Floral Park mayor, residents voice displeasure about new arena, LIRR station plan

Elmont is set to get Long Island's first new full-time Long Island Rail Road station in nearly 50 years, but some residents in a neighboring community aren't on board.

News 12 Staff

Jul 9, 2019, 9:22 PM

Updated 1,750 days ago

Share:

Elmont is set to get Long Island's first new full-time Long Island Rail Road station in nearly 50 years, but some residents in a neighboring community aren't on board.
Many Floral Park residents say the latest plan to build a state-of-the-art arena for the New York Islanders in nearby Elmont, along with a new LIRR station just west of the village, is a game-changer. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the project's backers say it will bring thousands of jobs to the area, and nearly $50 million in revenue.
Village Mayor Dominic Longobardi says the plan will fundamentally change the area.
"We get no benefits from this at all, there is no payment to us, there are no taxes to us, there is no income to us, security alone is estimated to what could be $2.3 million in additional expense to us, for police to just make sure we have the quality of life we have now," says Longobardi.
Maintaining that quality of life is a major concern for many Floral Park residents like civic leader Matthew Sexton.
"We are an area where you are allowed to have your kids play on the street, you can walk the streets safely and I don't know if we can maintain that quality of life with this project moving forward," says Sexton.
One longtime resident says she's proud of living in a small town and thinks outsiders will ruin it. Others say while they're not thrilled, they will come to accept it eventually.
"I guess you have to stay with the town and the times, and if you want to make a buck you've got to do what the people want, and that's what they want," says Mike Evard, of Floral Park. "That's what will sell. That's what will bring jobs, and that's a good thing."
Longobardi says the village will continue to study the project and consider its options. Meanwhile, civic leaders say some residents are considering filing a lawsuit to stop the project.


More from News 12
2:21
Town supervisor: 2 women injured in Massapequa crash; public safety vehicle stolen while trying to help

Town supervisor: 2 women injured in Massapequa crash; public safety vehicle stolen while trying to help

1:30
Chance for showers Wednesday; cooldown for the end of the workweek

Chance for showers Wednesday; cooldown for the end of the workweek

2:14
Sachem School Board adopts budget piercing tax cap at 4.87%

Sachem School Board adopts budget piercing tax cap at 4.87%

1:28
Amityville, Sayville School Boards vote not to pierce tax caps

Amityville, Sayville School Boards vote not to pierce tax caps

0:23
Santos bows out of independent run for NY's 1st Congressional District

Santos bows out of independent run for NY's 1st Congressional District

1:48
Police release photos of vehicle involved in 2022 fatal drive-by shooting in Ronkonkoma in hope of leads

Police release photos of vehicle involved in 2022 fatal drive-by shooting in Ronkonkoma in hope of leads

0:23
Police: 5 teens caught on camera trespassing into Patchogue building

Police: 5 teens caught on camera trespassing into Patchogue building

1:40
Remains of 7 WWII vets found at Freeport funeral home

Remains of 7 WWII vets found at Freeport funeral home

0:34
DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

1:57
3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

0:51
NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:42
Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

1:54
Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

1:33
Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

0:32
Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

0:19
Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

2:12
Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

0:17
Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store