Belmont Park environmental review: ESD studying LIRR service for arena events only, no analysis of cost and source of funding
Newsday's Randi Marshall, in a column 8/29/14, found a key twist in the saga of the planned arena at Belmont Park, built by a consortium including owners of the New York Islanders: Responding to questions about the potential expansion of Long Island Rail Road service at Belmont, the state’s development agency offered this bureaucratese: “. . . While there have been discussions regarding the provision of additional LIRR service for the retail village during off-peak periods during times with no arena events, the transportation analyses in the DEIS [the draft environmental impact statement] will conservatively assess future conditions with additional LIRR service provided to Belmont Park station for arena events only.” Translation: Empire State Development will study providing extra service only during New York Islanders games, concerts, and other events at the new arena. However, Marshall inquired, and was told that officials at ESD said there is ongoing discussion about year-...