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A new train station for Belmont is (reportedly) coming. Cost and source of payment TBD

New LIRR train station planned for Belmont Park, Long Island Business News reported yesterday afternoon, quoting anonymous sources:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to be on Long Island Monday to announce plans to build a new train station to serve the proposed new arena at Belmont Park, sources told LIBN.
The station would be located on the Long Island Rail Road’s Main Line just off the north parking lot of the Belmont property, just east of the Cross Island Parkway and west of the existing Bellerose LIRR station.
The new station is necessary because there isn't a direct current westbound stop, and the eastbound station is just a spur. The article said station "could be" ready by the time the Belmont arena opens, which is supposed to be fall 2021. Schedules can slip.

Here's the key question:
It is unclear whether New York Arena Partners, the developers of the $1.18 billion arena, hotel and retail project, will contribute to the cost of the new station, however most of the cost, which could approach $300 million, will be paid for with public funds.
Newsday's response

Later yesterday, Newsday--which has generally been far more positive toward Belmont than LIBN, both in editorial and news coverage--responded, with Sources: Andrew Cuomo expected to unveil plans for new Belmont LIRR station.

Here's the key line:
The full-service rail station will cost about $100 million with arena developers funding a majority of the construction, according to sources with knowledge of the project.
Well, given that the station would most significantly serve arena-goers, it makes sense for the beneficiaries to pay. But "a majority" leaves a lot of wiggle room: that could still mean significant public support.

The battle on Twitter



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