Lighthouse Moves Forward; from Newsday

Islanders' Lighthouse project gets some good news
BY ANTHONY RIEBER

anthony.rieber@newsday.com,
ken.davidoff@newsday.com

11:25 PM EST, February 20, 2009

Islanders owner Charles Wang's Lighthouse Project took a small step forward on Friday when Hempstead supervisor Kate Murray called on the town board to approve a key environmental report at its next meeting on Tuesday.

"I firmly believe it will be approved," Murray said in a telephone interview.

She was referring to the environmental report, not the overall project, which she has not taken a position on.

If the board approves the report, Lighthouse developers will next have to answer concerns about how the $3-billion project that includes a refurbished Nassau Coliseum will impact the local environment.

Murray trumpeted the town's speed in producing the report -- which many Islanders fans and Lighthouse supporters will likely see as an excellent example of chutzpah since the town has been accused of dragging its feet on approving the Lighthouse project.

The town has put the onus on the developers, saying a new arena could have been built already had the scope of the surrounding project not been so ambitious.

"I'm very proud of the speed with which town officials have processed with this environmental review," Murray said.

"We got it done in less than nine months. It's just unprecedented in a development of this size."

Murray said the town has worked "very much hand and glove throughout the last nine months" with Lighthouse developers to expedite the environmental report and the developers' response.

Coincidentally, it will be "Town of Hempstead Night" on Saturday when the Islanders host the Devils. Supporters of the Lighthouse Project are planning a demonstration during the ceremonial puck drop.

Murray said she will be unable to attend as she has "three Fire Department dinners and other events" on her schedule.

Lighthouse Project officials did not return a call and e-mail seeking comment.