The owner of the New York Islanders is urging the Town of Hempstead to hurry up and approve the environmental report for his $4 billion development plan for Nassau Coliseum or threatens he may move the team.
The development plan, called The Lighthouse at Long Island, would transform the coliseum and 150 surrounding acres into a residential, entertainment and sports complex. Team owner Charles Wang says the project is needed to financially support the transformation of the coliseum. Without that money, Wang says, he may be forced to move the Islanders off Long Island.
Wang says the town is dragging its heels.
"At one point I'm going to throw my hands up and say enough, ?OK, OK let?s move on. Go where you are loved,?" Wang says.
Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray says the town is only following state law in its review of Wang?s plan.
?Bottom line is the Town of Hempstead has cooperated in an unprecedented way with the developer to make sure the environmental process has moved along in all due deliberate speed,? Murray says.
Wang says he's going to have to shop for a new home for the team if a final decision isn?t made by the start of the next hockey season.
The town will make a decision on whether Wang's environmental report is complete by April. The project still needs state and federal approval.