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New York State has selected the New York Islanders' proposal to develop the Belmont site Wednesday.
"This is win for the team, they're gonna have their own arena, an 18,000-seat arena that is design for the Islanders, by the Islanders," Governor Andrew Cuomo announced. "I believe the attendance will increase, I believe the passion will increase," Cuomo said.
The announcement came in front of a packed house of politicians, fans, and Billy Joel. Captain John Tavares, Cal Clutterbuck and Andrew Ladd were also in attendance. As you would expect, Islanders owner Jon Ledecky received the loudest ovation.
"Growing up in Queens, I can't be more excited that the New York Islanders will have a new address, here in the 11003 zip code, Elmont, NY," Ledecky said.
The Islanders’ partners in the development include Sterling Project Development, a real estate firm run by the Mets’ Wilpon family, would were on hand and were greeted as how you would expect, and Oak View Group, an arena development company partially funded by Madison Square Garden.
The Islanders’ bid includes an 18,000-seat, year-round arena that would host 150 events annually as well as 435,000 square feet of space for retail, a hotel with 200 to 250 rooms, and a 10,000-square-foot “innovation center” that would be developed with resident input.
It was announced that New York will invest $1 billion to build the arena, which will lead to the creation of 3,100 permament jobs.
This team and fan base has endured so much over the last 30 years, the Don Maloney and Mike Milbury years, to the countless owners serving or have served prison time. This is the biggest win the franchise has had since Game 4 of the 1983 Stanley Cup Final.
"Today is a huge day for this franchise and you (the fans) deserve it more than anyone else," Ledecky said.
Jon Ledecky, along with his partner, Scott Malkin, did almost the impossible, deliver Nassau County and more importantly, the Islanders fans, a new arena that will finally put an end to all of the off the ice talk that has plagued this team for years. Now the national and Canadian media will finally have to discuss the on the ice product.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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