Authorizes the city of New York to alienate certain parkland

Title of bill

An act to authorize the commissioner of parks and recreation of the city of New York to enter into an agreement for the operation of a children's program known as the Bronx Children's Museum in a portion of a building located in Mill Pond Park in the borough of the Bronx

Purpose or general idea of bill

To authorize the city of New York to enter into an agreement with the Kids Powerhouse Discovery Center, LLC, for the operation and maintenance of a children's program known as the Bronx Children's Museum in a building situated in Mill Pond Park in the borough of the Bronx.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of this bill would authorize the New York City Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to enter into an agreement with the Kids Powerhouse Discovery Center, LLC for the maintenance and operation of a children's program known as the Bronx Children's Museum on the second floor of Building J located in Mill Pond Park in the borough of the Bronx. Such agreement would allow for the placement of signs identifying the museum.

Section 2 of this bill would require New York City to dedicate an amount equal to or greater than the fair market value of any portion of parkland which may be authorized to be used by this act for a non-park purpose for the acquisition of additional parkland and/ or capital improvements to existing park and recreational facilities.

Section 3 of this bill describes the portion of parkland that would be authorized to be used for the Bronx Children's Museum pursuant to this act.

Section 4 of this bill would require that upon termination or discontinuance of the purpose identified in this act, such parkland shall be used for park and recreational purposes.

Section 5 of this bill would require New York City to comply with the federal requirements pertaining to the conversion of parklands.

Section 6 of this bill would require New York City to comply with the conditions of an agreement between such City and the New York State Historic Preservation Office prior to entering into an agreement pursuant to section one of this act.

Section 7 of this bill would require this act to take effect immediately.

Justification

With the widespread support of community residents and elected officials in the Borough of the Bronx, the Bronx Children's Museum is an educational initiative designed to serve all 1.3 million residents of the county. Begun in 2006 with a series of traveling programs that inspire children and their families to learn more about the world in which they live, the Museum is preparing to move into its new home in 2017. After consultation with the appropriate officials of the New York City government it has been determined that a museum is not an acceptable use of park land and that park alienation legislation is the only means available to ensure that the Bronx Children's Museum is able to post signage on the building being used to house the Museum. This legislation responds to that need, explicitly limits the alienation to a portion of the exterior wall required for the signage and requires full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Prior legislative history

New Legislation

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.