As several of our letter writers suggest this week, there is room for compromise in the Lighthouse proposal, if only the developers will accept a smaller project.

Most people will agree that the Nassau Coliseum is a run down facility that needs to be revamped. Most will also agree that the area immediately surrounding the coliseum is also run down, and could use some economic development. Even those against the Lighthouse as it is currently proposed can see that something needs to be done about those two problems.

On the other hand, anyone who drives around that part of Nassau County knows that the roads are already way overburdened, and there are way too many vacancy signs in retail stores and office buildings. Adding another 500,000 square feet of retail and one million square feet of office space to the mix does not seem to be the right direction to go.

Those opposing the Lighthouse are not saying that nothing should be done. They are saying that this particular set of plans is way too big, and is not right for the area. Unfortunately, the developers seem to be unwilling to compromise.

If Nassau County wants to get the coliseum renovation job done for free, it seems fair that Mr. Wang should be able to get some reasonable rate of return on his investment. It does not seem reasonable that he should be get to make a fortune by building a city in the center of Nassau County that will further burden our resources.

Meg Morgan Norris

Publisher