Nassau Coliseum development

[NIMBYkiller]

Cool or not it's just not practical

[Alonzo-ny]

Its stupid where it is, now if he moved to lic or somewhere closer to the city it would really be something. Why be so far from the city anyway, move to the city and a much bigger market dominated by the rangers. I think new york could use a tower like that. Yeah its chinese looking and yes its very cool. For a city thats the worlds most diverse shouldnt its skyline be diverse too? If nys buildings were nationalities it wouldnt be diverse at all would it there isnt much major differnce in alot of the buildings in ny really. I mean the difference between wangs tower and ny's tower is big and it shows a bit of innovation and willingness for something not done before

[NIMBYkiller]

The point behind it being where it is planned is so that the Nassau Hub can grow even more as a major economic center/employment area/whatever you want to call it.

[Jake]

Finally found this...shouldn't this be in the New York Skyscrapers forum?

Anyway, speaking as a hockey fan the Islanders are gonna start a new season soon which means a few things. One, the NHL lockout is over therefore there will be a season this year and they should make money and two, the Isles made some big name trades so the team will be more recognizable now. Both help this project greatly since it basically is the hockey team that's this project's only chance.

Also, Wang is the founder of Computer Associates so I wouldn't be surprised if CA moved some offices into the building.

There's an online petition on http://lighthouseli.com/ to get this stuff moving. Eager to hear about developments

[NIMBYkiller]

I have drawn out a VERY crude ariel layout of my plans for the Nassau Hub. The backbone of the new Nassau Hub will be the extension of Glenn Curtis Blvd north between the hotel and the coliseum, and then connecting to Charles Lindbergh Blvd. The veins will be a a monorail operating from the Roosevelt Field Mall, south along Oak St, then along Charles Lindbergh Blvd, down the Glenn Curtis extension, then down the Meadowbrook Parkway.

Also, a commuter rail loop along Charles Lindbergh Blvd and the Meadowbrook Parkway and then reconnecting with existing tracks near the Nassau Community College.

The order in which each part of this project I plan to have completed, followed by a description of that project, is as follows:

1st. Nassau Coliseum/Plaza
-Refurbishing the Nassau Coliseum
-Conversion of the open space adjacent to the coliseum on the eastern side into an outdoor plaza(much like that planned in the Lighthouse plan by Charles Wang)

2nd. Nassau Quad
-Extension of Glenn Curtis Blvd to Charles Lindbergh Blvd
-4 new 8-10 story commercial buildings between the Glenn Curtis extension, Doolittle Blvd, the hotel, and Hempstead Tpke
-One parking garage in between all 4 buildings of equal height, with connecting street running from the Glenn Curtis extension to Doolittle Blvd.

3rd. Residences
-New street(Plaza Blvd) stretching from Doolittle Blvd, between the Nassau Quad and the hotel, along the south side of the coliseum, then down to Hempstead Tpke
-3 new 20 story apartment buildings on the west side of the Nassau Coliseum. Parking garages below each of the buildings for the residents of those buildings
-Parking lot south of the new apartments for visitors

4th. Research Center
-Construction of a new multi-story research center southwest of the Nassau Coliseum
-Multi-story parking garage

5th. Conference Center
-New conference center which will host job fairs, college fairs, and other business related events
-Located on the south side of the Nassau Coliseum on the new Plaza Blvd

6th. More commercial property
-2 more new commercial buildings 8-10 stories high along the west side of the Glenn Curtis Blvd extension

Also involved in the construction is the greenway system within the hub that will expand as well to surrounding neighborhoods. As for transportation, a bus terminal will be constructed at a strategic location within the hub and will provide transportation to communities all over Long Island as well as to New York City. This would be integrated with the monorail and commuter rail services as well.

[evil_synth]

On Page 92 on the November edition of Business 2.0 magazine, there's mention of Charles Wang, founder of Computer Associates who is turning 77 acers of underused land into multi-level parking garages, office buildings, ect... along with a 60-story tower in Union Dale.
According to http://www.antonnews.com/westburytimes/2005/04/01/news/ this tower will be called the Lighthouse at Long Island.
The official website for this is:
http://www.lighthouseli.com/

Full shot of of the tower.. not too good.

