Charles Wang Pitches the Lighthouse

Charles Wang visited LIMBA on the 16th with his Roadshow for the Lighthouse on Long Island.  Introduced by LIMBA board member and former Suffolk County Exec Bob Gaffney, Mr. Wang presented a very nicely produced DVD describing the project.  The arc of the presentation covered the decline of the Coliseum as an event venue, which led to the development of a plan for that area, and his subsequent partnering with Reckson Associates to integrate his plans with the surrounding area.  The vision for the project is a mixed use developement focused on sports.  As an avid amateur hockey player, my favorite part was the plan for a 4 rink complex.  The development's emphasis was on the creation of a sports technology center, and the creation of a round-the-clock destination and community to replace the acres of cracked, wind-swept asphalt that presently exists.  One of Mr. Wang's stated goals for the development is the creation of an icon for Long  Island, a signature property.  The centerpiece for that has been the 60 story tower called the Lighthouse, which has become a lightning rod for critics.