakes Parade

June 2nd, 2018

As the New York Islanders march towards a new arena at Belmont, co-owner Jon Ledecky was literally at the front of the line.
Ledecky was one of the grand marshals at the Belmont Stakes Parade on Saturday, leading over 1,000 marchers through Elmont while greeting and shaking hands with members of the community...

 

[CupHolders]

Jon Ledecky leads Belmont Stakes Parade

June 2nd, 2018

As the New York Islanders march towards a new arena at Belmont, co-owner Jon Ledecky was literally at the front of the line.
Ledecky was one of the grand marshals at the Belmont Stakes Parade on Saturday, leading over 1,000 marchers through Elmont while greeting and shaking hands with members of the community...

Wait, does this mean he walked freely among the plebeians of Elmont? And yet he survived Matt Sexton's well organized, largely numbered resistance against the new arena? That's some straight-up legendary superhero stuff right there!