Authorizes the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to lease or license certain structures and facilities within certain state parks; repealer

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would amend PRHPL § 3.09 (2-d) by adding additional properties to the list of properties that the Commissioner may lease of license to a private entity for a term not to exceed forty years:; (i) the Winter Cottage and Main House at Caumnsett State Historic Park Preserve; (ii) recreational facilities at the location of the aquatic complex and campground at Heckscher State Park.

Section 2 of the bill would repeal subdivision 2-g of section 3,09 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law.

Section 3 of the bill provides that no lease entered in to by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the Winter Cottage and Main House at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, or for recreational facilities at the location of the aquatic complex and campground at Heckscher State Park, shall result in the impairment of any existing collective bargaining agreements.

Section 4 contains the effective date.

Existing law

PRHPL § 3.09 (2-d) authorizes the Commissioner to, among other things, enter into leases and licenses for specifically delineated park-related properties for terms of up to forty years, in recognition of the need for extensive capital improvements to the listed structures and the fact that such improvements require longer-term financial investments. PRHPL § 3.09(2-g) provides the Commissioner with authority to enter inter into a lease with the Niagara Falls City School District associated with buildings at DeVeaux Woods State Park for use as administrative offices, maintenance warehousing and related facilities, a lease that has never been consummated.

Justification

Superstorm Sandy caused significant structural damage to a number of State parks and State park facilities located on Long Island, At this time, the estimated cost to rebuild the park infrastructure, buildings and recreational facilities is expected to exceed $100 million.

Accordingly, attracting private sector partners to invest in State park facilities for the public's use and enjoyment is more critical than ever. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is focused on first directing its resources the basic and

essential health and safety amenities, such as the reconstruction of sewer and sanitary systems, boardwalks and parking, ball fields and other recreational facilities.

This bill would authorize the Commissioner to enter into longer-term leases at key buildings located in four Long Island-based parks and historic facilities. Although no specific plans or private sector partners have been identified at this time, securing long term leasing authority for these properties will aid in the agency's future planning, including in attracting private sector investment, Each of the buildings is in need of amenities and improvements that OPRHP cannot provide at this time:

* Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve: The park preserve contains a 22,000 square foot mansion known as the Main House, designed by the noted architect John Russell Pope in 1923-25.

* Heckscher State Park: The park is located on 1,600 acres fronting on the Great South Bay and includes an enormous aquatic complex dating from the Robert Moses era and campground which are both currently closed

Finally, PRHPL § 3 09(2-g) - which was enacted in 2006 - provided ORPHP with authority to enter into an agreement with the Niagara Falls City School District associated with buildings at DeVeaux Woods State Park for use as administrative offices, maintenance warehousing and related purposes. Unfortunately, no agreement was reached and neither party currently is pursuing such an arrangement.

Legislative history

This is a new proposal

Fiscal implications

There may be positive budget implications if long-term leases can be entered into associated with the properties subject to this bill

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.