May 11, 2011, HockeyPrimeTime.com piece on Nassau County and the proposed new arena for the New York Islanders

Islanders stadium plan unveiled

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Written by Denis Gorman

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 18:27

The New York Islanders' future on Long Island lay in the hands of Long Islanders. Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced on Wednesday an Aug. 1 public referendum on his plan to build a state-of-the-art arena, baseball facility and conference center on the ground surrounding the Nassau Coliseum in a press conference at the Islanders' home venue. “For too long, Nassau Coliseum and the property that surrounds it has laid to waste rather than generate revenue for the county that can hold the line on taxes and create jobs and other opportunities for our residents, Mangano added. “The aging Coliseum is no longer competitive with other sports complexes and conference centers in the region and the nation.” Opened in 1972, Nassau Coliseum is the second-oldest arena in the NHL behind only Madison Square Garden. The Garden is undergoing a renovation that is expected to be completed before 2013. If Nassau County residents approve the plan, construction can begin in 2012 and Mangano estimated that the new arena would open “no later than 2015.” Mangano, who shared the dais with Islanders owner Charles Wang and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, was serenaded by Islanders fans in attendance chanting, “build it now.” “Today is a great day for Nassau County,” Mangano said before laying out his plan. He explained that “thousands of construction and secondary construction jobs plus thousands of permanent jobs” would be created. Mangano went on to say that Nassau County residents would “enter into a partnership with the County, New York Islanders and a minor league ball park to provide financing for improvements to the Hub,” which consists of 77 acres on which the current Coliseum stands and Mitchell Field. Mangano was quick to note that the Islanders will pay a percentage of each dollar earned at the proposed building, and that “all contracts to operate county-owned properties in the Hub will require operators to compensate the county. ... The intent here is to not cost the taxpayer one single dime.” Nassau County residents pay on average $8,940 in property taxes, according to a CNN.com story published in Sept. 2010. That the County, Township and franchise reached an accord is a moment that many never thought could happen, as Wang and Murray publicly battled for years over the proposed Lighthouse Project. Wang, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and former County Executive Tom Suozzi pointedly criticized Murray in a press briefing on Opening Night 2009. Wang was irate that a private conversation between he and The Town of Hempstead Supervisor was leaked to Newsday. “Like everything else, I’ve asked them for a yes or no. We’ll see what happens. For two years now, we’ve been working to say ‘Here’s what it is.’ Two years ago I said, ‘Tell me yes or tell me no. If it’s no, tell me what you want and I can tell you what I can or cannot do,’” Wang complained. “I said I would like to have an answer. She said she wasn’t prepared to give me answer.” On the first day of the 2010-11 New York Islanders training camp, Wang again expressed his displeasure with Murray, while GM Garth Snow compared the Coliseum to “an Auto Lodge” when it comes to attracting quality free agents. “We have a lease until 2015. We’re going to be here until 2015. We pursue every option. We certainly would love to entertain whatever it is that the County or Kate Murray propose; we’ll look at it. At the same time, there has been no progress. 2015 is the date when our lease is up We’d love to stay on Long Island. This is our home. We want to be here,” Wang said at the time. “The commissioner of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman, said to me one time (that) ‘The biggest asset you have is an expiring lease.’ I said, ‘OK, I understand.’ ” Still, on Wednesday, Wang and Murray sat near each other, wearing wide smiles and applauding when Mangano introduced the other. “It is a day that shines of compromise and success,” the County Executive noted. On Twitter: @hockeyprimetime and @DenisGorman

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 18:59

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