EDC adopts 700-page environmental impact study for $1.2B Belmont Park project

The board of the Empire State Development Corporation unanimously adopted a nearly 700-age environmental impact study of the $1.2 billion Belmont Park arena and entertainment complex, Newsday reported. The project will be the future home of the New York Islanders hockey team, which earlier this month resumed playing regular season home games in Nassau. As noted by Newsday, the report found that the project “would not have the potential to result in significant adverse cumulative impacts other than in the area of transportation.” The Belmont Park project, which in June enlisted the efforts of a multinational law firm as general counsel to the EDC, will bring traffic challenges to the Cross Island Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike. When done, the complex will hold a 19,000-seat arena, 435,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, a movie theater and a 250-room hotel. There will be public hearings on the environmental impact of the project for three days starting on Jan. 8, according to Newsday, with written comments being accepted through Feb. 11. The Islanders hope to move into their new home in time for the 2021-22 season. [Newsday]