BILL NUMBER: S7223
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to authorizing the conveyance of certain property by
the city of New York to the Bedford-Stuyvesant volunteer ambulance
corps, Inc.
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The bill enacts a conveyance of 727 Greene Avenue, Brooklyn, to the
Bedford- Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BSVAC), the country's
first minority run and multicultural volunteer ambulance Corps.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The Bill identifies the party, generally describes the lot to be
conveyed, and sets out the justification for the conveyance. Section
4(a) and (b) sets out the conditions for which BSVAC may hold the land;
that is, for the purposes of operating, maintaining, and sustaining the
volunteer ambulance corps, including the construction of a permanent
facility, and for the continued provision of any reasonably related
services.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION:
2025 print: Additional language on services provided
 
JUSTIFICATION:
BSVAC has been a neighborhood institution serving the residents of
Bedford Stuyvesant since 1988. Their work has included training resi-
dents and the youth in emergency medical care, CPR, and first aid. BSVAC
has also trained local residents for full-time positions in the medical
field. The organization has received several awards. for their service
to the community, and their achievements have been well-documented.
Prior to BSVAC's founding, ambulance response time in Bedford-Stuyvesant
averaged thirty (30) minutes. BSVAC was able to reduce that response
time to less than four (4) minutes. Despite this history of service to a
community disproportionately affected by trauma and underserved, BSVAC,
despite its many efforts over the years, has not been able to attain
title to the land they have leased from the city of New York. They pres-
ently operate out of temporary trailers. This Bill would, pursuant to a
Home Rule Request, effect the conveyance of land with the attendant
condition that the land be used only for activities that would support
and sustain volunteer ambulance services.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S6792 - Referred to Cities 1
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None, except for costs borne by the city of New York to effect the
conveyance of the land, and any lost income from otherwise leasing the
land to BSVAC.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.