Creates the Eastchester creek intermunicipal economic revitalization agency

1 Co-sponsor

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson

BILL NUMBER:S1941

Title of bill

An act to amend the general municipal law and the tax law, in relation to creating the Eastchester creek intermunicipal economic revitalization agency

Purpose or general idea of bill

To improve opportunities for economic growth along Eastchester Creek for lands that lie both in the City of Mount Vernon and the Village of Pelham Manor. This bill establishes a inter-municipal economic revitalization agency so that the City of Mount Vernon and Village of Pelham Manor can, in a cooperative manner, jointly develop the parcels of land within such zone for the mutual benefit of both municipalities. Such inter-municipal agency shall be operated in a manner as provided by in an inter-municipal agreement signed by both municipalities.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Adds a new Title 119 to Article 15-B of the General Municipal Law which adds a new Section 680-f, entitled Eastchestex Creek inter-municipal economic revitalization agency. This new inter-municipal economic revitalization agency is hereby established to create a mechanism so that the City of Mount Vernon and Village of Pelham Manor can cooperate in the development of lands contained within both municipalities that border the Eastchester Creek. For these parcels of land, the sum of the parts in developing such area will be greater than the parts if developed separately. Further, both municipalities will be able to share in the additional tax revenue generated by such development.

Section 2: Adds a new Tax Law section 1210-f Sales and compensation use tax for purpose of the Eastchestex Creek inter-municipal economic revitalization area.

Justification

The City of Mt. Vernon and the Village of Pelham Manor recognize the mutual benefit to be derived from improving the opportunity for economic growth along Eastchester Creek, their shared border. Pelham Manor has already demonstrated that there is market support for commercial redevelopment in this area. In the past five years, two new shopping centers have been established in what was formerly an industrial zone on the Pelham Manor side of the Creek. This new commercial activity has created nearly one thousand new jobs, generated significant economic activity, and drawn thousands of new shoppers to Pelham Manor.

The purpose of establishing the Eastchester Creek inter-municipal Economic Revitalization Agency is to create a vehicle for the city of Mt. Vernon and the Village of Pelham Manor to co-operatively redevelop commercial properties along and near the Eastchester Creek and increase economic activity in this new inter-municipal district. Such agency shall be organized by the terms contained in an inter-municipal

agreement signed by both municipalities. This measure will help to facilitate the financing of a $500,000 master plan for the City of Mt. Vernon. Such a Master Plan shall help to identify environmentally challenged sites, determine potential mitigation needs, and identify other activities required to foster redevelopment in its part of the district. This cooperative arrangement and Master Plan should help to carry the job creation momentum already started in Pelham Manor's former industrial zone across Eastchester Creek into Mount Vernon. Further, it should help to eliminate the competitive disadvantage to Mt. Vernon businesses by equalizing the sales tax rate across the inter-municipal district and help to create the conditions necessary to help reclaim the lower Hutchinson River/upper Eastchester Creek as a waterway for natural habitat and recreation. This bill was revised to make technical changes to properly number the provision of this act.

Prior legislative history

Same as 2014 - S. 4461 - Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately