Mangano Answers My Question

Me:

I know that you said that if there wasn't enough space at the hub, a new arena for the Islanders could become part of the Belmont plan. My question is why the Islanders part of the plan now and why isn't there a hard push for this project at this time?

 Ed Mangano All options are on the table when it comes to keeping the Islanders here in Nassau County. I am committed to creating jobs at the Hub, in Belmont, and throughout Nassau County. My administration continues to pursue all options to retain the Islanders in Nassau County. Clearly, negotiations in the media have not produced results. The County will announce new plans for the Hub in the coming weeks.

 

One Hurdle Down For Heartland Project

 One major hurdle for the Heartland Project was eliminated yesterday when Islip Town Board voted to reverse the required state-approved apprenticeship programs on all large-scale construction jobs in town.  Meaning that construction projects are not forced to use union labor, so this will limit the cost of construction.  This was a major sticking point with Heartland Project.  David Wolkoff was quoted in Newsday:

 David Wolkoff, son of developer Gerry Wolkoff, whose Heartland Town Square project has languished while he has sparred with trade unions over deals to work the site, said at the hearing that his company had delayed two 150,000-square-foot projects because of the proposed law.

The Wolkoffs, along with small-business owners, argued the law would increase their labor costs and drive development from town.

It seems like at least one of the possible options for the Islanders is gaining traction with this news and the reward of state money last week.

Additional Reading:
http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=BC06B6A297FCB37C9D33.3193?site=newsday&view=politics_item&feed:a=newsday_1min&feed:c=politics&feed:i=1.3387423&part=0

Gambling In New York

When Albany heads back to session one of Governor Cuomo's priorities is legalizing gambling in New York.  The reason  why he wants to legalize gambling is for the added revenue it will add to the state's coffers.  How does this effect the Islanders?  The Islanders are being consider to be part of the Belmont Entertainment Center that would involve a casino.  Therefore, one has to question if New York legalizes gambling how will it effect the Shinnecock tribes push for a casino on Long Island.  In mind if gambling is legalize in the state the tribe getting approval from the state should be made easier.  Plus it gives the state more leverage to get a better deal from the tribe.  The question is does the state think Long Island is a good location for a gaming facility?  In my mind the Belmont Entertainment Center Plan would be a great site for a casino in New York, and offer New York and Nassau a  ton of revenue.  The site would have one of the most historic race tracks in the world, a professional hockey team, and a world class casino resort.  This development would offer attractions other casinos in and out of New York just can't.  What other casino is going have a leg of the triple crown and a professional sports team on their site.  If the state is serious about using gambling to turn around its economy, and serious about using smart locations, they need to strongly consider the Belmont Entertainment Plan.   

Additional Reading:
 http://carrie4nassau.com/carrie-solages-news/community-2/casino-at-belmont-park-in-elmont/
http://auburnpub.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_ad4c0d9c-2086-11e1-9c3b-0019bb2963f4.html

Brooklyn Hockey Fans Perfer An AHL Team?

Today when I was just surfing the web I found this interesting article http://brooklynfans.com/2011/11/hockey-barclays-center/ Hockey at the Barclays Center? Islanders … or who?, which argues that Brooklyn would be better off with a Rangers AHL affiliate then the Islanders.  Really??? No matter your feeling on the Islanders or Rangers as a fan if you have a choice of a professional team or minor league team if your running an arena.  The difference in revenue alone is huge and there are only 30 cities privileged enough to have a team.  If you have a chance to gain one of those teams you just don't turn your back on it.  I guess the Islanders and Rangers fans may have a new battle brewing over the Barclays Center.     

Heartland Project

For those of you who are unclear of what the Heartland project is here is a description from a Newsday article.

If developer Gerald Wolkoff can pull it off, the 451-acre Heartland Town Square project he first proposed in 2002 will become a mini-city — with 8,999 apartments and three office towers, including one 20 stories tall, plus stores, restaurants and landscaped walkways. Approvals from Islip Town and Suffolk County could come as soon as this summer. If they do, Wolkoff will have succeeded in overcoming a difficult financial and political climate for projects as big as Heartland.
Unlike other major developments on Long Island — from the Lighthouse Project in Hempstead to Riverhead Resorts in Calverton — that have floundered amid political squabbles, community backlash or financing woes, Wolkoff’s vision has gained strong support in a community willing to accept density and traffic. The anticipated payoff: tax dollars and thousands of jobs.
And in an unusual arrangement, Wolkoff has agreed to build in three phases, giving Islip Town the power to pull the plug if the project causes more traffic than projected or fails to leave enough public space. Phase One alone calls for more than 3,500 apartments, half of the retail and about 20 percent of the office space.

“When finished, it would have 40 percent more people per square mile than Queens"

This project would be like building a new city on Long Island and if Wolkoff and Wang are willing to work together the Islanders could be the center piece of the city.

Recommended Reading:
http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=EDD9DC004C2D46BC1EF6.3182?site=newsday&view=search_results_item&feed:a=newsday_5min&feed:c=longisland&feed:i=1.2787520&part=0

Long Island Wins 101 Million Dollars

Albany selected Long Island as one of the winning regions.  The 5 person council that selected the winning regions awarded Long Island 101 million dollars for developing projects that will create jobs.  What does this means for the Islanders? At this time not much, but it does open the door for the Islanders to jump aboard one of these projects.  One project that would make sense for Wang to get involve in is the Heartland Project.  The Heartland Project is the destination center that Wang has always dreamed about for Long Island, but it is Wolkoff project.  Mr. Wolkoff needs more financing on top of the 2.5 million they just won from the state for infrastructure, which is where Wang can get in on the project.  Wang could help Mr. Wolkoff finance the project and bring the Islanders to the Heartland Project.  This partnership would allow both men accomplish their dream of creating a destination for Long Islanders and make them a ton of money at the same time.

Belmont Entertainment Center wasn't mention among the projects receiving money. 

Additional Reading:
http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;jsessionid=136BA7B9FAC68995C6B7.3178?site=newsday&view=top_stories_item&feed:a=newsday_1min&feed:c=topstories&feed:i=1.3375621
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=payoIQLD-lw&feature=player_embedded
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-men-one-vision.html
http://www.allbusiness.com/finance-insurance/funds-trusts-other-financial/4067280-1.html

Cuomo Picks Thursday

https://twitter.com/#!/randimarshall/status/144152588961587200
Regional Economic Council winners will be announced by Gov Cuomo Thursday.

The two projects that I can see housing and working for the Islanders are the Heartland Development and Belmont Entertainment Center

Additional Reading:
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-men-one-vision.html
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/10/nassau-better-put-all-their-chips-on.html
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/10/is-wang-waiting-to-see-where-money-will.html
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/11/final-long-island-economic-council.html
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/11/nassau-hub-left-out.html

King Size Problems with Queens

There are several hurdles that have to be resolve for Queens to become a real option for Wang/Islanders.

1) Zoning: The Willets Point redeveloping project isn't zoned for an ice arena.  Therefore, if Wang wanted to join the project the entire thing has to be rezoned for an hockey arena.

2) Cleaning:  Willets Point has been a neighborhood filled with chop shops and lacking the things most community take for granted like sewers.  The City is willing to pay for adding a sewer system, but they want the developers to pay for the area to be cleaned up.  Cleaning up decades off pollution from automobiles will be no small bill.

3) Timing: Is there enough time for a deal to be worked out between New York City and Charles Wang.  This project is being built in four stages, which the convention center is in the later stages of the project.  I bring up the convention center, since some local politicians want to add ice making to it to get around the zoning issue.  I have no clue if that is actually allowed or how it would work?

4) Broke Wilpons: If the Islanders just wanted to build in Citi Field parking lot and avoid the hassle of working with the Willets Point Project there is one problem.  The Wilpons are still in financial trouble and are having trouble holding on to the Mets.  Things could of turned out a lot worse for them with the lawsuit against Sterling Equities, but things still aren't pretty.

These are the major hurdles that Wang has to overcome in order for Queens to become more than a pipe dream.

Additional Reading:
https://twitter.com/#!/nickhirshon/status/143056559637929984 
http://www.willetspoint.org/2010/05/wilpon-wang-talk-about-moving-islanders.html
http://stephenstirling.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/pollution-mysteries-await-willets-point-cleanup/
http://www.qchron.com/news/queenswide/north-queens-city-breaks-ground-for-contentious-willets-point-plan/article_cd040a04-1d16-11e1-bca2-001871e3ce6c.html
Thanks for the articles Steve/Gear316

Barclays Center Still Short of Goal

The Barclays Center management set a goal of 220 events for its opening year and they are still 50 events short.  The fact that Brooklyn still needs to fill events helps the Islanders leverage when dealing with the Barclays Center.  This creates a need for the Islanders 41 home games to fill the void for the opening season and future ones as well.  If Wang is interested in moving to Brooklyn he has leverage on getting a good lease because of the before mention needed dates.  He also has leverage on getting a piece of the Atlantic yards development, since Ratner still needs help financing the project.  It may not be the way Wang  drew it up, but he could still end up with the Islanders in a new arena and additional development to help support the team.  A Wang and Ratner partnership could go a long way in solving both men problems.  

Additional Reading:
http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/12/2/2605266/barclays-books-big-names

Sports Business Journal Survey

Newsday published a piece that showed that the Coliseum is consider the arena most in need of an update.

The Islanders often are accused of being an afterthought on the national pro sports scene.

Au contraire! They were very much on the minds of the industry types who vote in the Sports Business Journals annual reader survey, who were asked what facility is most in need of renovation or replacement.

Nassau Coliseum won with 21.4 percent of the vote, well ahead of the 16.4 for the Rays Tropicana Field and 12.5 for the Vikings Metrodome.

When readers were asked what the next five years will hold for the Isles, 35.9 percent said they still will be looking for a new arena deal, 34.9 said they will have an arena deal and 24.9 said they will relocate...

http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=475514A378FD7D074E64.3180?site=newsday&view=islanders_item&feed:a=newsday_5min

My response to this article is duh.  Without a doubt the Islanders are the team most in need of a new arena in all of professional sports.  The Nassau Coliseum has been an anchor around this team ankle for the past decade plus that has hold this franchise down.  We have had several owners try to resolve this issue to only be turn away by Long Island politics.

The other part of this article I find interesting is the readers response to what the next five years hold.  My response to this  question is that there is no way that the Islanders will still be looking for a new arena.  This team needs a resolution NOW!  It needs a resolution for the health of the organization and the fan base.  In my opinion the team is not leaving the physical island of Long Island, but here comes the part that may upset people.  With the financial crisis the Nassau and Suffolk is in and the political turnover in Suffolk I think it is unlikely that a solution will be found on Long Island proper.  That leaves Queens and Brooklyn as the future landing spots for the Islanders.  I don't see Wang wanting to go through the political process with Queens and getting approval for the arena., so in short I see the Islanders playing in Brooklyn in five years.

Additional Reading:
http://www.newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/11/is-14500-seat-arena-really-too-small.html
http://www.newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/11/barry-baums-response-to-my-email.html
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/10/brooklyn-can-be-anchor-that-keeps.html
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/11/is-brooklyn-our-only-real-option.html
http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/9/22/2441745/yormark-barclays-can-host-nhl-mma
http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/11/11/2555486/nhls-bettman-barclays-option-premature
http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/9/15/2427174/ratner-hopeful-islanders-will-join-nets-at-barclays-center
 

NetsDaily Posted Video

www.netsdaily.com/2011/11/29/2596418/a-look-inside-the-barclays-center
In this post by Netsdaily they provide a video that gives an inside look of the Barclays Center.

Update on Potential Future Owners

Two of the possible future owners that I mentioned in my post last month had made some news.

