Commercial Development in Nassau County -- Who Wants It?
Nassau News Staff Writer
The potential for commercial development in Nassau County has risen recently with proposals like Trump on the Ocean and the Lighthouse Project, but little has been done to see what individual residents of the areas affected think about the proposals.
County residents share more than just mixed feelings, each has his or her own way of justifying their position, leading to a situation that could prove more than just polarizing in the normal sense. Instead of just support or opposition, residents have complex thoughts on whether or not they want commercial development.
Nassau News took to the streets to find out how a sample of people from different towns feel about commercial development near them. The results show that the divide runs deeper than previously thought.
To view the video version of this article, click on the embedded player below.
Read the print version of this article below
Recent proposed commercial developments such as Donald Trump's 'Trump on the Ocean' have seen their share of initial legal resistance, but deeper in the Nassau County community the feelings are mixed.
"I don't want it," Barbara Richardine declared, a long-time resident of Point Lookout. "I think we're really quite developed now."
"Not in this area," Long Beach resident Pat Williams said. The lifetime Long Island native then expanded from the 'not-in-my-backyard' position; "The rest of Long Island is just too crowded," she added.
But other Nassau County residents were much more inclined to the idea of commercial development. Larry Legend, another Long Beach resident, said that for him it's a matter of being able to balance the good and bad.
"I think it's beneficial if it's done in a proper manner, and people can still enjoy the beauty of the beaches and the environment," he said. One concern he did hold was whether or not the cost of large projects would actually be balanced in the end by the jobs and revenue they promise to create.
The Lighthouse Project, a massive revamping of the Nassau Coliseum area into a full-fledged community and entertainment based shopping center, promises to do just that. Not only would the development itself require hundreds of new jobs, but the developed area would become a hub for commerce in Nassau County.
That the economy could see a boost would be helpful in a time of economic distress, said Lake Success resident Seth Elliot. While he said it is not a solution to any national crisis, he would take pride in seeing a "community be able to come together behind a project that can keep us afloat," in tough times.
As promising as it can sound, there still is concern. And while developers in Nassau County continue to try and push across their projects, it has become clear that a collective voice of the people won't be enough of a representation. Every Nassau County resident has a different opinion, and each one as valid as the next.
"If there [are] big buildings it will only look like Manhattan," East Meadow resident Kamal Williams said, "and who wants two Manhattans?"
To view a slide show of this project with additional information, click the player below:
Related Links
- This article found on the NHL team, the New York Islanders' website, shows its support for the Lighthouse Project, and urges locals to support it as well. Charles Wang, co-owner of the team, is one of the main people behind the project.
- There are a handful of illustrations of the proposed Lighthouse developments available here.
- This article describes specific renovations being done to the Marriott Hotel adjacent to the Coliseum, and how they are adapting to the forthcoming changes (with more detail of the project).
- (PDF) The original press release announcing who is developing the project and other details surrounding its proposal.
- Photos, video, and analysis from Newsday about the Lighthouse project.
- Blog from the Spector Group, designers behind the Lighthouse project.
- Article about the original proposal, and Hofstra's support. Also references the Chronicle.
- The original story from Newsday, featuring the original plans and visual features about the project.
- Newsday article about the resistance to the project, and its current state of delay.
- Blog update about the Trump development's problems and delays.
- Blog about not wanting the Trump development, from a Long Island local.
- Blog post about the development, good information and interesting comment at the bottom.
- A myspace page dedicated to "sinking Trump on the Ocean," with information about being against the project.
- NYTimes blog post about the Trump project.
- Blog post featuring "pros and cons" about the Trump project.
- Long Island podcast featuring an interview with Trump's partner Steve Carl, and other locals.
- Original NYTimes article about the announcement of Trump on the Ocean.
- NY TV10/55 coverage of the denial of part of Trump's plan, and what the delay means.
Additional video interviews
View Long Beach resident Larry Legend's thoughts on commercial development. To view a transcript of this video, click here.
Take a look at what Lake Success resident Seth Elliot has to say about commercial development. To view a transcript of this video, click here.
Barbara Richardine, from Point Lookout, talks about resistance to commercial development. To view a transcript of this video, click here.
Long Beach Resident Pat Williams doesn't like the idea of development in her area. To view a transcript of this video, click here.
Kamal Williams of East Meadow hesitates at the thought of an overdeveloped Nassau County. To view a transcript of this video, click here.
Graduating Hofstra student Harshita Thakkar thinks development could be beneficial. To view a transcript of this video, click here.
View the Production Memo for this story.
