Secured a historic investment in playland
that protected our community
Living in the immediate area around Playland has given me a unique perspective on how to approach the revitalization of the crown jewel of our County Park system. When I ran for County Legislature two years ago, I pledged to work collaboratively to find a better way forward for Playland’s neighbors and County taxpayers.
The historic agreement I helped negotiate this year does exactly that. This agreement creates the largest investment in Playland since it was built and ensures the park is primed for success for another generation. What’s more, by reaching a unanimous, bipartisan agreement, we proved that Playland doesn’t have to be a political football.
Thanks to this agreement, Standard Amusements will invest at least $25 million dollars in Playland for long overdue improvements during this 15-year agreement. It will also pay annual escalating payments starting at $300,000 and cut the county in on 7.5 percent of the profits once it recoups its initial investment. In turn, Westchester County has committed to improve the North Boardwalk, park colonnades, lights on Playland Parkway, and invest in Playland Structural Systems, Fire Suppression system, and Playland Pathway.
Those specific commitments were not in the County Executive’s initial proposal; neither were specific commitments from the County and Standard Amusements about the size and scope of the park and employee protections. I fought to get those commitments into the final bill – and couldn’t have supported this package without them.
As a neighbor of Playland, I also believe that it’s essential that my neighbors have a seat at the table to advise Standard Amusements and the County about what our community priorities are. Thanks to the collaboration with Friends of Edith Read Sanctuary, Westchester Children’s Museum, Save the Sound and the Westchester Historical Society, this advisory board will be able to protect the cultural and historic value of Playland.
Even though the process was far from perfect, we can be proud of this result. My goals were to get relief for County taxpayers, secure transformative investments in Playland, and make sure community voices were heard. This agreement passes all three of those tests with flying colors.
The historic agreement I helped negotiate this year does exactly that. This agreement creates the largest investment in Playland since it was built and ensures the park is primed for success for another generation. What’s more, by reaching a unanimous, bipartisan agreement, we proved that Playland doesn’t have to be a political football.
Thanks to this agreement, Standard Amusements will invest at least $25 million dollars in Playland for long overdue improvements during this 15-year agreement. It will also pay annual escalating payments starting at $300,000 and cut the county in on 7.5 percent of the profits once it recoups its initial investment. In turn, Westchester County has committed to improve the North Boardwalk, park colonnades, lights on Playland Parkway, and invest in Playland Structural Systems, Fire Suppression system, and Playland Pathway.
Those specific commitments were not in the County Executive’s initial proposal; neither were specific commitments from the County and Standard Amusements about the size and scope of the park and employee protections. I fought to get those commitments into the final bill – and couldn’t have supported this package without them.
As a neighbor of Playland, I also believe that it’s essential that my neighbors have a seat at the table to advise Standard Amusements and the County about what our community priorities are. Thanks to the collaboration with Friends of Edith Read Sanctuary, Westchester Children’s Museum, Save the Sound and the Westchester Historical Society, this advisory board will be able to protect the cultural and historic value of Playland.
Even though the process was far from perfect, we can be proud of this result. My goals were to get relief for County taxpayers, secure transformative investments in Playland, and make sure community voices were heard. This agreement passes all three of those tests with flying colors.