Mike Repole:
http://www.sagamoreracing.com/new-breed-horse-owners-make-some-noise---sportsbusiness-journal?a=1&c=1145
Is a 100% sure he will own a sports team in the future

Nelson Peltz:
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/2721/power-hours-join-our-chat-at-noon-et-2
Interested in the New Jersey Devils

Original Post:
http://newyorkislandersadrift.blogspot.com/2011/10/possibe-local-buyers.html

What Islander Fans Have To Be Thankful For

I know that things look bleak for Islander Country on and off the ice, but considering what today is we should try to look at the positive.  Give me a second I'm  thinking, lol.  Well many Islander fans are starting to believe that we are starting the process of leaving New York, which is very possible, but I don't think is the case.  Let me explain why I think so.  When Bettman was under oath during the Coyotes bankruptcy case he explained that the league exhaust all options before letting a team leave a market.  If that is truly the case then the Islanders have a safety net in the Barclays Center. With a state of an art arena in the Islanders territory thanks to the 1986 amendment made to the territorial rights between the Rangers that allow us to play in Brooklyn, Queens, Suffolk, and Nassau.  Another reason why Brooklyn can be consider a safety net is that the owners of the arena want the Islanders because they need to fill dates, which makes it possible for Wang to get a good deal.  What if Wang has given up and wants to sell?  The need of the Barclays Center needing to fill their dates our real, so Ratner or Prokhorov will have interest in buying the team (no matter what they say publicly).  So in short we should be thankfully that we have a safety net that can prevent the relocation of our franchise out of New York.     

NESN Broadcast Crew Says Long Island Isn't A Hockey Market

After reading  Lighthouse hockey's recap of last night's debacle I found out that the Bruins Broadcast crew add one more insult for Islander fans.

  One last note:  To the always professional broadcast team at NESN, who stated to the country that the Islanders should be moved from the New York area, that Long Island isn't a hockey town, and that the Isles probably only have two fans watching- Stop by this site sometime and say hello.  I'm sure the TWO fans the Islanders have, that stop by here daily to discuss their favorite team, have a thing or two they'd like to discuss with you.  Keep it classy, Boston.

 http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2011/11/20/2574835/recap-bruins-6-islanders-0-turn-on-your-heartlights#storyjump

Long Island is a hockey market.  Tell me another fan base that has withstood the torment Islander fans have.  We have stood by our team after eighteen seasons without a playoff series win, an owner who was a fraud, owners who destroyed the talent base once they couldn't get an arena, Mike Milbury and his terrible trades, and much more.  Islander fans are waiting for a reason to embrace this team again and sadly it doesn't look like it will happen this season.  Enjoy your fair weather fans Bruins, because once you start losing again your arena will be empty like it was during your last down turn.  Next time Boston is in town let's show NESN and Boston what type of hockey market Long Island really is.   

Bruins Broadcast Crew Talks About The Islanders Arena Situation

http://www.nesn.com/2011/11/nhl-unlikely-to-let-islanders-leave-long-island-but-getting-new-arena-could-ease-tensions.html
In this video the Bruins broadcast crew questions Long Island as a hockey market, but comes to the conclusion that the Islanders will not leave the New York Market. Take a listen for yourself.

Been There And Done That

Before the August 1st referendum the belief was that the Shinnecock building there casino at the Nassau Hub was going be the county's plan to save the Islanders.  However, a negative response from the communities and local colleges around the Hub nixed that idea before it got off the ground.  Someone needs to remind the Mayor of Floral Park Thomas Tweedy that, because he is suggesting this idea again.  He wants the Shinnecock to build a state of an art arena through their gaming recites and Wang would kick in the 14 million annually he promised during the referendum.  Why is he proposing this plan?  Simple he doesn't want the casino and hockey arena neighboring his town of Floral Park by having them at the Belmont Racetrack in Elemont.  It is ridiculous to even suggest this idea after the reception it got the first time it was suggested.  If the Islanders and Shinnecok were to partner up to build an arena and casino resort Belmont is the perfect location.  It is easily accessible by car or public transportation, it has the land and space for both on the property, and he would save the historic Belmont Raceway.  Plus all these elements are needed bu both the Islanders and the tribe.  The Islanders need the additional development to provide them with additional revenue stream for financial stability.  While the Shinnecock need the additional development like the arena and raceway to be competitive with other local casinos if the state ever legalizes gambling.  What other resort would be able to offer concerts, family shows, professional hockey, horse racing, table games, electronic gambling, and a 5 star resort all in one location.  This could be a very profitable project for the Shinnecock, the Islanders, and Nassau County.  Sorry Teddy, but this project belongs at Belmont not at the Nassau Hub. 