The tower will be approximately 20-25 miles from downtown manhattan.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=uniond...0.611870&hl=en (google maps link)
View from the observation sphere:

[evil_synth]

That's a really good link to see a satellite pic, thanks.
The plan also calls for the new stadium to be built, which I assume will be for the New York Islanders, of which Mr. Wang co-owns. Other sport will probably also be played there as well.
I haven't been able to find a height on this tower yet, but I assume it'll be around 800 feet?

[NIMBYkiller]

The plan is NOT to build a new stadium, but rather, to refurbish the existing coliseum.

I still have my doubts about this plan though. There are better ways to make use of the land there. Suozzi had it right with his original idea. Just fuse his idea with Wang's idea, minus this ultra tall lighthouse.

Maybe they could just move the lighthouse a little further north...I'm looking forward to seeing what the layout map of this area will look like.

[Supercool Dude]

They wanna renovate Bust Palace!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMFAO!

[noik53]

Mets toss changeup
Revise pitch for Nassau Coliseum site with new arena, rather than a renovated one, in bid to outdo Wang

BY EMI ENDO
STAFF WRITER

December 28, 2005

The New York Mets Development Corp., in its latest pitch to develop one of the most valuable parcels of open land left in Nassau County, is proposing to replace the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with a new arena.

The Mets and partners also would throw in an extra $25 million to help build a light rail terminal, upping the ante in a bidding contest that includes software billionaire Charles Wang and others to develop the 77-acre site in Uniondale.

Though the Mets' original plans called for renovating the aging arena, an amended version of the plan filed with Nassau County last week from the team made up of the Mets, Sterling Equities and the Blumenfeld Development Group, calls for building a new venue that can be used by the Islanders, unless they choose to leave. If so, it could be available for another sports team. The Mets' previous plan also offered Nassau its first minor league baseball stadium.

"We believe the county deserves a new arena," Ed Blumenfeld, president of Blumenfeld Development Group, said yesterday.

The Coliseum - built in 1972 - is a popular concert venue but one of the smallest arenas in the National Hockey League, with 16,234 seats. As early as 1985, consultants advised it was too small and outmoded.

The Mets, Wang and the other two developers in the running had until Dec. 23 to submit their "final and best offers" before Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi picks the plan he likes best. The county legislature then intends to review the proposals, hold public hearings, and select a developer next year.

Wang, owner of the Islanders, with partner Reckson Associates, has made a $1-billion proposal for a 60-story "Lighthouse" hotel/residential complex. Wang said last month he was open to suggestions for replacing the soaring centerpiece - which has generated much controversy - with some other kind of iconic statement. Chris Botta, a spokesman for the Lighthouse project, declined to comment yesterday.

Developer Vincent Polimeni, whose partner is the Cordish Co., said yesterday he had submitted minor changes to his plan but "didn't tweak it by much."

Polimeni's $725-million proposal, called the Forum at Uniondale, calls for erecting a 600,000-square-foot county center as well as other offices, a commercial building and housing.

The other proposal, an $800-million project, by longtime Long Island builders Engel Burman of Lynbrook and Kabro Associates, calls for 800 condominium units and possibly office space. Jan Burman, of Engel Burman, said his proposal was "pretty much the same," although he added an option to renovate the Coliseum if he was able to work out a deal with the Islanders and the county.

The original Mets-Blumenfeld proposal was for a sports and entertainment development including a hotel and convention center, offices and housing, and a monorail system connected to the Long Island Rail Road system. It was estimated to cost $1.4 billion; the current version would add roughly $125 million to the total, said Blumenfeld spokesman Gary Lewi. Now, the developer also would build a pedestrian bridge to connect to Hofstra University.

In a letter to Suozzi, Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz praised the idea of a pedestrian bridge as helping students integrate into the local community.

David Blumenfeld, vice president of Blumenfeld Development Group, said that while it would be more expensive to build a new coliseum, the developers were willing to put more into the project if the county and the Islanders, who would have remained at the facility rent-free under the original proposal, also contributed.

Suozzi had no comment yesterday.

METS' PROPOSAL

Developers: New York Mets Development Corp., Sterling Equities of Great Neck, Blumenfeld Development Group of Syosset

The plan: A sports and entertainment development with hotel and convention center, offices, housing and a monorail link to the LIRR

Centerpiece: A new arena and a minor-league baseball stadium

The Coliseum: Plan calls for building new arena in current parking lot, and a new pedestrian bridge link with Hofstra University.

