State pushing Belmont development

The dust has barely settled from the race to develop Aqueduct Race Track in Ozone Park - and elected officials are jockeying for the lead in announcing plans to develop Belmont Park.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, the last holdout in approving the deal that gave Delaware North Companies the franchise to operate Video Lottery Terminals (VLT) at Aqueduct, was first out of the gate with a Belmont press release on Sunday, October 26. Skelos’ Senate district includes the track and its environs in Nassau.
Shortly afterwards, Governor David Paterson’s office issued their announcement, declaring that he was in the lead on the issue.
“In recent weeks, my administration began discussions with legislative leaders, State economic development officials, the racing industry, and local elected officials and community representatives in Nassau County about launching a comprehensive effort to redevelop Belmont Park,” Paterson said.
“Given my administration’s leadership on this front, I was encouraged to learn today that Senate Majority Leader Skelos joined our own call for development options,” he continued.
Long considered one of the most beautiful venues for thoroughbred horse racing in America, the oval track and grandstands sit on 430 acres, a small portion of which is in Queens.
In addition to large parking fields for cars, buses and even Long Island Rail Road trains, there is a large landscaped area which prompted the name for the race course, built by August Belmont and first opened in May of 1905.
In his statement, Skelos “called upon the Paterson Administration to work with the State Legislature, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and local community leaders to develop a comprehensive development plan for Belmont Park.”
“The plan would be submitted to the Franchise Oversight Board by January 1,” according to Skelos, which was exactly mirrored by Paterson, who said he had “tasked members of my administration to begin a planning process to explore development options at the park,” last week, according to the statement.
For their part, Skelos and Assemblymember Tom Alfano whose district also includes Belmont, have been boosting Belmont development for some time.
Both were strong advocates for building a 5,000 VLT “racino” at Belmont, a few miles from the 4,500-VLT operation just approved for Aqueduct.
The Belmont proposal was scratched, largely due to implacable resistance by State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Skelos took a jab at Silver after recounting a petition drive last year.
“Despite this demonstration of support from the affected community, Speaker Silver refused to negotiate with the Senate and the Governor regarding VLTs at Belmont - creating a $250 million shortfall in the Executive Budget proposal,” he claimed.
According to Dan Weiller, a Silver spokesperson, “The speaker’s opposition to additional VLTs at Belmont is not news. He is a supporter of the concept behind other development ideas at Belmont.”
This year’s state budget had a $250 million in projected income from VLT revenues, which was realized with the acceptance of the Aqueduct bid, with its $370 million down-payment by Delaware North.
This leaves Belmont development as the last piece of the puzzle for job creation and enhanced revenue from the two downstate NYRA-operated tracks.
Paterson’s proposal directs the Empire State Development Corporation and the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to work with NYRA, Nassau legislators and “other local groups” including Queens’ Community Board 13, to develop “a range of possible development options for Belmont Park.”
Development in the absence of a VLT operation would have to rely on more commercial development, according to industry sources.
Skelos however, is still pulling for VLT’s in his district. After pointing to Aqueduct, he declared, “Belmont is the next logical step,” and insisted, “It’s time to build a true tourist destination that’s an economic engine for the entire region.”