Nassau News: Economic Development Archives

LIRR Fares Increase

By Brett Zoeller
Nassau News Staff Writer

On March 1, the MTA (LIRR) increased fares 3 to 4 percent, straining the wallets of commuters already pressed bu fuel and food inflation. While the fare-increase amount ranges from a few dollars to almost $20, depending on which zone a commuter is in, does it make that much of a difference?

Are commuters just skeptical of any increase the MTA (LIRR) issues because of unclear financial updates the entity often provides? Is it just commuters overacting and lashing out because of other cost increases? Train ridership increased 6 percent last year for a total of about 90 million passengers for the year. Is the MTA (LIRR) trying to widen profit margins, or do high passenger volumes call for more maintenance?

The answer to these questions and the future of LIRR expansion on Long Island lie below.

Continue reading "LIRR Fares Increase" »

Posted by Jrnl 80B Spring 08 at 12:04 PM | Permalink

Proposed Redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum

By Alex Dollin
Nassau News Staff Writer

The proposed redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum and surrounding 77 acres has caused a stir on Long Island, particularly in Nassau County where the issue is closer to home.

Many local residents are opposed to Charles Wang’s Project Lighthouse, as designed and maintained by Rexcorp, which will seek to build new coliseum, housing units, hotels, office buildings, concert venues and a new practice facility for the Islanders. As explained further in this video, a major piece of legislation called a Positive Declaration, has just been put into effect. This declaration, set forth by the town of Hempstead, will force Rexcorp to come up with a solution to every major problem surrounding Project Lighthouse. As reported by Rexcorp, they are working very hard on solving major issues, like the traffic conditions on Hempstead Turnpike, and have been for several years now. Rexcorp anticipates, if all goes according to plan, breaking ground on the project starting in the summer of 2009.

Continue reading "Proposed Redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum" »

Posted by Jrnl 80B Spring 08 at 11:53 AM | Permalink

Hempstead Village Mayor Looks to Push New Plan

By Kenneth McCarron
Nassau News Staff Writer

Wayne Hall, the mayor of Hempstead Village, tells Nassau News that he intends to have a new redevelopment plan in place by August 2008.

But many of the problems that were in the last plan, which he withdrew last year, still remain. The controversial plan ran into opposition from community activists on the issue of affordable housing. The mayor says a redevelopment plan is needed to rebuild the Village of Hempstead's tax base. But will the community work with Mayor Hall to accomplish this goal, or will it stop another redevelopment plan?

Continue reading "Hempstead Village Mayor Looks to Push New Plan" »

Posted by Jrnl 80B Spring 08 at 11:52 AM | Permalink

Commercial Development in Nassau County -- Who Wants It?

By Sean O'Kane
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.

Continue reading "Commercial Development in Nassau County -- Who Wants It?" »

Posted by Jrnl 80B Spring 08 at 11:51 AM | Permalink

Immigration on Long Island: How Immigration affects Long Islanders

By Valerie Esposito
Nassau News Staff Writer

Over the years, Long Island has become a diverse, multicultural suburb. 1 in 5 New Yorkers are foreign born. About 1 in 4 people in Nassau County speak another language besides English. It is no wonder that immigration has affected each and every Long Islander.

Nassau News speaks with Francisco Lopez, a 23-year-old who resides in Hempstead. Lopez moved to America with his family from Ecuador in 2002. Valerie also speaks with Dean Nora Demleitner, a law professor at Hofstra University and immigration law expert.

Continue reading "Immigration on Long Island: How Immigration affects Long Islanders" »

Posted by Jrnl 80B Spring 08 at 11:50 AM | Permalink

Impact of Subprime Mortgage Crisis in Nassau County

By Jean H. Telfort
Nassau News Staff Writer

As the subprime mortgage crisis escalates nationwide, mortgage defaults in Nassau County increase as well, leading to scores of foreclosures in recent months.

At the onset of this project, there were only 114 homes listed on the foreclosure reports. That number has increased to over 300, nearly a month later.

Reports show that Suffolk and Nassau counties accounted for 33 percent of subprime loans that were made in 2006 in New York. At the same time, Long Island has 30 percent of all subprime loans scheduled to be reset before October 2009. These are alarming statistics with an already declining economy.

Continue reading "Impact of Subprime Mortgage Crisis in Nassau County" »

Posted by Jrnl 80A Spring 08 at 12:00 PM | Permalink

Nassau County Stays True to its Roots

By Alyson Gordon
Nassau News Staff Writer

With the go-green movement influencing our generation, many Long Islanders seek new ways to give a little back to their environment. Whether it means driving a hybrid car, eating natural organic foods or even volunteering as a way to give back to Mother Nature, taking the right action towards making the world a better place lies within Nassau County's own back yard.

