Hempstead Turnpike in All It’s Glory
If you have ever traveled on Hempstead Turnpike in Nassau County, you may be one of many who despises this road, not the least of which are the complaints about the long waiting time at red lights.
Enter Nassau Coliseum. In the heart of western Long Island, there stands an empty building, but once it was a center for countless hockey matches, concerts, and community events, and one that is easy to get to from just about any major highway – Long Island Expressway, Northern State Parkway, the Meadowbrook Parkway and of course, Hempstead Turnpike.
But that is where one of the problems lies. It’s all roads and highways with no close connection to the Long Island Railroad or any subways, as compared to New York City’s Citfield, the Barkley Center, and Yankee Stadium (yes, even Yankee Stadium has a railroad station – Metro North, in addition to the subway).
What kind of traffic would that bring?
To understand this, we need to double back to our discussion of Hempstead Turnpike. Noted on Long Island Advocate’s website, it is currently one of the deadliest roads in Long Island. Local police department’s records show that between 2011 and 2021, there were car accidents with 320 pedestrians and cyclists, with 13 people not succumbing to their injuries.
Other concerns are increased gambling addiction and crime, and environmental issues. Be this as it may, there are positive outcomes if this casino proposal becomes a reality. Let’s take a look.
The Advantages
Revitalizing the Nassau Coliseum into a casino can be productive.
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Job creation: Construction and renovation would create thousands of jobs. Then there is the operation of the casino, which would provide full-time employment opportunities for the Long Island community and beyond.
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Increased tax revenue: The casino would generate significant tax revenue for Nassau County, potentially leading to additional funding for public services like education and infrastructure.
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Boosted tourism: Some believe a casino could attract tourists to Long Island, leading to increased spending in hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses.
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Revitalization: The aging arena could be transformed back into a thriving entertainment hub, attracting concerts, shows, and events in addition to a casino.
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Modernization of the area: The construction of a modern casino complex could revitalize the surrounding area, potentially attracting other businesses and improving infrastructure.
The History
In May 2023, the Nassau County Legislature approved a $4 billion proposal by Las Vegas Sands to revitalize the aging arena, with plans to make it a sprawling entertainment complex encompassing a luxury casino, hotel, restaurants, and retail outlets, which would be a substantial economic boost to this region.
But in November 2023, a state Supreme Court judge deemed the lease agreement between Sands and the county “legally flawed,” throwing a monkey wrench into the meticulously planned gears.
The judge’s ruling, based on procedural irregularities, invalidated the deal, leaving the casino project, and the coliseum’s fate, suspended in a state of legal limbo. While the Sands vowed to appeal the decision, the future of the casino plan remains obscured. The legal battle could stretch for months, even years, before a definitive conclusion is reached.
This state of flux, however, also presents an opportunity. With the casino project on hold, a new dialogue can emerge, exploring alternative paths for the coliseum’s renaissance. Could it be reimagined as a multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex, hosting basketball games, concerts, and family events? Perhaps it could morph into a vibrant hub for the arts, housing theaters, studios, and museums. Alternatively, a mixed-use development incorporating retail, residential spaces, and green areas could inject new life into the surrounding area.
The possibilities are as diverse as the dreams of Long Island residents themselves. Public forums, community consultations, and open discussions, devoid of the heavy pressure of the casino proposal, can pave the way for a future that truly reflects the aspirations of the people.
The Future
Ultimately, the decision of the Nassau Coliseum’s destiny lies not just in the hands of judges and corporations, but also in the collective voice of the community. Whether it becomes a dazzling casino, a vibrant entertainment hub, or something else entirely, the key is to ensure that its transformation not only brings economic benefits but also fosters a sustainable, inclusive, and culturally enriching environment for the generations to come.
The Nassau Coliseum’s future remains unwritten, a blank page waiting to be filled with the ink of possibility. It is now our responsibility, as a community, to pick up the pen and decide what story we want it to tell.
Patricia Scanlon is a traffic ticket attorney who services clientele in Long Island, NYC, and throughout NYS.