By Dana Klosner-Wehner
The initiative to bring jobs and development to the area was spearheaded by Assemblyman Tom Alfano (R-North Valley Stream) and state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who describe the funding package as a major victory for Elmont and Floral Park. “We’ve waited a long time for this, and now the time has come,” said Alfano. “We’re going to make Belmont work again and help our communities directly now.”
“The Belmont property entails tracts of land that are not being used,” said Scott Cushing, Alfano’s chief of staff. “We’ve been listening to adults, senior citizens and high school students about what they want to see there. They want to see retail, [in particular] specialty stores. There are no stores where you can buy a pair of sneakers or a shirt in this area.”
The racetrack is in a prime location, next to the Cross Island Parkway and a railroad station that is currently not in use, Cushing said.
The money will assist school districts as well as police and fire departments, and fund community infrastructure projects. “When we put this package together, we wanted to make sure that the people benefited, and they will,” said Alfano. “This funding will help our communities with their specific needs and will be targeted toward improving quality of life.”
“The assemblyman would like to see the best and brightest people make the best possible proposal,” Cushing added. “Then we can start to do what we need to do. One of the biggest issues we have locally is underemployment. Here we have the opportunity to create jobs and help stabilize the tax base.”
Community leaders say they are pleased with the ideas for economic redevelopment. “Five million dollars will go a long way,” said Pat Nicolosi, president of the Elmont East End Civic Association. “The community has a dream at Belmont racetrack. They want to see hotels and shopping, maybe something like the Woodbury Commons in the south parking lot.”
“We’d like to see outlets,” said Sandy Smith, chairwoman of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development. “We’d like to see some nice quality restaurants. People could make a whole day of it.”
Smith says she likes the idea of bringing jobs to the community. “Young people ride out to Roosevelt Field and the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream [to work],” she said, adding that it would be great to have something right in the community that would create jobs and help offset taxes.
The New York Racing Association, which runs Belmont Park, was operating under bankruptcy protection for 22 months and emerged only a few weeks ago. The state waived more than $200 million of NYRA’s debts and liens, but New York has gained more oversight of NYRA’s operations. As part of the deal, the state also now owns the three NYRA-run racetracks, including Belmont, and has leased the properties back to the racing association, according to John Lee, NYRA’s director of communications.
Lee said that NYRA officials support the proposed redevelopment. “Any improvements to the neighborhood and improvements to the community that set Belmont Park off in a nice manner are a benefit to both parties,” he said. “It will make our facility an even better attraction.”
“Today we start to look at opportunities to turn Belmont into a destination point for everyone,” said Alfano. “Now that all the legal disputes are settled, we can get to work. From the outset, I have stood steadfast in making Belmont accountable to our communities. Now, we’re going to make Belmont an integral part of our economic foundation. That means creating jobs, bringing in quality business and helping lower our property taxes.”
“Our focus is to help our communities and Belmont,” said Skelos. “Belmont is a jewel that is clearly not realizing its potential. Assemblyman Alfano and I will not rest until the area starts to benefit from Belmont. We’re going to help make Belmont a partner and economic engine. This is a process we are working on right now.”
For four years, Nicolosi said, the Town of Hempstead has been holding “visioning” sessions, gathering input from civic associations, religious institutions, young people and businesses. “We have been voting on all [these issues],” Nicolosi said. “Now we’re looking to get the shovel and start moving forward.”
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