Total cost: $1.5 billion

WANG'S PROPOSAL

Developers: Charles Wang, owner of New York Islanders and co-founder of Computer Associates International of Islandia; Reckson Associates Realty Corp., of Melville

The plan: Residential, commercial and retail, including a sports technology center, a state-of-the-art conference facility and a hotel-condo tower

Centerpiece: The 60-story "Lighthouse" featuring an observation deck, a five-star hotel and luxury condos

The Coliseum: $150 million to increase seating to 17,500 from 16,300 for hockey games and up to 20,000 for concerts; adds 50 luxury suites to the current 31

Total cost: $1 billion

OTHER PROPOSALS

THE COUNTY CENTER

Developers: Polimeni International, a Garden City real estate firm; and The Cordish Co., a Baltimore entertainment development company

The plan: County government center and buildings for the Nassau police and the Department of Social Services; an office building, three buildings of apartments and condos

Centerpiece: A $75-million, 600,000-square-foot government center to consolidate county offices

The Coliseum: $150 million to add skyboxes and rink-side boxes, and an entertainment venue

Total cost: $725 million

CONDO/COMMERCIAL

Developers: Engel Burman of Lynbrook and Kabro Associates of Woodbury

The plan: Two proposals: one for using all 77 acres for condominiums and office buildings, the other to use 40 acres for the condos

Centerpiece: About 800 condominium units in four 15-story towers, including senior housing

The Coliseum: No plans

Total cost: $800 million
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.


For More info go to Newsday.com

[lofter1]

Another one bites the dust ...

Nassau Developer Drops Plan for 60-Story Lighthouse Tower

By JENNIFER MEDINA
New York Times
December 29, 2005

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/29/ny...ighthouse.html


The owner of the New York Islanders hockey team has dropped his plan to build a 60-story tower in the heart of Nassau County, relenting to complaints that the building would be out of place on suburban Long Island.

The tower was the centerpiece of a $1 billion plan to redevelop the area around the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, near Hofstra University and Nassau Community College, and it was to have a beacon to resemble a lighthouse tower. The developer hoped the tower would become a symbol of Long Island.

The tower, and the lighthouse design, were attacked by groups seeking to preserve the suburban nature of Nassau County and hoping to keep so powerful a light out of an area without other bright lighting.

The dispute also enveloped Thomas R. Suozzi, the county executive, who embraced the plan at first but then, under pressure, sought additional development proposals.

The tower and overall development of the area around the aging Coliseum were proposed by Charles B. Wang, a software billionaire who owns both the Islanders and the New York Dragons, an arena-football team, both of which play in the Coliseum. Mr. Suozzi and Mr. Wang announced a tentative deal for the development in October 2004.

In return for overhauling the Coliseum and pledging to keep his teams there, Mr. Wang would have the right to develop the surrounding 77 acres in a 99-year lease with the county. The Coliseum, built in 1972, is one of the smallest sites in the National Hockey League.

Mr. Suozzi threw the process open for more proposals and received three others in October 2005. All four developers were asked to present their final offer in writing to the county by last week.

Mr. Wang had informally indicated his willingness to drop the tower and lighthouse part of his proposal at a public hearing last month. He formally stated his decision in a letter to Mr. Suozzi last Thursday, and county officials confirmed the contents of the letter yesterday.

"This issue has caused the project to be held hostage," Mr. Wang and his partner, Scott Rechler, the chief executive of Reckson Associates Realty Corporation, wrote in the letter. "While the two of us have repeatedly stated that this project needs a distinctive icon, we are not willing to allow the tower to be the political football that keeps the lighthouse project from becoming a reality."

Mr. Wang also stated in the letter that he would look for ways to "develop an appropriate icon for the project," but did not elaborate. The letter leaves open the possibility that the project could include a lighthouse effect, though not perched high above the island.

Another developer, the New York Mets Development Corporation, submitted a final proposal last week calling for replacing the Coliseum entirely and spending $25 million to help build a light-rail terminal in the area. That $1.5 billion proposal by the Mets and its partners, Sterling Equities and the Blumenfeld Development Group, includes plans for a minor league baseball team to play at a new site.

Helena E. Williams, the deputy county executive, said that Mr. Suozzi would send the four proposals to consultants for evaluation and that he expected a report back by mid-January. Mr. Suozzi will present one to the County Legislature.

Most of the harshest critics of the tower and lighthouse could not be reached for comment yesterday. But Mitchell H. Pally, the vice president for government affairs for the Long Island Association, a business group, said the tower had been an important symbol, although he thought the project could still be successful.

