By Dana Klosner-Wehner
The possibility of a small or large hotel, a facility for gaming machines known as a “racino,” retail stores, restaurants and perhaps senior housing, a big store or a sports complex, are all included in a report issued on Feb. 23 by the Empire State Development Corporation and the state Wagering and Racing Board, after hearings with local community stakeholders.
In November, Gov. David Paterson ordered those agencies to study the Belmont Park area — including Elmont and other nearby neighborhoods — to see what redevelopment concepts would satisfy residents’ needs for healthier businesses and better services, increase local revenues for schools and nearby communities, boost state tax revenue to help close a dangerously wide budget gap, and be economically sustainable over time. The project was known as the Belmont Park Redevelopment Study.
Assemblyman Tom Alfano (R) was briefed on the study last month by Paterson’s executive staff and members of the Empire State Development Corporation.
Each of the plans will also utilize a section of Elmont’s Empire Zone, which offers tax incentives for creating jobs and bringing business to the Hempstead Turnpike area. “What we need to do is use all of the assets we have in the zone and bring together the best and brightest minds in the construction and retail industries to forge a plan that will be first class all the way,” Alfano said in a statement. “The Empire Zone is an added benefit that only helps us in this plan. What we have to do now is encourage the governor to move this process along.”
Two sites are identified in the development proposals. The three possibilities for Site A, near the track’s grandstand, include a stand-alone racino facility; a small hotel and video lottery terminals; or a large hotel and VLTs. The proposals for Site B, Belmont Park’s South Lot, include a 30-store retail complex, movie theater and restaurant complex and/or a small hotel; a “big box” retail center with a sports complex; or senior housing and a retail center.
“Our recommendations have received the highest rating,” said Scott Cushing, Alfano’s chief of staff. “That is for a walkable mall, a movie complex, retail shopping and two restaurants. The recommendations that came out from the governor are a mirror image and right on target with what the community wants.”
The next step is the issuance of Requests For Proposals, Cushing said.
“This is great news, and I’m glad to see the state fulfilling what we asked for,” said Pat Nicolosi, president of the East End Civic Association. “This is a prime piece of property ... the state realized money could be made. We’re happy to see the governor pushing for this.”
“We’re extremely excited,” said Sandra Smith, chairwoman of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development. “It will look beautiful, bring in jobs and help reduce taxes. We have young people that have to leave the area to get part-time work.” It will be nice to have jobs in residents’ own backyard, Smith said.
Not everyone is excited, however. Ruth Jakab, president of the Locustwood Gotham Civic Association, said she is opposed to the video lottery terminals. “It’s all propositions now, and we need to wait and see what happens,” Jakab said. “What I want to see there is big-box stores and a sports complex. That’s what we need to be there. We are a family-oriented neighborhood across the street from Belmont Park. I want to see a lot of shops for young people.”
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