Islanders arena vote is today

[leaffan]

Residents have from 6:00am to 9:00pm today to vote on whether the city will support the new 400mil arena to keep the islanders on long island.

The owner has said that if it's a no he's probably going to sell or move inland since 8 years ago he tried to develop a property called the lighthouse project that would of been massive but was denied due to community opposition.

Nassau residents already pay on avg. $11,500 a year in property tax alone (that is fuckin crazy and is the highest in the country) and adding another 100 or so onto that isn't something people want.

Will be interesting to see what happends here.

[EmpireWF]

Wang will definitely, 100% move or sell the team (where it's then moved) if he cannot get the necessary votes today.

The taxes in that area of Long Island are out of this world and it's understandable that the people are hesitant to say yes. At the same time, if the Coliseum is out of commission, they lose a couple thousand jobs and that section becomes a ghost town until they develop it again in 10 years or longer in the future.

The vote is to borrow up to $400 million to replace the old ass Coliseum, build a minor league ballpark by the Aviation Museum and other things in the area.

Early word from the polls is voter turnout has been "abysmal" and if I had to guess, I'd say the 'NO' vote wins and the Islanders move in 2015.

Here's Newsday's article on the issues

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/polls-open-to-decide-fate-of-coliseum-1.3065890

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano cast his vote Monday in favor of building a new arena to replace the aged, outdated Nassau Coliseum.

He said he was hopeful other residents were doing the same.

"I feel very positive about how people are voting today," Mangano said after casting his vote on the referendum at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Bethpage.

While some voters seemed to side with Mangano Monday, there remained plenty of naysayers -- voters who said there's no way taxpayers should fund a new arena.

The single-issue referendum asks residents to decide whether they want the county to borrow up to $400 million for construction of a new arena, a minor league baseball park and other economic development projects in the 77-acre Nassau Hub area. The critical vote will determine the fate of the 39-year-old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Islanders, Long Island's only major-league sports franchise.

"Our taxes are high enough," Aleta Lundy, 63, of Farmingdale, said after voting against the referendum at JFK. "It's not a necessity. The Islanders should pay for it themselves. They have enough money . . . I'm living on a fixed income. Anything's too much."

And Marilyn Chicoine, 79, of Bethpage, also voting at the school, said she voted against the referendum.

"Once they put up taxes they never come down again."

The polls opened at 6 a.m., the future of the coliseum, the Islanders and, perhaps, the county's economy at stake.

There are 362 voting locations across the county, including schools, libraries and firehouses. Those polls will close at 9 p.m. Voters will use electronic machines inaugurated by the county last year.

There are nearly 900,000 registered voters in Nassau.

Proponents have pegged a new arena as an essential cog in spurring economic development throughout the cash-strapped county and in creating 3,000 new permanent jobs.

"The downside is that Nassau County has enough debt on its hands without having to build something that's not absolutely necessary," said Seymour Lifshitz of Bellmore, who voted "No" at the Saw Mill Road Elementary School in North Bellmore. "There's already 2,000 people working at the Coliseum -- and a thousand more won't make much of a difference."

Calling the vote "a referendum on the health of Nassau County," another North Bellmore resident, Paule Pachter, said he voted "Yes."

"It's important for the Nassau County economy," Pachter said. "It's not about the Islanders. It's tremendous for entertainment and a valuable piece of property. It brings jobs to Nassau . . . They're not high-paying jobs, but in this economy they're still jobs."

Last week, Mangano said it was important for residents to vote yes because, "It's an opportunity to build an economic base; to create jobs again. To have sales tax revenue; have a new revenue source and have it maintain a quality of life."

Opponents warn of property tax hikes and note that the borrowing over its 30-year life would cost some $800 million.

"This is a one-sided lease agreement that allows Charles Wang, a private individual, to profit," said Mark Hamer, a board member of the Association for a Better Long Island, a real estate group opposed to the project. "It should not be publicly financed."

The county would retain all development rights for the acreage around the Coliseum.

Any future development must include the construction of a parking garage to replace any parking spaces lost to development. County officials said the garage could cost more than $160 million.

The proposal would keep the Islanders in Nassau until at least 2045. Wang has said the team will leave when its lease expires in 2015 if a new arena is not built. "I want to push this thing through," he said. " . . . I've got to get this thing built. If not, let's go on."

Mangano has said without an anchor tenant, the Coliseum would close, taking with it 2,600 jobs. The shortfall in sales tax revenue from a shuttered Coliseum would necessitate a $16 property tax increase, a county consultant said.

