The Islanders Are Returning To Long Island

It's official: the Islanders are coming home to Nassau County to a new arena to be built at Belmont Park.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Wednesday afternoon at Belmont, where details were released about the $1 billion redevelopment project, which will feature an 18,000-seat arena for the Islanders, a new 435,000-square-foot retail and entertainment complex, a new hotel and other community amenities.

According to Cuomo, the plan will strengthen the local economy, boost tourism, increase visitor spending and stimulate local businesses. To accommodate New Yorkers and visitors traveling to the brand-new facility, the Long Island Railroad is committed to developing a plan to expand LIRR service to Belmont Park Station for events year-round. The project is expected to create 12,300 construction jobs and 3,100 permanent jobs.

"With the state-of-the-art redevelopment of Belmont Park, we are adding a crown jewel to the economic resurgence on Long Island," Cuomo said. "The return of the Islanders is exciting for all fans, bringing the storied franchise back to its rightful home. The creation of this world-class entertainment destination will bring visitors from near and far, as we continue to transform the region and strengthen our economic momentum on Long Island."

The Islanders beat out their competition, the New York City Football Club, which was also vying to build itself a stadium at the site.

The centerpiece of the redevelopment of Belmont Park includes an NHL-ready sports and entertainment arena that will serve as the new, permanent home of the Islanders. The 18,000-seat arena will feature the best in operational systems like ice management, quality spectator sight lines and generous team facilities. The mixed-use facility will be constructed with the expectation of hosting other major events, including concerts, college sports, conferences, family events and programming year-round.

Also part of the plan is a 200-250 key, full-service hotel at Belmont Park, which will feature sophisticated amenities, retail and dining options as well as conference and meeting spaces. With extraordinary views of the racetrack, the hotel would serve as a singular destination for guests, tourists and the local community visiting Belmont Park throughout the year, and especially during the Belmont Stakes.

The redevelopment of Belmont Park will include 435,000 square feet of retail, recreation and hospitality space. The retail village will be composed of pedestrian boulevards and squares, lined with a collection of unique stores and boutiques occupied by leading international, regional and local brands. A full slate of guest services, exhibitions, pop-up installations and special events will complement the retail space. The dining and entertainment opportunities at Belmont Park will range from sports bars to fine dining to artisanal offerings and prepared foods for take-away — and will be enhanced by leisure and athletic activities, such as a boutique movie theater and intimate live performance venues.

The proposal also includes nearly six acres of outdoor recreation space and up to 10,000 square feet of community space to be developed in consultation with the local community. A fully developed landscape program throughout the site will serve to integrate the recreation area into the Elmont neighborhood, as well as create a green corridor and bike path buffering the residential areas adjacent to the development.

Designed to blend into the landscape, a community innovation and recreation facility will be used for community events and classes and wellness activities, as well as for the storage of recreational equipment.

Some people in the community were worried the project could receive blowback from the Town of Hempstead and become another Lighthouse Project — the Islanders' first attempt to build a new home for itself in Nassau. But Supervisor-Elect Laura Gillen has already announced her support of the project.

"I look forward to working with the team and our local community to ensure all residential concerns are properly addressed while our beloved Islanders transition back to their home, here on Long Island," Gillen said. "This is welcome news for the Town of Hempstead and the Islanders nation, and it is our sincere hope that this new arena will become a reflection of our surrounding communities and potential for positive economic development."

Cuomo has said the new park will serve as a "Gateway to Long Island." The complex will feature new signage, public art and landscape elements designed to foster a sense of identity and arrival with access points to the Belmont LIRR platforms. The Long Island Railroad will develop a plan to modify service to accommodate New Yorkers for sporting and special events.

Additional parking will be developed to accommodate the increased traffic volume, including dedicated retail, hotel and arena parking located below the concourse level, as well as areas for ride-sharing, taxis and private shuttles. The pick-up and drop-off zones will be configured to maximize loading capacity and minimize queues without burdening local neighborhoods with additional traffic.

The Islanders will have a 49-year lease with renewal options, valued at $40 million for the full build-out. New York state will negotiate with the team to ensure they will play as many games as possible at the Nassau Coliseum while the state-of-the-art arena at Belmont is being built, returning the Islanders home to Long Island in the nearest possible future. Cuomo said the state will continue its support of the Nassau Hub which will surround the Nassau Coliseum, and is committed to further investment in the Hub as part of the upcoming budget.

"Today is a historic day for Belmont, for Long Island, and for all of New York State," said Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Howard Zemsky. "Today, this under-utilized asset becomes an engine for economic growth, thousands of jobs, vibrant tourism and major investment in Long Island — and brings an iconic team back home to its biggest fans. New York Arena Partners' development plan will bring new vitality to this region and we look forward to the work ahead."

Photos: New York Arena Partners/Gov. Cuomo's Office