Vanderbilt Cup Races

From Lin Test:

““I live very close to the proposed location of these “condos” and can honestly say that there is just not adequate room for the level of congestion this building would cause. Firstly, Orchid Road and the surrounding blocks already have a traffic and speeding problem. Secondly, the area is zoned for residential single or two family homes. I would have no problem with the developer building two or three houses in the location much like was done off Jerusalem Avenue in Hicksville, directly across the street from the Spindle Road intersection. That location has a single road into it for access, but there is no greater strain on the community services and neighbors in the area. I think that this would allow the builder to still make a profit, without destroying the general landscape and feel of the area. I also believe that while I would love to see some historic park developed here, it is not the builders responsibility to do that. I do, however, feel that he DOES have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of the community that he purchased in. If he bought land under the mistaken idea that he could get the land use re-zoned that is his bad investment and no one else’s fault. But let’s not be naive and say he should make some skate park. REALITY - he wants to make some money and we want to maintain our community——CAN ANYONE SAY COMPROMISE?”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From gj:

““It is my understanding the grandstand resembled a large herring and was painted bright red.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Thomas rus:

““Henry - We may not have lawyers on retainer, but the law is very much on the side of the LPOA and those who should (and do) oppose this development. Specifically, the LPRD—which you cite—articulates very eloquently the need to avoid piecemeal intrusion in a planned community like Levittown. More specifically, it sets forth the major concepts which have formed the basis of zoning law since the Euclid case, namely, the right of towns and homeowners to preserve the safety and well-being of residents, avoid creation of dangerous traffic conditions, and maintain the character of a neighborhood with single-family, detached homes. The corporate predecessor of Josato, Terra Homes, applied in 1984 for variances on another portion of the Old Motor property, and was denied by the NYS Supreme Court in 1987, which finding was affirmed by the NYS Court of Appeals. A similar application by Powerhouse Road Associates with respect to the Crocus Lane property was defeated a few years later. It’s worth remembering that neither the LPOA nor residents in opposition should say that they oppose any and all development—rather, they oppose development that is not in conformity with the LPRD. Keep the faith, as they used to say. - Tom”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

I have one also I am from Brentwood Long island N.Y. Been in my family a long time do not know were it is from. Vanderbilt cup races were held here but no airplanes were used.

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

Howard,

That’s an incredible amount of research.  Thanks.

Rog

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#21 Willis Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in Williston Park

Well done - great photos!  Wonder if Ms Ada was Nat. Wood in the Tony Curtis film?

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

From Robert R:

“Wonderful piece on Maple Cottage, Howard.

So great to know that it still exists.”

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Paul,

When the Long Island Motor Parkway closed in 1938, this property was transferred to Nassau County. I believe the property was auctioned by the county over 20 years ago and was purchased by Josato for less than $100,000. The relative low price reflected the zoning restrictions.

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Paul:

Henry /Howard:
Do we know or is their a trail of who owned this large parcel over the years?
examples:
Was it not supposed not to be sold to a builder/developer etc???
Was it supposed to have been preserved?
Was the county/TOH supposed to keep it as park land????

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

Thanks for your opinion.

I actually agree with you that it is more important to maintain the integrity of the community than the historical significance of the site.

But, what happens if the rezoning effort is rejected? What, if anything, will be done with the property? For the last three years, Nassau County has considered purchasing the property as part of the Motor Parkway Trail and working with the community on its development.

Brian Schneider, Assistant to Deputy Commissioner of Public Works in Nassau County, has stated; “Department of Real Estate Planning and Development reached out to Josato, Inc. and their attorney William Cohn several times over the last three years to initiate negotiations for the purchase of the property and were rebuffed each time”.

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Mac:

“Henry well said that is my point. We dont need to dwell on some race or parkway.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Henry:

“Chris:
Excellent point! Our declining population clearly demonstrates there is no need for high density-housing in Levittown.

Mac:
I agree with one statement you made: Levittown itself has secured a place in history.

