By Stephen Cooney
For the past several years everyone in the Hempstead area and in political pockets all across Long Island have been bickering about the proposed Light House Project. Goaltenders helmets have been decorated with Islanders colored lighthouses and the team has called over and over again for support for the $3.74 billion project. A steep number even when the economy is not slumping but nevertheless the Islanders have increased their war cry and have threatened to leave the Island. So be it nothing but one of the most storied franchises in professional hockey walking out the back door and into Kansas City.
Who really cares anyway, right? It is just another sports team and the Rangers are literally a step off the train in Madison Square Garden. No, seriously if you think losing the Islanders is the only loss that the community and the University will face with the collapse of the Lighthouse Project you could not be less informed. This whole issue has absolutely nothing to do with a hockey team and I could care less about where the Islanders go and what colors they wear. I am a hockey fan but I can assure you hat the Islanders are not my team. I am not interested in what happens to them but the impact of what could be on the verge of this University.
If the Lighthouse Project becomes a reality, the dead zone on the other side of our eastern fence will become a vibrant environment for activity, employment and housing for university students and younger members of the Hempstead community. To be completely honest, the University could become a more vibrant college town with the flick of a switch that turns the Lighthouse on. Instead of being an isolated community that students need a car to find a restaurant, a variety of activities or employment, they will be able to cross the street to find all three of these things. Add to that the fact that 50 percent of the planned housing will be dedicated to students or young adults in the college age range and the deal becomes even sweeter.
Along with the impact on activity and housing the project will be host to many new office buildings, a five star hotel, a new sports complex, and a minor league baseball field. There is even a possibility of a train station being put in near the development. With these developments there will be many new things for students to do and also places to live and potential employments.
The Lighthouse project is a good project and will have a positive effect on the community and, more importantly, the students of this university. Hopefully, the political flexing will end and the project can get off the ground. The new jobs will benefit everyone in the slumping economy and students can benefit from the new activity. Aside from that, no one will have to see the Islanders skate off into the distance. Next week, there is a town hall meeting at the Marriot – across the street – hopefully some headway will be made to keep the team and the project afloat in Hofstra’s shadow.