By MIKE CAPUTO
As planned, on Tuesday the Hempstead town board officially designated the state-mandated Draft Generic Environmental Impact Study "ready for public review."
That means any agency, group or individual now has the opportunity to weigh in on the proposed renovation of the Nassau Coliseum and the development of the 150 acres that surround the property in Uniondale.
"This action is significant because it marks the start of the public comment period and allows for a public hearing on environmental issues associated with the project," Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray said.
New York Islanders owner Charles Wang and co-developer of the multi-billion dollar, privately funded project asked Hempstead town officials in April to provide a clear answer on the proposal by the start of the next hockey season in October. Wang's comments, and his team's decision to schedule a September preseason game in Kansas City - a city with officials who desire to host a professional hockey team - spurred speculation that the Islanders considered a move from the aging Nassau Coliseum if the proposal were not to pass. The Islanders owner has denied such rumors, and has said that he intends on keeping the Islanders on Long Island.
Murray has said that Hempstead town officials have done their best to move the process expeditiously because of the amount of interest generated by the proposal.
A public hearing on the Lighthouse Group's proposal will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on the south campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead. Those wishing to have their views or comments considered by the town board and included in the official record can provide them in person at the Aug. 4 hearing or by mailing them to the Town of Hempstead, Lighthouse Project Public Comment, One Washington Street, Hempstead, N.Y., 11550. Comments can also be e-mailed to Lighthousecomment@tohmail.org. All e-mails and written correspondence must be received by Aug. 17.
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
