Blakeman: 'State Did Real Injustice,' UBS Arena Parking Concerns

ELMONT, NY — The Town of Hempstead is taking action to address a serious congestion problem on the residential streets surrounding UBS Arena.

The new parking restrictions are aimed at keeping arena visitors from blocking driveways.

"I love doing my job," Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages said. "But, these issues are issues that could have been prevented."

Incoming Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman concurred.

"This is a state operation. If this was the Town of Hempstead that controlled it, this town board would never let the Islanders move in and open that arena without a parking garage being open," Blakeman told Newsday. "I think the state did a real injustice to the people of Elmont."

A parking garage is being built to alleviate the UBS traffic, Solages said.

UBS Arena opened as the Islanders' home and a world-class concert venue in November.

Solages has been critical of Albany's handling this project before and after, under governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul. However, the lawmaker is more appreciative of the Town of Hempstead, led by Supervisor Don Clavin.

"I thank the supervisor for his immediate attention to this parking issue," he said.