Establishes a resident curator program for the rehabilitation of state park buildings

BILL NUMBER:S4757A

Title of bill

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to establishing a resident curator program for the rehabilitation of state park buildings

Purpose of the bill

This bill would amend Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law (PRHPL) § 3.09 to authorize the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) to establish a Resident Curator Program with respect to leasing three vacant and obsolete buildings located at Long Island-based parks.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would add a new subdivision 2-h to PRHPL § 3.09 to establish the Resident Curator Program with respect to residential-style buildings located in three Long Island-based parks: Cold Spring Harbor State Park; Heckscher State Park; and Hither Hills State Park.

Section 2 of the bill provides that the bill would be effective immediately.

Existing law

Various subdivisions of PRHPL § 3.09 authorize OPRHP to enter into leases or licenses with private and governmental entities to improve and operate State park and historic facilities.

Prior legislative history

A bill proposing a similar program was first introduced in 2010 (A.11219- A/S.7986-A) and in 2011 (A.5710/S.2749).

Statement in support

OPRHP has an inventory of residential buildings situated within park and historic site boundaries that are not currently used for a number of reasons, including that they (i) have deteriorated to the point that significant capital investments would be required before they could be used, or (ii) do not serve a park purpose. Due to their location within state parks or historic sites, however, buildings that meet either of these conditions are not appropriate for disposition through the usual methods available to State agencies. This bill would create an innovative mechanism for attracting private investments to rehabilitate obsolete and deteriorated residential structures that do not otherwise have a park or historic-related purpose, allowing OPRHP to focus its very limited capital funds on other priorities.

The Resident Curator Program that would be established under the bill is similar to programs established in other states including Maryland and Massachusetts. The bill would authorize OPRHP to enter into leases through the State's normal competitive bidding process with private individuals, who would then rehabilitate vacant residential buildings at their own expense using private funds. In exchange, these individuals would receive a long-term lease (up to 40 years), subject to all applicable State laws, regulations and requirements. Ownership of rehabilitated residential structures would remain with OPRHP, and the agency would receive the benefit of rehabilitated structures at the end of the lease term. OPRHP has selected three properties located on Long Island to launch the Resident Curator Program: (i) the LI 73

lab residence at Cold Spring Harbor State Park; (ii) the Hollins House at Heckscher State Park; and (iii) the building identified as LI 40 house at Hither Hills State Park. All three properties have been vacant for many years and need major renovation to be occupied. They are located in areas convenient for Resident Curators and compatible with park and recreational uses.

Budget implications

None.

Local impact

None.

Effective date

Effective immediately upon enactment.