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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 45
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History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to rules
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5904
Title of bill
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to leasing and licensing of certain state parklands
Purpose
This bill would authorize the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to enter into agreements not to exceed forty years for the adaptive reuse of certain properties
Read the full memo (708 words)
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law (PRHPL) § 3.09(2-d) to add the construction and operation of a full service marina at Sampson State Park; the Main House and the Winter Cottage at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve; the carriage and dairy barn complex at Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston State Park; and the construction and operation of cabins and cottages at Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston State Park and Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park to the list of properties that the Commissioner may lease or license to a private entity for a term not to exceed forty years.
Section 2 of this bill would provide that no lease or license entered into by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will result in the impairment of any existing collective bargaining agreements.
Section 3 of this bill provides for an immediate effective date.
Existing law
Subdivision 2-a of section 3.09 of the PRHPL authorizes the Commissioner to enter into agreement for up to twenty years provided that agreements in excess of ten years provide for a capital investment of no less than one million dollars.
PRHPL § 3.09(2-a) authorizes the Commissioner to enter into agreements for up to twenty years provided that agreements in excess of ten years provide for a capital investment of no less than one million dollars. PRHPL § 3.09(2-d) authorizes leases and licenses for specifically delineated park-related properties for terms of up to forty years, in recognition that extensive capital improvements to the listed structures, or new capital construction, require longer-term financial investment.
Justification
OPRHP has a long tradition of working with private entities to invest in state park facilities to improve the public's experience and provide necessary resources needed to support park functions. OPRHP acquired Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve in 1961. Its 1500 acres are comprised a mix of developed, managed and natural settings, including trails for hiking and equestrian facilities. The Park
Preserve contains a 22,000 square foot historic mansion built for Marshall Field as his residence and is known as the Main House. The Main House is not currently occupied and is not currently used for any park related purpose. Due to the large upfront investment needed to bring this property back into park use and maintain it, OPRHP proposes to seek a private partner to invest in the Main House to adaptively reuse the building for services to complement the public's use and enjoyment.
OPRHP is currently considering the adaptive reuse of the carriage and dairy barns associated with Staatsburg State Historic Site located in Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills State Park. In addition, OPRHP is also exploring the construction of new cabins and cottages at Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston State Park and Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park. Due to the substantial private investment needed to bring these projects to fruition OPRHP is seeking authority to enter into a longer term lease.
Lastly, OPHRP is seeking authority to enter into a long term agreement with a private sector partner to finance, construct and/or operate a full service marina located at Sampson State Park in the Finger Lakes Region. Encompassing just over 2000 acres on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson State Park features camping and boating as the primary recreational activities. Currently, the marina has just over 100 boat slips, but is in need of substantial updating requiring a large upfront capital investment.
Any plans for the adaptive reuse or the construction of new lodging will be subject to environmental and historic preservation reviews, public notice and involvement, and any lease or license must comply with the State Finance Law. Surrounding park and historic resources will continue to be protected and any proceeds realized will be invested in capital improvements to the State Park system.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.