Additional Reading:
http://www.antonnews.com/floralparkdispatch/opinion/19170-mayors-message-village-of-floral-park-november-17-2011.html     

Add Hartford to the list of Citiies that want the Islanders.

Howard Bladwin the CEO of the Connecticut Whale has just proposed a plan to renovate the XL Center in down town Hartford.  The plan asks for 105 million dollars of public money to renovate the arena and add a mall next to it.  If Hartford moves forward with this plan their goal is to bring the NHL back and add the city to the long list of place that would love to land the Islanders.  In my mind and heart I believe the Islanders would move to Brooklyn before relocating to a new market like Hartford, Quebec, Seattle, Kansas City, or any other city interested in the team.  Plus it would be hard for a team in Connecticut to develop a fan base, since a large portion of the states hockey fans are loyal to either the Bruins or Rangers.  In addition, a Hartford organization would have to pay a territorial fee to both the Rangers and Bruins and pay to get TV rights in both market.  Hopefully, one day the Whaler fans get there team back, but I don't think they will land the Islanders, because of Brooklyn and the hurdles the market faces . 

Additional Reading:

http://eye-on-hockey.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/27694626/33343940

Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Even though the end of this arena saga is nearing an end, Islander fans still have no clue what the end result will be.  The constant worry in the back of all die hard fans minds that the team might relocated gnaws at them more and more each day.  Bettman has stated many times that the Islanders will not play at the Coliseum one second longer than they have to, unless Nassau has an agreement finalize.  The likelihood of a deal happening with Nassau looks more and more far fetch each day    The longer this process goes with no new news the the likelihood of Brooklyn becoming the Islanders home grows in my mind.  Unless Wang is in serious negotiation with someone at this moment and able to finish the deal soon Brooklyn might be the only hope.

Isles Fans Need To Stay United

Islander fans are a passionate bunch and are also very opinionated.  None of these characteristics change when it comes to the issue of getting a new arena.  Many people believe that they know what is best location for the Islanders new arena.  One thing we cannot forget is that we need to be united.  It doesn't matter if you think Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, or Brooklyn is the best option for the team, because we all want the same thing, to keep our team.  No matter where we end up in the four local options we need to stay united as Islander fans.  Hopefully someday soon a resolution will be found and we can put an end to all this debating and just worry about hockey.

Nassau Hub Left Out

The Long Island Economic Council created by Governor Cuomo has submitted 13 plans for the state to review for state aid.  However, the Nassau Hub was not one of the plans chosen to be looked at by the state.  The reason the council gave for the snub was that the plan wasn't developed enough to be presented.  This is another failure by Ed Mangano.  His first failure was presenting the referendum for a new arena without having all the details in place, and he made the same mistake again by not having a completed plan of the hub to give to the state.  The fact that the hub will not be able to get state money is a serious blow to the Islanders chances of staying where they are.  This forces us as fans to look at the other options we have at this moment:

1) Belmont:
The Belmont Entertainment Center Plan was selected to be presented.  It is possible for the Coliseum to go there if all parties are interested.

2)Suffolk:
Several plans were selected to be consider for state aid in Suffolk County.  The most likely plan that could support a hockey arena and be beneficial for the Isles is the Heartland Project.

3) Brooklyn
No matter how you personally feel about this idea they have an arena and they want us.

4) Queens
Willets Point wants us, but is Wang interested.

Additional Reading:

http://libn.com/2011/11/10/li-eco-dev-council-unveils-transformative-projects/