The New York Islanders are finally getting their Lighthouse.

More than two decades after former Islanders owner Charles Wang first proposed the Lighthouse Project, his $3.8 billion dream of bringing housing, retail, commercial space, a renovated arena and a regional economic boost, the 72 acres surrounding Nassau Coliseum remain a sea of empty asphalt.  

But last week, after 80,000 submissions and several rounds of voting, hockey fans chose the winning design for their team's third jersey, picking a navy sweater featuring ... a lighthouse. 

Shortly after the announcement, someone I've known since the days when Wang was fighting for his Lighthouse sent me a brief note.

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"The Lighthouse Project finally comes to fruition," he wrote sarcastically. "Charles Wang would be so........

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