The referendum would allow the county to borrow up to $350 million for a new Coliseum and up $50 million for a minor league baseball park at Mitchel Field, to be occupied by a new Independent League team owned by Frank Boulton, owner of Suffolk County's Long Island Ducks.

County officials have said the baseball park would likely cost around $25 million, leaving another $25 million available for Hub development.

"It's time for a change," Vickie Eason, 52, of Freeport, said after voting "Yes" at the Caroline G. Atkinson School in Freeport. "From the look of it [the Coliseum], it needs renovation."

But Philip Jimenez, 61, of Freeport, said: "It irks me that it's Nassau County property and you have to pay to park."

The county will finance the project through general obligation bonds. The average Nassau homeowner would see an increase in property taxes of roughly $58 per year -- 3.5 to 4 percent -- according to the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state monitoring board that controls Nassau's finances.

However, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Budget Review said that if the county uses the revenue from a revenue-sharing agreement with the Islanders to lower Nassau property tax rate, the cost per average homeowner could be as little as $13.80 a year.

Wang will pay for all costs to the arena above $350 million, the lease states. If construction exceeds $375 million, the Islanders could pay the cost overruns, walk away or go back and change the plan.

The lease provides Nassau a minimum of $14 million -- or 11.5 percent of all revenue from inside the Coliseum, including ticket sales, concessions, parking and merchandise.

The deal also includes revenue from all concerts, family shows and non-hockey events. The agreement, however, does not include revenue from the team's lucrative cable deal.

The revenue will go into the county's general fund where Mangano said it will be utilized to pay down Nassau's debt.

If the referendum is approved, it would next go before the 19-member Nassau County Legislature which would require a supermajority of 13 members, including at least two Democrats, to guarantee passage. NIFA also must approve the lease agreement and bonding.

If the deal passes all three hurdles, construction on a new arena could begin in June 2012. If the referendum is defeated, it remains to be seen if Wang will move the Islanders.

Mangano, meanwhile, has said he has a "Plan B" for the property but would not discuss it until after the vote.

"If you have kids or if you're going to have kids there's got to be entertainment here," Janet Nelson of Bellmore said as she left the polling place at Saw Mill Road Elementary, where she voted "Yes."

"I can't afford a train ticket every time I want to go see something . . . If this jump starts the economy, then way to go," Nelson said.

Another voter, Stafford Grant, 50, of Freeport, said the county "is ridiculously overtaxed." He voted no.

"Charles Wang, what he has in his 401k is what I'll make in my entire life . . . If they're going to build something, let them [the team] finance it," Stafford said.

[wr50l]

It'll be a shame to see the Isles not on the Island. A formerly great franchise like that shouldn't have to move. I guess this can happen when you spend fifteen years where your version of the Stanley Cup Finals is beating the Rangers in the regular season.

But at the same time this city funding business seems ridiculous. Only in America do you get governments refusing to pay for healthcare but happy to take part in some huge building project to benefit some exceedingly rich cunt! Build it yourself ya pricks, you're the one making all the money off of it.

[Chrispy]

"There's already 2,000 people working at the Coliseum -- and a thousand more won't make much of a difference."

But if the team moves there will be no one working at the coliseum?!?! Don't get that logic.

So the Inslanders aren't paying for anything? They should at least pay 3/4, if not all of it.

[leaffan]

But if the team moves there will be no one working at the coliseum?!?! Don't get that logic.

So the Inslanders aren't paying for anything? They should at least pay 3/4, if not all of it.

Wang already tried to pay for the whole thing on his own and got shut down by the city.

[leaffan]

Rofl @ these old biatches from empires article

"Our taxes are high enough," Aleta Lundy, 63, of Farmingdale, said after voting against the referendum at JFK. "It's not a necessity. The Islanders should pay for it themselves. They have enough money . . . I'm living on a fixed income. Anything's too much."

And Marilyn Chicoine, 79, of Bethpage, also voting at the school, said she voted against the referendum.

"Once they put up taxes they never come down again."

You voted no when he tried to build it all himself you idiots.

It's pretty obvious that the hockey team is the least of the concerns there.

[EmpireWF]

Vote was a NO.

So unless Wang can get a building built with private funds before 2015, bye bye Isles.

[dave]

Vote was a NO.

So unless Wang can get a building built with private funds before 2015, bye bye Isles.

Isles going to Brooklyn now. That mad Russian is building the new arena NHL-ready. It's done. Brooklyn Islanders? Given the effects of global warming, I suppose Brooklyn could eventually become an island.

[Ravin]

And then will begin the "Wait, we don't want them to go." calls coming into the media and fans will come out to support the leaving team.

