The Past, Present and Future of Long Island

Wardenclyffe Tower Built by Nikola Tesla in 1901, the tower was to transmit phone calls and electricity wirelessly through the air to customers around the world. Investors couldn’t see how they could make money on wireless technology, so in 1905 they sued Tesla and shut his plant down. The tower was demolished in 1917.

Fairchild Aviation From 1927 until 1987, military aircraft were built in Farmingdale by various companies, most notably Fairchild. The airport is still used today, but the bank and train station for the 2500 employees remains closed. The former assembly plants are now a movie theater, Applebees, and shopping mall.

Grumman Bethpage Airport Built and tested fighter jets such as the F 14 Built the lunar module that drove astronauts across the moon With larger Riverhead and smaller Oakdale plant, provided high tech science jobs until 1994 It’s why I work here.

AIL Started in 1945, built radar and outer space equipment for US government. Employed 1000 scientists. Then…and now

Psychiatric Centers Long Island was the home for many psych centers since the 1800s, employing many doctors, nurses, and psychiatrists. Of the 4 massive psych centers only 1 still operates, at 1/3 capacity. Pictures of Kings Park, buildings, as they sit vacant today.

Shoreham Power Plant Built by LILCO between 1973 and $6 billion to build. Closed in Tested at 5% capacity. NEVER fully operational, even for one day. The $6 billion debt is still paid by every LIPA customer today.

Zahns Airport Ran from 1936 to 1980 as a pilot training school and a commuter airport for people who had their own planes. Today, it’s a ball field, warehouses, and a few factories.

Fitzmaurice Field in Massapequa Park was meant to let people commute from home to work by airplane. It was also home to a helicopter factory. In the 1950’s, the factory moved to Suffolk, and the airport was closed. Since so many people moved to this area, they turned the airport into… Fitzmaurice Field today.

Brindley Field Brindley Field was a military base in Commack that trained fighter pilots for World War One. After the war, it became a farm until 1950, when it became Modells. Brindley Field today

Gyrodyne Helicoptors Started in 1946, they invented unmanned helicopters in the 1960’s right here on Long Island. Produced military helicopters from the 50’s through the 90’s for US, Germany, and Israel. Employed close to 700 engineers. Today the land is being developed into senior housing and a golf course.

OSI Pharmaceuticals Long Island’s biggest pharma business, was leaving for Westchester, NY, taking 300 high tech science jobs with it. Instead, it was bought out by a Japanese company, who are taking the jobs overseas.

Old Plainview Proposed in 2003 Contained village style condominiums, townhouses, senior residences, low cost housing, offices, retail shopping and a luxury hotel. Withdrawn in 2007 over community protests. What’s there now.

Lighthouse Project Project proposed in 2005 was to have a Sports Complex, a convention and exhibition space, and 2,300 low cost residences. Proposed to build the only 5 star hotel on Long Island. Rebuilding of the Nassau Coliesseum. Building of a sports medicine hospital. Killed by Town of Hempstead in the summer of 2010.

Heartland Town Center Project will include 9,000 housing units, a million square foot "life-style" center, 3 million square feet of Class A office space, a modern hotel and convention center, indoor and outdoor civic space and an aquarium. Land currently occupied by Pilgrim State Psych Center Vote takes place next month in the Town of Islip.

Discussion What kind of jobs have left Long Island? What kinds of jobs are being created on Long Island? Why are the current proposals for land use of such high density? Why are politicians more inclined to refuse than to approve a project? What kind of housing is being developed on Long Island? Why? Based on this information, in your opinion, what kind of economic future faces Long Island?