Trump by the Ocean
It was reported in yesterday’s Newsday that Donald Trump and Steve Carl (of Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage) will be opening a new restaurant at Jones Beach to replace the old Boardwalk Restaurant which closed down years ago and was recently demolished.
Donald Trump on Long Island? I’m not sure I like the idea…
Pros:
Anything built by Trump is top notch. This won’t be a half-baked sham or under funded project.
Plans call for a 36,000-square-foot facility on 6 acres, which could handle groups up to 1,400 people. In addition to the restaurant the three story building will also house a nightclub.
According to Mr. Trump, “When it’s finished, there will be nothing like it anywhere in the world.” Of course…
The facility will be open year round and includes an outdoor dining facility for beachgoers.
Cons:
Probably not too much in the con section. Anything is better than what was there.
My only concern is that the facility will be “marketed towards an affluent clientele,” not the everyday guy like you and me. According to Trump and Carl however, it will be accessible to “those who aren’t Rockefellers.”
Is it just me or does that not sound encouraging?
Jones Beach was built for the masses and I think that tradition should be observed. To plop down a haven for the affluent in the middle of it seems just plain wrong.
Most Long Islanders work pretty darn hard for a living and places like Jones Beach offer a great escape from the week’s BS. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want when I’m relaxing is a reminder of how not rich I am.
Well, the place isn’t even built yet so maybe I’m overreacting. We’ll see.
Back on the Pro side, Donald Trump is against the LIPA proposed wind farm. Good man, Donald! Although he’s against it purely for aesthetic reasons I’m still glad he’s against it.
Tangent
In my opinion the wind farm is a bad idea. It’s going to cost us a fortune to build and is not going to save us ratepayers a single cent.
Not only will it ruin the view all along Long Island’s south shore, but you’ll hear it as well. That’s right, the windmills make noise.
For a preview of how bad this is going to look check out these pictures on the LIPA Offshore Wind Park website. Click on each link below and when the picture opens scroll back and forth a dramatic panoramic view.
Jones Beach | Cedar Beach | Gilgo Beach | Robert Moses
Then read this eye opening article opposing the LIPA Wind Farm by Long Island resident, Richard Moore.
(Note: the links non longer work, so they were removed)
Construction of Trump by the Ocean is scheduled to start this year with a completion date sometime in 2008.
Regardless of the targeted clientele, this project is a much needed improvement to Jones Beach. I just hope it’s not so pricey we can’t even afford an anniversary or birthday dinner.