State To Hold Public Hearings For Belmont Project

New York State will hold two public hearings — both on the same day — to get the community's input on the plans to build a new arena for the Islanders at Belmont Park.

The $1 billion redevelopment project 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. The plan was announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in December.

The state will be holding two public scoping meetings on March 22 at the Elmont Memorial Library, located at 700 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. The first hearing will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., with a second following from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. In addition to speaking and submitting comments at the meeting, the public will be able to submit comments in writing through April 6.

The meetings are part of the process of coming up with a draft environmental impact statement, which will be used to guide the work as the development process goes forward.

In addition to the arena for the Islanders, the plan calls for 200 to 250-room hotel, as well as 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 stores and boutiques occupied by leading international, regional and local brands.

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.

You can read the full, 32-page plan by clicking here.

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