As long as they don't move the team outside of New York, I don't care. I don't get all nostalgic about 'Long Island". If it can't run the team, then put it some place that can. Just keep it in New York. I don't want a "New York" team playing outside New York, ala Giants and Jets.

[EmpireWF]

I guess there's no reason to believe the Isles moving to Brooklyn can't feasibly work. The NBA/NHL thing in the same building is nothing major and I'm sure all the investors in the Barclays Center and the Brooklyn powerbrokers are all creaming to get as many entertainment and sports deals signed.

It would be pretty funny if after 55 years without a major professional sports franchise, Brooklyn could end up with 2 within a 5 year period.

Still won't make up for the Dodgers leaving, but it'll have to do.

[NAHSTE]

Isles going to Brooklyn now. That mad Russian is building the new arena NHL-ready. It's done. Brooklyn Islanders? Given the effects of global warming, I suppose Brooklyn could eventually become an island.

Brooklyn is on Long Island too. Anyway, I really hope this is the eventual solution, both selfishly and for the team's sake. I need a hockey team since being widowed by the Thrashers, and the Islanders need a home in the metro area. This will allow them to remain on the Island, keep their identity, and allow their old fans to easily attend games. The Long Island Railroad runs directly into the Barclay's Center site, it'll only be a 30-45 minute ride so games will still be accessible for the die hards. Additionally a whole new group of young fans (many who are new residents to the city and thus have no prior allegiance to the Rangers) can potentially open up more revenue streams. I live 5 minutes from the arena site, I would probably attend at least two games a month and I'm not even that big of a hockey fan. Considering I drink like 4-5 beers at any sporting event I go to, they're already looking at a decent chunk of my income just due to proximity.

[leaffan]

By the sounds of it the public interest was really low.

It's pretty much up to Wang now for what he's going to do. Wouldn't be surprised that he's fed up with this whole situation.

[dave]

Brooklyn is on Long Island too.

Doh! Didn't know that.

[NAHSTE]

Doh! Didn't know that.

Yeah it'd be a stretch to say they are still "on the Island" but technically they would be. Brooklyn occupies King County, the westernmost county on Long Island. Everything east of Queens is technically "Long Island" but Queens and Brooklyn are on the same land mass. I think they could get away with keeping the NY Islanders identity that way.

Here's the distance between the current arena and the one Prokhorov is building. Google Maps says it's about 40 miles away. Still about an hour and a half round trip to see your team play but it's a hell of a lot closer than the distance from Atlanta to Winnipeg. Do it, Wang!

[Youk]

By the sounds of it the public interest was really low.

It's pretty much up to Wang now for what he's going to do. Wouldn't be surprised that he's fed up with this whole situation.

A lot of the support seemed to really come from Suffolk County, next door. The majority of the voters that came out seemed to be the old senile types.

It's a shame because this arena is a wreck, and there is nothing around there to do after the game. If you turn left out of Nassau Coliseum, you'll hit the highway. If you accidently turn right, you'll pass by a gun shop, a liquor store, a McDonalds, and then downtown Hempstead. Don't forget the dorms of Hofstra University, that have a barbed wire fence surrounding them. You can't just build an arena there, you need to put a couple of other things around with it, and for that, you need money. The arguments against the arena are correct, though. The county is loaded in debt right now, and has been in financial ruins my entire life.

Here are a couple local Newsday articles about the situation. These are usually blocked if you're not a subscriber or a local IP.

Now what?
With the defeat of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano's proposal to borrow up to $400 million for a new Coliseum and a minor league ballpark, the page immediately turned to other options.
In an interview before the vote, Mangano said he is prepared to file a request for proposals for the 77-acre site that would be open to anyone with "a sustainable vision for the property." He said it will take up to six weeks to prepare and file the RFP.