"We have to learn to go up rather than sideways, when there is a scarcity of land," he said. "But that can still be accomplished without a 60-story building."

Copyright 2005The New York Times Company

[NIMBYkiller]

Amazing how only 1 of the 4 plans mention anything about improvements in public transportation. And where will this light rail run to?

Include a direct LIRR link to the hub via the Garden City Secondary and a new loop track that will allow trains to travel south towards the coliseum and then return up to the secondary.

A light rail line along Hempstead Tpke would be good though. NY24 can definately handle the line.

[Scruffy88]

Ha, I knew they would chicken out and not build that tower. Bunch of wussies. That tower was too bold and ballsy for Long Island. suckers. It would have looked real good. It could very well have defined the island. God, that annoys me. Grow a pair!

i feel that i'm allowed to make fun of Nassau County government since I formerly lived there

[Scruffy88]

I really have my doubts that anything will get built there, Until I see a shovel in the ground or a bulldozer knockin something over, I will remain skeptical that there will ever be something built there.

[tmg]

The New York Times
Nassau Chooses Developer to Revive Coliseum Area
By PAUL VITELLO
Published: March 16, 2006

MINEOLA, N.Y., March 15 — In a marriage of sports and real estate that seems to be emerging as a preferred formula for rejuvenating indolent landscapes, Nassau County officials have chosen a developer to revive the area surrounding the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale.

Officials involved in the yearlong selection process said that on Thursday, County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi would announce his choice of a $1.5 billion proposal by the Lighthouse Group, one of four plans submitted for consideration.

The Lighthouse Group is led by Charles Wang, the Long Island businessman and owner of the New York Islanders, who are based at the Coliseum, and by Reckson Associates, a local real estate firm.

Mr. Wang was the first developer and for a time the only developer to present a plan for the 77-acre site, most of which is now parking lots. The three other proposals, including one by the owners of the New York Mets, were made only after members of the Nassau County Legislature insisted that the county executive seek competing proposals.

Mr. Wang seems to have held the inside track all along because he alone could guarantee that a sports franchise, the Islanders, would continue to occupy the county-owned coliseum. But his plan has not been without obstacles. He had initially proposed what he called an "iconic" 62-story office tower as the anchor of his project. He backed away from that after opponents complained it would clash with the suburban skyline.

Mr. Wang had since amended his proposal to include a baseball stadium and a trolley that would connect the stadium to the coliseum and to a mixture of residential and commercial buildings. His plan also proposes $200 million in improvements to the aging arena.

The plan must still receive approval from the Nassau County Legislature, following what are expected to be well-attended public hearings. Many residential and commercial neighbors of the coliseum have already raised questions about the development's potential effects on traffic congestion and ground water pollution, as well as concerns about competition with existing businesses.

Since the mid-1980's, when housing and commercial development were coupled with a new baseball stadium in Baltimore, resulting in a successful revitalization of a dying downtown area, a number of cities and older suburbs have sought similar magic by rubbing together sports and real estate development, Houston, Los Angeles and Palm Springs among them.

In Anaheim, Calif., there are plans to build high-rise condominiums and stores on the land surrounding the Angels' baseball stadium. In Brooklyn, the developer Bruce C. Ratner plans to build a residential and commercial complex over and near railyards with a new Nets basketball arena as its centerpiece.

The Nassau County officials said their main motivation in the coliseum redevelopment was to bring more people and new tax revenue to an area that is losing both. The 77-acre property is one of the largest undeveloped public properties in Nassau County, where a vast majority of 1.2 million people live in single-family dwellings.

In a joint statement on Wednesday night, Jeff Wilpon and David Blumenfeld, the principal partners in the redevelopment plan submitted by the Mets Development Corporation, which was said to be a close runner-up to Mr. Wang's, expressed disappointment:

"We believe that a new state-of-the-art arena, a new minor league ballpark with a Mets-affiliated team, a significant commitment to a mass transit connection and the better economic return to the county contained in our plan was compelling."

The Mets proposed to demolish the coliseum and build a new arena. While Mr. Wang's plan includes a ballpark, it does not put a team affiliated with Major League Baseball inside, only a team from the unaffiliated Atlantic League.

Once approved by the Legislature, the plans for the redevelopment project would be submitted for approval to the Town of Hempstead, which holds local regulatory authority over all zoning and planning of new construction, a process that could take two years or more.