BILL NUMBER: S5932A
SPONSOR: MATTERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to authorizing the town of Huntington to alienate and
discontinue the use of certain parklands to the Huntington African Amer-
ican Museum
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Town of Huntington to
alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklands to construct the
Huntington African American Museum.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: authorizes the Town of Huntington, County of Suffolk, acting
by and through its governing body, and upon such terms and conditions as
determined by such governing body, to discontinue the use as parkland
and alienate the lands described in section three of this act, to the
Huntington African American Museum for the purpose of constructing a
museum to preserve historic artifacts, display exhibits and hold events.
Section 2: states that the authorization contained in section one of
this act shall only be effective on the condition that the Town of Hunt-
ington dedicate an amount equal to or greater than the fair market value
of the parklands being alienated pursuant to section one of this act
towards the acquisition of new parkland and/or capital improvements to
existing park and recreational facilities.
Section 3: describes the parkland authorized by section one of this act
to be discontinued as parkland.
Section 4: states that in the event that the Town of Huntington received
any funding support or assistance from the federal government for the
purchase, maintenance, or improvement of the parklands set forth in
section three of this act, the discontinuance and alienation of such
parklands authorized by the provisions of this act shall not occur until
the Town of Huntington has complied with any federal requirements
pertaining to the alienation or conversion of parklands, including
satisfying the secretary of the interior that the alienation or conver-
sion complies with all conditions which the secretary of the interior
deems necessary to assure the substitution of other lands shall be
equivalent in fair market value and usefulness to the lands being alien-
ated or converted.
Section 5: sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The construction and development of the Huntington African American
Museum authorized by this legislation will have a positive impact on the
Town of Huntington and its residents. The Museum's mission is to high-
light local and national history through the lens of African Americans
and their significant contributions to the Huntington community.
The Museum will provide local union construction jobs and become a
learning center for school-age children, as well as a new and exciting
tourist attraction for the Long Island region. The importance of this
cultural institution cannot be understated as there are a very limited
number of museums in our State which showcase the historical contrib-
utions and accomplishments of African American New Yorkers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S5932 Referred to Local Government
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.