The request, which would include the Town of Hempstead's zoning guidelines, would not require the winner to maintain the Coliseum or build a new arena -- and could include ideas that don't involve a sports team.
Mangano noted that the RFP will present the existing situation, noting that the county is involved in a lease with the Islanders until 2015 and that even after that point, the building's presence on the site will remain an issue for any developer to address.
"We're looking for a vision on what we have and what will become available in 2015," Mangano said.
Islanders owner Charles Wang said before the vote that he had no Plan B, adding that for the Islanders, the alternative would be to leave when the team's lease expires in 2015.
"We will explore all our options going forward," said Islanders senior vice president Michael Picker. "We have hockey to play and we're committed to the Nassau Coliseum until 2015."
The county legislature could still approve the borrowing even if voters turn it down, but several legislators said there are alternatives that could include both development of the space and the Islanders, without public money.
Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) said the county could push for proposals that would allow for private investment for a new arena and development. "We need to make sure the Islanders stay and we have a Coliseum we can work with," Wink said. "But we also need to make sure the private sector is heavily involved if not exclusively involved in the redevelopment of the hub area."
Legis. Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) suggested that any request for proposals should offer the development opportunity to anyone who could provide an anchor tenant for the arena and was willing to put in the most private funding.
Ed Ward, an aide to Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt, said the legislature will not play any role until a new proposal is made. "The legislature will wait to see what the county executive intends to do with the parcel," Ward said.
Nassau County Democratic Committee chairman Jay Jacobs, meanwhile, has suggested the county could sell the Coliseum to Wang, leaving the rest of the land for development.
Jacobs said Wang could then privately pay to build a new arena, either on his own, through an investment group, or with the help of personal seat licenses -- a per-seat fee for the right to buy season tickets, which is now popular in professional football.
There is a precedent for seat licenses in hockey. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus (Ohio) Blue Jackets both offer them; the Pittsburgh Penguins decided not to charge the fees when they opened their arena in 2010. The Florida Panthers offer licenses for "premium seating," giving its fans the opportunity to buy seats that they could use for hockey games, concerts and other events.
But some suggest that will only work here if demand far surpasses supply -- and so might not be appropriate for the Islanders.

Nassau County residents Monday rejected a plan to borrow up to $400 million for a new Nassau Coliseum and minor league baseball park.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, the vote was 57 percent against to 43 percent for the referendum, according to the Board of Elections website.
"The people of Nassau County have spoken and I can take joy in knowing that we celebrated democracy today," Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano told supporters at the Coliseum Monday night.

"Over the course of the past several weeks, we all learned a lot about our county and what is needed to improve our local economy," he said. "I can tell you this, tonight is not the end of our journey, but merely the beginning. In the coming weeks I will explore a path for new opportunities and growth in Nassau County."
Islanders owner Charles Wang, speaking after Mangano, said, "I have to tell you I'm disappointed and to put it very bluntly, I'm heartbroken. I have to tell you it's a very emotional day for us."
Wang said that, despite the disappointment, "we're committed to the Nassau Coliseum until 2015. We will honor our lease."
But Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs, who opposed the plan for taxpayers to borrow up to $400 million, said late last night, "The voters clearly have rejected a property tax hike for this purpose. Now it's our obligation to find the solution that enables us to build a new Coliseum with private money, not taxpayer money."
Proponents had pegged a new arena as an essential cog in spurring economic development throughout the cash-strapped county and in creating 3,000 permanent jobs.
Opponents warned of property tax hikes and noted the borrowing over its 30-year life would cost some $800 million.
On a day of light turnout, the single-issue referendum asked residents to decide whether they want the county to borrow up to $400 million for construction of a new arena, a minor league baseball park and other economic development projects in the 77-acre Nassau hub area.
Jimmy Castellane, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk counties, expressed disappointment but said his members would "continue to fight" for a new arena.
"We'll continue to try to move forward with progress. We know something has to get built here," he said. "I have thousands of guys sitting at home now," out of work.
Wang had said the team would leave when its lease expires in 2015 if a new arena is not built, raising the prospect that the 39-year-old arena could close without a major tenant.
Voters offered sharply different views of the project as they emerged from polling places Monday.
Irving and Alice Lyons walked out of a Uniondale polling place together and said they had both voted no. For them, the decision was about taxes and traffic. "He can afford to build it himself," Irving Lyons said of Wang.
Gay Aiello, 78, of Elmont, said he had voted to authorize the borrowing, fearing Long Island's only major sports team would leave. "If they leave us, they're going to leave a big empty space," he said.
The proposal would have kept the Islanders in Nassau until at least 2045. Mangano said that without an anchor tenant, the Coliseum would close, taking 2,600 jobs. The shortfall in sales tax revenue from a shuttered Coliseum would cause an average property tax increase of $16 per homeowner, a county consultant said.
Nassau would have received a minimum of $14 million annually in revenue from the Islanders. The annual debt service on the Coliseum piece of the development would have been about $26 million a year, or more than $800 million over the 30-year life of the bonds.
The nonpartisan Office of Legislative Budget Review says the net cost could have been as little as $13.80 for the average homeowner per year. If the team revenue did not go to tax reduction, the average homeowner would have paid an additional $58 per year, the office said. Team and county officials said the revenue from the team, plus increases in sales taxes a new arena is expected to generate, would have offset any tax increase.
With Sid Cassese, Mikala Jamison, William Murphy, Candice Ruud, John Valenti and Patrick Whittle