Trump on The Ocean Public Hearing

I am sure that everyone has heard something about Donald Trump and his partner Steve Carl have been in the planning stages of building a restaurant and catering facility, that will be named ‘Trump on the Ocean’. It will be on the boardwalk at Jones Beach State Park. For those of you who do know know who Steve Carl is, he operates Carlyle on the Green at Bethpage State Park.

Well I had the ‘pleasure’ of sitting in on today’s Planning Board Public Hearing that was held at the Cradle of Aviation, Garden City, NY. If you have never been to one of these ‘meetings’ then let me tell you that they be long and drawn out!

It was supposed to start at 11:00am, but due to a debate about whether or not TV crews could tape the proceedings or not, it didn’t start until after 12:00NOON. Then the representatives of Mr. Trump and Mr. Carl gave at length what was at times a very interesting presentation and at others, well let’s just say it was not as stimulating. They talked about the application and every single part of it. From water-proof doors, to the DEC not having submitted their approvals [why was that again?] prior to ‘this’ meeting, to how high the water table is, to evacuation procedures, to, to, to! Very interesting stuff for the technical person.

Then when the people that were representing Mr. Trump and Mr. Carl were finished, it was the Planning Boards turn to ask them questions about the application. Some of what they asked where highly intelligent, pertient questions. Other questions made me shake my head and wonder if the person asking them really understood the question he was asking. But I guess that perhaps their reasons where not only to ask the question but to get an answer on the record.

Ok well after 4 of the 5 board members had asked their questions, it was after 3:00pm and I knew that they would be going on for at least another 2 hours.

 What did I get out of this? Well I learned that I don’t think I would ever want to construct ‘anything’ on Long Island if I had to go thru 1/10th of what these guys did. These poor guys had to deal with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; the DEC, numerous planning boards, public hearings, politicians, and they have not even broke ground let.

A lot of this is over what seems to be the occupation of a pre-existing basement, that in the RFP [request for proposal] was there but not being used as it was in the final plans. The board asked why it wasn’t and Trump’s reps simply stated that the RFP is a basic proposal. And then when the Recreation and Historical Preservation Office said that they wanted the restaurant on the 2nd floor to give the patrons a better view of the ocean, it changed everything.

This is a long story that is not over yet! I am leaning towards Mr. Trump and Mr. Carl on this issue only because it will be a great addition to the Long Island economy. It will draw more people to Jones Beach then ever before!

Last word here… this restaurant and catering facility is 100% opened to the public. There are no ‘Wealthy Folks Only’ areas. That seems to be one of the biggest misconceptions about the place.

Well keep your eye on my blog for more interesting information!