THE  OFFICIAL  SITE  OF  THE  LIGHTHOUSE  DEVELOPMENT  GROUP
Highlights Coliseum Sports Complex Sports Technology Center Residences Conference & Exposition Center Grand Hotel Celebration Plaza Environment Future
  


Q: What is the status of the Lighthouse project?
A: The application for re-zoning of the Coliseum Site was submitted to the Town of Hempstead on November 13, 2007. It is expected that the Town of Hempstead will issue a declaration requiring the Lighthouse Development Group to commence the public process of studying the anticipated environmental impacts as provided in the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act.


Q: How much will the Lighthouse project cost Nassau County, and how will it affect the County's budget?
A: Nassau County will not be providing any financial support for this project. Currently, the County is actually losing money on the Coliseum and has no money in its budget to help improve the Coliseum area. However, this project will help the County's budget creating a profit from the lease of the Coliseum to the Lighthouse project (currently the County loses $1.5 million per year) and by generating millions in incremental tax revenues.


Q: How much will New York State contribute to construction costs?
A: New York State has already earmarked a $37 million grant in 1996 for needed repairs and renovations to the Coliseum. The Lighthouse Development Group has requested an additional grant of $40 million from New York State for Coliseum much needed repairs and renovations. However, the tax revenues to New York State generated by the transformation of the Coliseum alone are projected to exceed the original amount of the grant by around $78 million over 25 years.


Q: How much does the current Coliseum cost Nassau County each year?
A: The current Coliseum operations cost the County approximately $1.5 million per year. Under the proposed lease agreement this loss will switch to a gain of over $1.5 million per year which is a net difference of over $3 million per year for the County. In addition, incremental tax revenues will increase this figure by over $100 million over twenty five years just for the Coliseum transformation. Economic studies will be prepared confirming the impact of the overall project.


Q: Will the Lighthouse project benefit local taxpayers?
A: The Lighthouse project will help Nassau County residents by generating more than $100 million in incremental tax revenue over 25 years just for the Coliseum transformation and Sports Complex work alone. The balance of the project will generate many millions more in tax revenue that would be used by the local School District (Uniondale), Town, County and State to provide local tax payers better public utilities, services and facilities.


Q: How old is the Coliseum?
A: The Coliseum opened in 1972 which makes it the second oldest arena in the NHL. The Coliseum has never had any significant improvements since its opening day and its rate of decay increases each year.


Q: Why don't more events come to the Coliseum?
A: The Coliseum's outdated facilities are inadequate for many of today's entertainment venues, which rely on modern infrastructure and facilities to support their programs. Fans don't like coming to the Coliseum either. Its tight concourse, lack of restrooms and uninteresting food choices do not help create the entertainment experience visitors would expect that modern arenas provide. The proposed improvements will make the arena significantly more attractive to performers, fans and visitors.


Q: What is going to be done to the Coliseum?
A: The current Coliseum is one of the oldest sports arenas in the country and it looks it. Instead of tearing it down and building a new one, we will give this ancient arena a complete and drastic makeover into a state-of-the-art multi use Arena. With a completely new architecture, The Coliseum will look like a brand new building. and will save hundreds of millions of dollars and years of construction. The inside will be completely re-done as well. We'll maintain the excellent sight lines and make more room to add an entire ring of suites - the closest to the ice in the entire NHL. The Arena Bowl will be totally redesigned with all new seating (17,500 for hockey, 18,500 for basketball and 20,000 for concerts), sound system, video boards, restaurants, bars, suites and club seating. All new customer services include dramatic entrances and wide concourses, super selection food courts, larger and more washrooms, retail, ancillary entertainment, family play area, business center, function rooms and bright contemporary interiors. Redesigned service areas and new technologies will allow more events with greater variety.


Q: Will the approval of the Lighthouse project ensure that the Islanders will not move?
A: As part of the proposal submitted to the County Legislature, the New York Islanders would extend their current lease agreement at the Coliseum by ten years to 2025. It will be up to Long Islanders to convince the Legislature to approve the Lighthouse project and keep our Islanders home!


Q: Where can I get more information about the Lighthouse?
A: Information is updated right here at www.lighthouseli.com. For more specific information visit the Contact Us section on the website.


Q: Will the Lighthouse project create jobs for Long Island?
A: Yes! Approximately 3,200 construction jobs will be created by the Coliseum transformation alone and Sports Complex construction and many thousands more will be created during the construction of the other building elements. In addition, many new businesses will be formed to support and service the Lighthouse project creating many more opportunities for the Long Island work force.


Q: How do I sign up for Islanders and Dragons season tickets at the new Coliseum?
A: Contact the Islanders and Dragons at www.newyorkislanders.com or call 516 501-6700.


Q: What kind of residential housing will there be at the Lighthouse?
A: Multiple housing options will be available in the site's 2,300 residences. They will include offerings such as next generation, luxury, active adult and multi-family.


Q: Other than sports, what other activities will be at the Lighthouse?
A: The Celebration Plaza will feature a stage and giant video board for outdoor shows and performances. Outdoor cafes and restaurants will surround the park and the Grand Canal where people can watch various events and performances. The Lighthouse will be the town center of Long Island and the most exciting place to meet and provide something for everyone to arrive early, stay late or just visit for the day.


Q: What is the Sports Technology Center?
A: A broad range of companies, start-ups, medical groups and other organizations will focus on improving human performance, health, rehab, sports technology, and injury prevention as well as advances in equipment technology related to the business of sports. The Sports Technology Center synergizes technology and sports. This fusion of industries will create an exciting new business opportunity here on Long Island. A place where entrepreneurs and students can participate in developing global products and services using the Coliseum and its professional sports teams as a laboratory. For example, the New York Islanders in collaboration with a leading scoreboard manufacturer developed a video dasher board capable of withstanding the punishment of professional hockey while providing a powerful option for companies to advertise at the ice level. This is one of many products already in development on Long Island. Several of the local universities/colleges will also participate in this exciting venture by developing a new curriculum in sports technology.


Q: What do local community groups think of the Lighthouse?
A: After meeting with thousands Long Islanders over the last two years, we have been fortunate to receive tremendous support for the project. To see who we have met with visit the Community page on this website.


Q: What kind of hotel is going in the Lighthouse?
A: A five star hotel is planned for the Lighthouse development. It will be the only five star hotel on Long Island and it will be complemented with all of the amenities that only a five star hotel can offer from an exquisite dining experience to a relaxing day at the spa. Also, five star service condominiums will be offered for people looking for a luxury lifestyle.


Q: What is at the Sports Complex?
A: This new state-of-the-art facility will be the largest, most advanced and comprehensive public sports complex on Long Island. It will offer thousands of Long Island residents - of all ages - endless opportunities to play, train, compete and simply enjoy many of the sports, recreation and exercise activities that they love. The Sports Complex will be open to the public and will house the Islanders practice facilities, which will include four NHL ice rinks with spectator seating, basket ball courts, and a complete fitness facility. The Sports Complex in combination with the Coliseum will quickly make the Lighthouse the premiere ice facility in the Northeast and will be a draw for regional tournaments and national sporting events.


Q: How will the Lighthouse project affect the environment?
A: The Lighthouse project will be developed with the latest principles in sustainable design technology as well as being pedestrian friendly. Once complete the site will be transformed from 77 acres of asphalt to acres of walkable public and open space. Our structures will be constructed with the latest green technologies and may include geothermal, gray-water systems, solar energy, wind power and green roofs.