Continue reading "Nassau County Stays True to its Roots" »

Posted by Jrnl 80A Spring 08 at 11:58 AM | Permalink

Jets Leaving Their Hofstra Training Camp in 2008

By Christine Herbst
Nassau News Staff Writer

After training camp is completed in August, the New York Jets will pack up and leave Hofstra University, where they have been for over 30 years, to move into new quarters in Florham Park, N.J.

Nassau News talked with local business leaders about how they will deal with the loss of the Jets.

Continue reading "Jets Leaving Their Hofstra Training Camp in 2008" »

Posted by Jrnl 80A Spring 08 at 11:55 AM | Permalink

Sex Offenders in Hempstead

By Nicole Vella
Nassau News Staff Writer

According to information provided on the website familywatchdog.us there are 40 registered sex offenders living in Hempstead. By looking at a map of sex offenders in Hempstead, one can see that most of the sex offenders live very close to each other, and usually live within blocks of schools, playgrounds,and parks. This has prompted Nassau County politicians to pass legislation dealing with residency restrictions for sex offenders. Along with residency restrictions, legislation has also been passed to monitor the online activity of convicted sex offenders.

To view the video version of this story click on the embedded player below

Continue reading "Sex Offenders in Hempstead" »

Posted by Jrnl 80A Spring 08 at 11:48 AM | Permalink

Long Island's Rising Electricity Bills: Is There an Alternative?

By Michael Turi
Nassau News Staff Writer

From January 1999 to February 2005, Long Island electricity rates have risen 53 percent. Just what are the alternative energy options amidst rising fossil-fuel prices?

Continue reading "Long Island's Rising Electricity Bills: Is There an Alternative?" »

Posted by News Editor at 03:00 PM | Permalink

At Hempstead's Mary Brennan INN, Fighting Hunger

By Stuart Vincent
Nassau News Staff Writer

The Mary Brennan INN in Hempstead, operated by the Interfaith Nutrition Network, is the largest soup kitchen on Long Island. Volunteers prepare and serve a hot lunch five days a week for 300-400 guests. The INN also provides clothing, toiletries, food to take home and offers legal aid and health exams. The INN is one of the organizations fighting hunger on Long Island, where, according to a 2006 study, 259,000 people are hungry.

Continue reading "At Hempstead's Mary Brennan INN, Fighting Hunger" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Affordable Housing on Long Island: Development Plan or Moving Target?

By Lindsey Calabrese
Nassau News Staff Writer

A lack of affordable housing directly affects Long Island’s economic growth. Explore the various solutions proposed to alleviate this problem and learn about the organizations formed to attack the issue.

Continue reading "Affordable Housing on Long Island: Development Plan or Moving Target?" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Reinventing Uniondale's A. Holly Patterson Nursing Care Facility

By Dorothy Pumo
Nassau News Staff Writer

An aging goliath of a Nassau County nursing home will be modernized. The surrounding open space around the A. Holly Patterson Nursing Care Facility in Uniondale will be used for new assisted living facilities, senior congregate housing, a new community center, and very likely, a dialysis center and diagnostic treatment facility. An additional four acres will go to neighboring Turtle Hook School. While this is good news for the older residents of Nassau County, an advocate for "work force" or "next generation" housing still sees an unmet need.

Continue reading "Reinventing Uniondale's A. Holly Patterson Nursing Care Facility" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Uniondale's Tax Dilemma

By Drew Biedermann
Nassau News Staff Writer

A debate is ignited over how tax revenues from Charles Wang's proposed "Hub" development might be divided. Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman and Nassau County Tax Assessor Harvey Levinson talk about the possibilities.

Continue reading "Uniondale's Tax Dilemma" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Riding the Long Island Bus

By Jacqueline Hlavenka
Nassau News Staff Writer

In Nassau County, owning a car can be seen as a luxury. For many, an alternative is the MTA Long Island Bus. With looming service cuts, a potential fare hike and overcrowding, Nassau News examines the reality of riding the bus.

Continue reading "Riding the Long Island Bus" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Lighthouse Project and Its Potential Traffic Problems

By Samuel Rubenfeld
Nassau News Staff Writer

The corridor of Hempstead Turnpike along Nassau Coliseum and past Hofstra University is often clogged with traffic. But with the building of the Lighthouse Group development project, the traffic problem could get a lot worse if something isn't done to mitigate potential congestion.

Continue reading "Lighthouse Project and Its Potential Traffic Problems" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Navigating the Dangers of the Southern State Parkway Near Hempstead

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By Melissa DeFrank
Nassau News Staff Writer

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, the worst 5 percent of crash-prone sites on Long Island included three parts of the Southern State Parkway in or near Hempstead.

Continue reading "Navigating the Dangers of the Southern State Parkway Near Hempstead" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Hempstead is Making Attempts at Improving Safety of the Village

By Jordan Katz
Nassau News Staff Writer

How many violent crimes were there in Hempstead last year? What do residents think about safety in this village of 50,000? Follow the link below and view a video report and explore a list of links.

