The Public Authorities Control Board approved the Islanders Arena at Belmont Park on Wednesday, moving the process one step closer to completion.
New York’s Empire State development Corporation will close the comment period on the Final Environmental Impact Statement tomorrow and schedule a vote.
The only other board to needing to vote is the Franchise Oversight Board, considered a rubber stamp.
Jon Ledecky, co-owner of the Islanders, tweeted, “Actual ceremony after Labor Day. Work on the arena might begin in next two weeks. One more hurdle to pass on August 8th. Building “A done deal”.
8 Responses
The last time I was on the Cross Island and I passed Belmont a couple of weeks ago the dealer cars were still parked there but they had the car carriers there with cars loaded on them so I’m guessing they were in the process of removing the cars. Hopefully construction starts soon and we can get back to dealing with the on ice product.
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They don’t use that front lot (Red parking field) for new car storage, but they do in the North lot, where someday there will be a LIRR station. The most use for that is the lot inside the training track. So, you see, there is still plenty of room for NYRA to earn some extra bucks from the car dealers.
NYAP is done with the bidding process and Wilpon hired a project manager for the Arena. All systems go. I get some before and after photos to post when things happen.
So far it seems the completion date hasn’t changed so let’s hope it opens on time without any serious delays. I think they estimate it will take 20 months to build the arena, I’m not in construction but I’m guessing it’s going to be easier and faster to build a arena on a empty lot in open space as opposed to having to build a arena in the middle of let’s say downtown Brooklyn where you have to deal with all that congestion.
As far as the cars go I’m not as familiar with Belmont as you are all I know is there’s a lot that’s adjacent to the Cross Island where I used to see all those dealer cars parked, that’s the lot I was talking about, and that’s where I saw the car carriers.
That would be much appreciated if you could post photos of the construction, hopefully in 2 years we’ll be getting ready for the grand opening.
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NYAP is ready to go 24-7-365 and pay union overtime to complete the job on time.
I have asked to chronicle the build and NYRA said OK. Isles won’t respond till everything is official.
I’m going out to Belmont to get some shots next week because there may be no before shots the following week.
Around the clock construction? I could see there being problems with the locals on that. Looking forward to your reports on the progress there and will the arena be visible from the Cross Island?
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I assume they’ll do quieter things at night like offload trucks, stage for the next day, etc…and not blast a hole in the ground.
The site is north of Hempstead Tpk and South of the grandstand, just east of the CIP.
Here’s a good shot: https://www.flickr.com/photos/governorandrewcuomo/38470399394
Thanks for the picture, that lot at the top of the picture is the lot I was talking about with the cars that I saw from the Cross Island, looks like the arena is right where the exit is for Hempstead Turnpike west off the northbound Cross Island. I’m sure Floral Park will complain about trucks rumbling through their Village at 2 in the morning. Thanks for the info Mark, have a good weekend.
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That top (south) lot is where the retail village will go and may serve as a staging area while the arena is under construction. The retail village, hotel, restaurants, bars, etc, will all come after the arena, which is the first priority. Expect a couple of years of construction after the arena by NYAP and NYRA, which is planning a major reno for Belmont. The Belmont reno will be done in stages to accommodate the racing sked.