“Levittown’s place in American cultural history is assured in part by the way each part of it was constructed: the site, the neighborhoods, the community, but most of all the individual houses’
- Peter Bacon Hales, Art History Department, University of Illinois at Chicago

Preserve Levittown as originally planned and developed: A suburban community of one-family dwellings as evidenced by various declarations of restrictions which were filed in the office of the County Clerk of Nassau County.

SPOT ZONING can’t be permitted!”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Mac:

“Chris I agree with you. Howard you are right history is in the eye of the beholder but I hardly believe a three year event held on Motor Parkway from 1908 - 1910 hardly holds any real historical value. If that was the case the same race was held at Roosevelt Raceway for the same amount of time and what happened there? If you want to get the town behind you they need to here facts about how their lives will change. How will this effect them directly? To ask people to get behind an obscure event from 100 years ago that wasnt even originated in Levittown but groundbreaking in Bethpage is a stretch. I would venture to guess 99 of 100 levittown residents would have no idea what you are talking about when mentioning the race or what the Levittwon Motor parkway. My guess is when asked about Levittown Motor Parkway they tell you thats where the town hall is. I do firmly believe this development shouldnt take place. perhaps if thsi historic site is so important and significant you can raise money to buy the land and convert it to a museum. But I dont think you would find enough support.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Chris Wendt:

“You cannot fight this with the argument that “We don’t want Condos”.
Better if you arm yourselves with data that indicate the “We don’t NEED Condos”.

For example, here are the US Census population totals for Levittown NY, Census Designated Place (CDP), showing a significant and continuing decline in total population:

2010 51,881
2000 53,067
1990 53,286
1980 57,045
1970 65,419

I think this amply demonstrates that there is no need for high-density housing in Levittown, and no need to violate the LPRD zoning. But someone needs to put together the argument and the data, and present it at the hearing, both orally and in writing. Preferably the person or organization to do that will live in the immediate vicinity of the property in question.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

From Henry:

“Paul:
The property size is135’ wide and 823.47’ deep.

Previously, the property owner proposed building houses on this property on substandard lots along substandard streets which was rejected at every level from the County Planning Commision, all the way up to the Court of Appeals in Albany, the highest court in New York state. They all upheld the LPRD zoning ordinance.

The owner’s business name has changed, but the property size or LPRD zoning has not. Josato, LLC is now applying for ‘special district’ business rezoning to undermine the LPRD and eliminate the ‘protection against piecemeal developement on scattered parcels which would change the well-ordered character that is Levittown’s trademark’.

Please help protect the LPRD ordinances and Levittown by expressing your disapproval of Josato’s plan in writing to the Board of Appeals, your TOH representatives and by attending the Sept 4 public hearing.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

Here is how major publications reported on the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race:

From Harper’s Weekly, “A great American automobile victory…The Vanderbilt Cup race was won by an American car with an American driver at record speed.”

Motor Magazine was effusive in their celebration of this “completely American” success: “An American car, driven by an American, designed by an American, built in an American factory in one of the thirteen original States, won a really remarkable race and the first of the world’s big motor trophies to come to America.”

Other newspapers, such as The Automobile, asserted that, “America has finally come into its own…. ”

Motor Age said, “With Robertson’s victory came the recognition of America, and American cars, as premier factors in future road racing.”

From Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

James,

Maple Cottage is now a private residence. It can be seen at the very end of Farm Lane in Lake Success and even behind some trees on Lakeville Avenue.

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Gram and I visited the spot yesterday. Found the remnants of some broken posts deep into the side of the embankment. Mosquitos found us before we could explore more. Gram was thrilled to be able to drive along the small stretch of the Motor Parkway that survives now as an access road to the pool. We also saw your newly acquired Vanderbilt limo being worked on at the service station on Jericho. Gram noted that its current paint situation gives it sort of a “rat rod” look!

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#21 Willis Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in Williston Park

I’m stumped as to the actual location now though…is it accessible? Visitable?

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

I was a caddy for nearly six years at the Fresh Meadows Country Club and yes, indeed, that property was a sketchy shared plt between the church and the club…there were remnants of foundations there for a few years and even some abandoned pump and gas station fragments in that same spot.

From The Lakeville Hotel In Lake Success