$1B Belmont arena project opposed in public hearings

Critics made up the majority of the hundreds of people who attended public meetings at the Elmont Memorial Library on Jan. 9 about the proposed $1.18 billion arena development at Belmont Park, Newsday reported. The Empire State Development Corporation organized the hearing over the 43-acre project, which includes a 19,000-seat arena, 250-room hotel and a 435,000-square-foot retail village. Opponents at the hearings complained about potential traffic, congestion, safety concerns and obstacles to emergency responders. Empire State Development, in an initial environmental impact statement, said the development won’t have a “cumulative negative impact on the area” except for transportation. Officials at the meetings said a full-time Long Island Rail Road stop should be built to offset those problems. The project is being pushed by New York Arena Partners, a development group that Long Island Business News noted is made up of the Oak View Group, Sterling Equities and the Scott Malkin Group. The public can submit comments electronically through Monday, Feb. 11. [Newsday]