Continue reading "Hempstead is Making Attempts at Improving Safety of the Village" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Does Housing Discrimination Continue on Long Island?

By Nicholas Martorano
Nassau News Staff Writer

Exploring whether discrimination is still a part of Long Island's housing market, especially in the Hempstead area, Nassau News speaks with an activist and a historian.

Continue reading "Does Housing Discrimination Continue on Long Island?" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

The Draw of Fast Food Chains in Hempstead Village

By Rebecca Weitz
Nassau News Staff Writer

Fast-food restaurants have Hempstead residents flocking to them. The village of Hempstead, consisting of 56,554 residents, keeps eight fast food-chain restaurants in business. Why? Is it because it's simply easier to pick up fast food for a meal than it is to take the time out to make a nutritional, balanced meal? Nassau News talked to some hungry residents.

Continue reading "The Draw of Fast Food Chains in Hempstead Village" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Hempstead's Redevelopment Plans

By Kristina Trnka
Nassau News Staff Writer

The Village of Hempstead, seeking to reinvigorate its core, considered UrbanAmerica for an ambitious $2 billion redevelopment plan, which would have ripped up much of downtown and replace it with 2,500 condominiums, 600,000 square feet of stores and a performing arts hall.

The discussion over the plan was intense, drawing crowds to hearings lasting long into the night and sharply dividing the Village Board. But not everyone was enthusiastic, especially those who feared the flipside of urban renewal -- displacement and gentrification.

Mayor Wayne Hall, the proponent of the plan, couldn't get the village leaders to accept the plan and he withdrew the proposal in late 2007.

Now the community is still evaluating proposals from many development groups and has still yet to decide on a new direction.

Continue reading "Hempstead's Redevelopment Plans" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Thrifty Threads in Hempstead at Josie's

By Stacey Englander
Nassau News Staff Writer

Why is it that many people decide to shop at the thrift store over, say, shopping at Nordstrom’s? Well, it could be because you can get the same quality brands at the thrift store as you can at Nordstrom’s -- for close to nothing. For the same price you pay for one shirt at Nordstrom’s, you can purchase a whole outfit (including shoes) at the thrift store.

Continue reading "Thrifty Threads in Hempstead at Josie's" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Nassau Coliseum Redevelopment Project

By Joe Esposito
Nassau News Staff Writer

Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum and the 77-acre piece of land it sits on is about to revamp Hempstead and Uniondale’s future image, as well as Long Island in general.

Continue reading "Nassau Coliseum Redevelopment Project" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Coliseum Area to Receive Makeover

By Timothy Baysinger
Nassau News Staff Writer

Nassau County has taken the first steps to transform Long Island to a tourist attraction, rather than a place from where Manhattan workers commute.

Continue reading "Coliseum Area to Receive Makeover" »

Posted by News Editor at 02:59 PM | Permalink

The Hookah Experience Comes to Uniondale

By Jill Freeman
Nassau News Staff Writer

Picture this: colorful drapery’s hung along the walls, a large room with couches and tables, the air mixed with the relaxing scents of pineapple and green tea, and a bar with no alcohol. Those four main ingredients make the recipe for a hookah bar.

Continue reading "The Hookah Experience Comes to Uniondale" »

Posted by News Editor at 11:29 AM | Permalink

Nassau News

A Community Journalism project by the School of Communication at Hofstra University

April 12, 2008

LIRR Fares Increase

Proposed Redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum

Hempstead Village Mayor Looks to Push New Plan

Commercial Development in Nassau County -- Who Wants It?

Immigration on Long Island: How Immigration affects Long Islanders

April 11, 2008

Impact of Subprime Mortgage Crisis in Nassau County

Nassau County Stays True to its Roots

Jets Leaving Their Hofstra Training Camp in 2008

Sex Offenders in Hempstead

January 16, 2008

Long Island's Rising Electricity Bills: Is There an Alternative?

At Hempstead's Mary Brennan INN, Fighting Hunger

Affordable Housing on Long Island: Development Plan or Moving Target?

Reinventing Uniondale's A. Holly Patterson Nursing Care Facility

Uniondale's Tax Dilemma

Riding the Long Island Bus

Lighthouse Project and Its Potential Traffic Problems

Navigating the Dangers of the Southern State Parkway Near Hempstead

Hempstead is Making Attempts at Improving Safety of the Village

Does Housing Discrimination Continue on Long Island?

The Draw of Fast Food Chains in Hempstead Village

Hempstead's Redevelopment Plans

Thrifty Threads in Hempstead at Josie's

Nassau Coliseum Redevelopment Project

Coliseum Area to Receive Makeover

December 31, 2007

The Hookah Experience Comes to Uniondale