Back to the New York Islanders Newsfeed

$1B Belmont Park arena plan won’t aid community, protesters say

About three dozen protesters of the proposed development at Belmont Park on Sunday carried signs reading “Selling hot dogs doesn’t pay the rent” and “The Coliseum is the Islanders’ home” at the Elmont racetrack, vowing to return June 9 for the Belmont Stakes.

Aubrey Phillips, 60, an information technology security consultant from Elmont, said he wants the $1 billion project stopped because he doesn’t believe residents will benefit.

“What’s this new development going to do for us?” Phillips said. “The jobs are not going to be high paying.”

Community organizer Tammie Williams, 36, from Elmont, said the community needs “a seat at the table” with any project at the site.