If there is something that I have not really given enough attention to, it is the all important and deserving Lighthouse Project. It’s not for any specific reason really, it is something I REALLY want to happen for both Long Island and the New York Islanders, I just haven’t blogged about much of anything really which you all already know.

I opened up Newsday today as I do every morning and read every story as I sipped my scolding hot 7-11 coffee and found a story on the Lighthouse Project. It is something that has been a regular fixture in the local section of the paper as of late, as the momentum for the project has been steadily increasing over the last few months. I will be honest about one thing, no – make it two things; I REALLY hate politics, I mean with the fire of a thousand burning suns type of hate and I really don’t know enough about the process to make educated comments regularly. It’s not that I haven’t been afforded opportunities to either – Katrina Doell of the Lighthouse Development Group has invited myself and other bloggers to countless public and private meetings and rallies – they are usually while I am at work and for the most part cannot sneak out (trust me, I would if I could in order to educate myself).

In case you do not know, the Town of Hempstead is opening up the enviornmental review to “local government officials, representatives from involved agencies such as the state departments of Transportation, Health and Environment; the Uniondale school district; and residents near the site” for a 45-day public comment period. Whatever enviornmental concerns there are with any of the groups listed, they will work through them together and move another step closer towards allowing Charles Wang and Scott Rechler to break ground or in any case onto the next step in the process.

Here is the Newsday story:

The public will soon be able to weigh in on the environmental impact of the Lighthouse project, which proposes a community around an upgraded Nassau Coliseum.

Lighthouse principals Charles Wang and Scott Rechler have proposed a $3.7-billion development to include 2,300 living units and 1.5 million square feet of office space, shops and restaurants.

On Aug. 4, the Hempstead Town Board is expected to hear concerns from local government officials, representatives from involved agencies such as the state departments of Transportation, Health and Environment; the Uniondale school district; and residents near the site.

Hempstead officials said its consultants will use input from the public hearing to make sure all issues are addressed in a final environmental impact statement.

Some weighed in with concerns early on in the process.

Nassau County’s public works officials said in a May memo they would need proof the project has sufficient facilities to store drainage runoff, a proper destination for storm water overflow and an erosion control plan.

County health officials said in a 2008 letter they were concerned about water and sewer availability; the design of the sewage disposal system; any potential contamination on or surrounding the site; whether a licensed inspector will check for asbestos before any demolition; and hard-wired carbon monoxide alarms and a ventilation system in the underground parking garage.

An attorney for Garden City has cautioned that if the environmental review is “short-circuited” and doesn’t adequately address the adjacent village’s concerns, including water and air quality, they would sue the town and developers.

Hempstead Village officials have said the Lighthouse draft environmental report ignores their community’s downtown redevelopment, and that a lawsuit is possible.

Uniondale school officials have said they believe the developers’ estimate of an additional 330 school-aged children is low.

Today, the Hempstead Town Board is expected to declare the Lighthouse developers’ draft statement on environmental impact ready for public review, opening a minimum 45-day public comment period.

The August 4th meeting will take place at Hempstead Town Hall and is two sessions: 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. If you can make it, I urge you to show up in support of the project – but remain respectful in doing so (naturally).

Update 12:00pm

Just got word from the Lighthouse Group that there is also a meeting this week and a clarification of the Newsday article:

At the regularly scheduled Town of Hempstead Town Board meeting at 10:30 a.m. on July 7, the Town Board will take a step toward final zoning approvals with a vote on the completeness of the Draft Generic Environmental Studies. These studies were conducted in cooperation with the Town of Hempstead. The meeting will be held at Town Hall, located at One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY.

Please note, a story which appeared in the July 6, 2009 edition of Newsday incorrectly stated that this meeting was being held on July 6.

The same Newsday story also indicated that the Town will be holding public hearings related to the project on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. More information to follow from the Town of Hempstead on the time and location of this important meeting. The public hearing is the most important time for supporters of the project to turn out and let their voices be heard. Please put this date on your calendar!

We look forward to seeing you at these important events.

For more information check out Katrina Doell’s blog The Light Post or The Official Lighthouse Project website.

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Just a little inside scoop for everyone!

Islanders owner Charles Wang will appear on the Boomer and Carton show which airs on WFAN (660am) tomorrow morning at 9:05am to discuss the Lighthouse Project. Boomer is a great interviewer and has spoken to Charles about the Lighthouse project once before earlier this season. My guess is that Boomer won’t stop at the Lighthouse, being the interview takes place the day after one of the most important draft lotteries in recent Islanders history!

Listen to the Boomer and Carton show on WFAN 660 at 9:05 a.m. tomorrow (April 15) to hear Lighthouse principal Charles Wang talk with Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton.

