By Dan Israeli
And local leaders who were in attendance also had very good news for the track's host community, Elmont, which received a $2.5 million state grant to restore the nearby Argo Theater Site.
Just hours before the day's first race, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi held a press conference in the park's paddock to announce that nearly $5.5 million in grants will be awarded to Elmont and three other communities in the county. The grants will be distributed through the Empire State Development Corporation, a state agency whose Restore New York project encourages community rehabilitation and reinvestment. Of the $100 million dished out by the project to municipalities throughout the state, Elmont's cut of $2.5 million was the largest.
The other three Nassau County communities that will receive grants are the Village of Freeport ($1.6 million), the City of Glen Cove ($695,000) and Hempstead Village ($585,000). The money will fund development projects to revitalize the communities' downtown areas.
Opening Day at Belmont marked the first activity at the track since the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the state signed a 25-year franchise agreement on Feb. 13 to continue thoroughbred racing at the park, along with Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. The controversial agreement was opposed by 40 of 41 state legislators from Nassau County, who felt that Belmont was shortchanged by the deal because it did not receive approval to operate video lottery terminals, and therefore lost millions of dollars of potential revenue the machines could generate. Saratoga currently has VLTs, and they will be installed at Aqueduct next year.
A few legislators, including Assemblyman Tom Alfano (R-Franklin Square) and Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), said that NYRA has neglected Elmont in the past, and that the addition of VLTs was crucial in order to make the park a bigger draw for the surrounding communities.
NYRA, which received $105 million from the state to help emerge from bankruptcy, will be under closer scrutiny under the new agreement, thanks to the creation of a Franchise Oversight Board that will evaluate the organization's operations and assess whether it has met certain financial and performance benchmarks.
While Suozzi did not mention the VLT issue, he said that the Restore New York grant would serve as a catalyst for Belmont, as well as the development of surrounding Elmont. "Belmont is a fantastic facility ... one of the most beautiful in the world," he said. "We want this grant money to serve as an economic engine to revitalize the wonderful community of Elmont, and make it the vibrant place it once was."
The Restore New York grant was first announced three months ago, after the Town of Hempstead applied for the funds, which will act as seed money for the redevelopment of the Argo Theater site. Currently occupied by a 99 cents store, a print shop and a barber shop, it is a desired location for several businesses, with community leaders' most popular option being a large supermarket.
"Being awarded the largest grant in the state will go a long way in contributing to the $8 million needed for the Argo project," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, who was also in attendance on Opening Day.
Avi Schick, president of the Empire State Development Corporation, said that Restore New York's goal of community and neighborhood development is a collaborative process. "Over the last year, we worked with Mr. Suozzi's office and other elected officials on proposals," Schick said. "While we provide money and direction, we must also work with local communities to fulfill their needs."
The needs in Elmont are currently being assessed by the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, which has initiated a "visioning" process for urban renewal. Since last July, hundreds of residents have attended educational workshops and site walks through Elmont, which was designated part of an Empire Zone by the state in 2006. An Empire Zone offers businesses tax incentives, which encourages private sector investment, job creation and expansion in areas of need.
The $2.5 million grant earmarked for Argo can be used for infrastructure repair and early construction work at the site, while a final decision is made on the use of the space.
Other notes from Opening Day
There was a ribbon cutting in Belmont's clubhouse, in front of a pair of new ATM machines, where it was announced that Dime Saving Bank was the new official bank of all three NYRA tracks. The advertising and marketing deal is a three-way partnership that also includes ABC Regional Sports Sales, which recently renewed its deal as NYRA's advertising sales agent for five years.
The ATMs, which charge no service fee to any users, are the centerpiece of a deal that also includes TV advertising spots for Dime during NYRA simulcasts; infield, grandstand and clubhouse signage; print advertising and a range of other sponsorship promotions. As part of a charity effort, 10 cents from every ATM transaction over the next year will benefit Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and the Disabled Jockeys Fund.
The 140th Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horseracing's Triple Crown, is set for June 7 at the park, marking the 140th running of the historic race. This year, Casino Drive, a 3-year-old, will embark on a unique family three-peat, following his sister, Rags to Riches, who won the race last year, and their brother, Jazil, who won in 2006.
There will also be a festival on Belmont Stakes day, in which families can participate in activities like boxing, speed pitch, jousting and a dunk tank. There will be a special Fun Zone for kids featuring face painters, carnival games, craft booths and mini golf. The Movin' Out Band, from the hit Broadway musical "Movin' Out," will perform in an early-evening concert.
Comments about this story? DIsraeli@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.
