BILL NUMBER: S9408C
SPONSOR: HOYLMAN-SIGAL
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the Hudson river park act, in relation to the rights,
powers, duties and jurisdiction of the Hudson river park trust and the
boundaries and uses of the Hudson river park
 
PURPOSE:
To amend the allowable commercial uses at Pier 76 of Hudson River Park.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends subdivision (e) and subdivisions (g),(j) and (m) of
section 3 of chapter 592 of the laws of 1998, constituting the Hudson
river park act, as amended by chapter 517 of the laws of 2013 to allow
for and set height limit and location parameters for any commercial
office development at Pier 76, allows for amusement rides and tourist
attractions, as well as facilities for waterborne transportation activ-
ities and floating restaurants at Pier 76, and removes limitations on
offshore barges docked at Pier 76.
Section 2 amends subdivision 1-a of'section 7 of chapter 592 of the laws
of 1998, constituting the Hudson river park act, as added by chapter 517
of the laws of 2013 to allow for a change in the historic footprint of
Pier 76 during reconstruction as long as it maintains the same size
footprint and more than 50% of the footprint is dedicated to park use.
Section 3 amends paragraphs (c) and (i) of subdivision 9 of section 7 of
chapter 592 of the laws of 1998, constituting the Hudson river park act,
paragraph (c) as amended by section 2 of part WW of chapter 56 of the
laws of 2020 and paragraph (i) as amended by chapter 517 of the laws of
2013 to remove outdated language regarding the transfer of Pier 76 from
the City of New York to New York State. Allows for the Hudson River Park
trust to limit up to 100% of Pier 76 to park use and disallows any
commercial or municipal parking garages or facilities. Allows for
commercial development east of the bulkhead. Creates a process for a
West 30th street heliport site task force to be formed if the trust
initiates a request for proposals for the heliport site.
Section 4 amends paragraph (c) of subdivision 3 of section 8 of chapter
592 of the laws of 1998, constituting the Hudson river park act allows
for a change in the footprint of Pier 76 provided that any change shall
result in the same size footprint and in more than 50% of the footprint
dedicated to park use.
Section 5 adds a severability clause.
Section 6 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In summer of 2023, the Hudson River Park Trust convened the Pier 76 Task
Force to explore and discuss ideas that could lead to the successful
redevelopment of Pier 76 as a location that fulfills its dual intended
missions under the Hudson River Park Act: high quality public open space
and revenue-generation that helps support the overall care and mainte-
nance of Hudson River Park. This task force included all elected offi-
cials who represent the park as well as representatives from the Hudson
River Park Advisory Council, Community Boards 1, 2, and 4, Hudson River
Park Friends, and Trust Board members.
At the conclusion of the task force process, results from the work
accomplished were published publicly and Manhattan Community Board 4,
which encompasses Pier 76, set forth recommendations based on the work
of the task force for the future of Pier 76.
This legislation allows for new future commercial uses solely at Per 76,
such as commercial office development, amusement rides and tourist
attractions, facilities for waterborne transportation activities and
floating restaurants. Pier 76 faces up to $150 million in repair and
reconstruction costs that must be faced in the near future to avoid the
complete removal of the pier for any public use.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.