Authorizes office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to lease and license the use of buildings and facilities within Knox Farm state park

3 Co-sponsors

• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Mark Grisanti
• Roy J. McDonald

BILL NUMBER:S6719A

Title of bill

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to leasing and licensing of property

Purpose of the bill

The bill would permit the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation ("Commissioner") to enter into a lease or license not to exceed forty years for buildings and facilities at Knox Farm State Park.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law ("PRHPL") § 3.09, subd. 2-d to add Knox Farm State Park ("Knox") to the list of facilities that the agency can enter into private leases for terms of up to forty years.

Section 2 of the bill would make the bill effective immediately upon enactment into law.

Existing law

PRHPL § 3.09(2-d) authorizes the Commissioner to enter into leases of a number of specifically-named park structures for terms of up to forty years, in recognition that the extensive capital improvements needed to the listed structures require longer lease terms to secure private investment. In entering into any such lease, the Commissioner is required to ensure that the use of the leased structure is compatible with the public enjoyment of adjacent park facilities. Further, the lease must contain terms and conditions that the Commissioner deems necessary to address environmental, historic and recreational resources and to protect the public interest. Revenues from leases are deposited in the State Park Infrastructure Fund to preserve, improve or rehabilitate park infrastructure.

Legislative history

This is a new proposal.

Statement in support

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation ("OPRHP") has identified several buildings within Knox that would benefit from the additional lease terms afforded under PRHPL § 3.09(2-d).

OPRHP acquired Knox Farm State Park in 2000. Its 633 acres are comprised of walking paths and trails, 400 acres of grasslands, 100 acres of woodlands, ponds and several wetland areas, and soccer fields and riding areas maintained by the Town of Aurora. It includes a thirty-five room house with several outbuildings and an equestrian area. It is an outstanding example of farm and equestrian buildings

from the turn of the 19th century that are eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Many of the structures are in relatively stable condition, but OPRHP has no use for the main house, the equestrian area and barns, and other vacant structures. Because they are vacant, they are deteriorating. Significant investment is needed to bring them into compliance with current building codes and make them accessible.

This bill would add these structures to the buildings associated with approximately fifty other parks previously designated as requiring longer term leases in order to attract private funds for repair and rehabilitation efforts. These efforts in the past have resulted in the renovation of such properties.

Budget implications

None.

Effective date

The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment into law.