The day after the draft lottery will be an interesting time for the Islanders owner to discuss the future of the team and the Lighthouse project. Tune in for the update.

The interview, like all of Boomer and Carton’s shows, will be streaming live at http://www.wfan.com/. Look for the ‘listen here’ link.

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I apologize for getting this out so late today, but I was at work when I received a press release through the Nassau County Legislature regarding a press conference outside the Coliseum this Saturday at 11am. The even will take place in between the Coliseum and the Marriot on the grassy knoll separating the two buildings.

Set to speak at the event (that will feature a GIAGANTIC blow up of the Memorandum of Support) are Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), John Durso, President of the LI Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) and Jim Castellane, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties – among others.

Here is the official release:

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), John Durso, President of the LI Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) and Jim Castellane, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties will co-host a press conference with other elected officials, labor leaders, civic leaders, veterans, residents and Islander fans to demonstrate support for the Lighthouse at Long Island Project. They will add their names to a memorandum of support for the project.

Legislator Denenberg said, “Elected officials, labor, business, community and civic leaders are being asked to show their support for this project. The Lighthouse at Long Island will increase tax revenue, create new jobs and career opportunities, create attractive housing alternatives, grow existing businesses and attract new business to Nassau County. The project will also save the NY Islanders hockey team. The Lighthouse is the most important development in Nassau County since Levittown and is smart growth that Nassau County needs now. This is not the time to sit on the fence; it is the time for real leadership to take a position that this is the right project at the right time for Nassau County.”

If you can make it (hopefully the weather holds) it should be a nice afternoon. Stick around after the game and catch the Islanders take on the Flyers at 2pm. I am going to do my best to get there – but I know the fans and other Islanders bloggers will be there in force.

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Everything we do as Islanders fans the last few years has been some sort of a “watch”.

Last season fans were obsessed with the “Stamkos Watch” – this obviously didn’t work out favorably for the team – finishing with the 5th selection in the draft and retaining it during the lottery. We all know how it ended up, trading the 5th for the 7th and eventually the 9th to get Josh Bailey and a gaggle of extra picks. There is nothing wrong with Josh Bailey by any stretch – it just wasn’t titled the “Bailey Watch”.

This season we have two additional watches – one being the “Tavares Watch” which seems to be going swimmingly. James Mirtle commented this afternoon how it was just about the only thing the Islanders have been doing right this season. It’s still not a complete lock, but it’s definately a better shot at the number one pick than last year.

Our second watch is the “Lighthouse Project Watch”. The Lighthouse Project took a major step forward in it’s approval this morning at Town Hall in Hempstead. When the Lighthouse Group invited myself and several other bloggers to their offices at Rexcorp Plaza, we were told that once accepting the scope – the town was expecting them to turn in their environmental impact study “in a time frame measured with a calendar – but should be expected it in a time frame measured on a wrist watch”. It was not said to be factitious, I understood that. I was not expecting the group to hand over an 1,800 page document during the board meeting. I am sure that dropped a few jaws – it’s just a shame I couldn’t get out of work to be there.

There was plenty of coverage today – Nick G was in the crowd and took plenty of notes with his Let There be Light(house) blog. He lists the current phase of the process waiting game. He really deserves credit for being so dedicated to a cause – I tell ya.

Chris Botta was also in the crowd at Hempstead Town Hall – blogging away from his Blackberry.

Dee Karl – AKA 7th Woman had recaps and a “post game” report summarizing the events as well.

Katrina Doell does a great job as always blogging away on the official Lighthouse blog – The Light Post.

There was also an official press release given to me by the Lighthouse Group:

FEBRUARY 24, 2009, Uniondale, NY – Today, immediately after the Town of Hempstead Board publicly adopted the final scope of environmental impact studies for the Lighthouse at Long Island project, Lighthouse Development Group submitted to the Town the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) which thoroughly covers the studies outlined in the scope.

“Getting to this point has taken seven years,” said Michael Picker, President ofLighthouse Development Group. “However, Long Island can’t wait any longer. That is
why, as the Town of Hempstead and its consultants were working diligently to prepare the final scoping document for environmental review, our team has been working day and night on that next step – the DGEIS, which we submitted to the Town this afternoon. We know that by continuing to work hand in hand, Lighthouse Development Group and the Town of Hempstead can make the Lighthouse Project a reality.”

Long Island is experiencing unprecedented, unparalleled, and uncharted economic strain. The need for an economic catalyst for Long Island is painfully apparent. The Lighthouse Project, which is anticipated to create 75,000 construction and related jobs, 19,000 permanent jobs, and $71 million in new annual tax revenues, is just that.

The DGEIS, including an executive summary, will be available on the Lighthouse Development Group website, www.lighthouseli.com.

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