BILL NUMBER: S9683
SPONSOR: GONZALEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in
relation to the sale by the city of New York of certain lands now or
formerly under the waters of Whale Creek otherwise known as Wyckoff
Creek, which was a tributary of Newtown Creek
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To authorize the City of New York to grant, convey and release to abut-
ting upland owners certain lands now or formerly under the waters of
Whale Creek, otherwise known as Wyckoff Creek, which was a tributary of
Newtown Creek, located in the borough of Brooklyn.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 4-106 of the Administrative Code of the City of
New York by adding a new subdivision 11 to authorize the city to grant,
convey and release to abutting upland owners, upon such terms and condi-
tions and for such consideration as it may deem proper, the lands now or
formerly under the waters of Whale Creek, otherwise known as Wyckoff
Creek, which was a tributary of Newtown Creek, situated in lot 1 on
block 2612 on the tax map of the city of New York for the borough of
Brooklyn.
Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the New
York City Department of Transportation (DOT) jointly lead the "Blue
Highways" initiative, which stems from the US Maritime Administration's
Marine Highway Program and seeks to increase the regional transportation
of freight within New York City's waterways. The initiative seeks to
shift freight traffic off crowded streets, which will reduce truck
congestion and lower greenhouse gas emissions, improving the quality of
life for New Yorkers. Lot 1 on Block 2612 on the Tax Map of the City of
New York for the Borough of Brooklyn has been nominated as a "Blue High-
ways Opportunity Site." Enabling the disposition by the City of New
York of the lands formerly under water, which traverse the property,
will support the property's development as a Blue Highways facility, by
allowing for highly efficient site planning and marine court placement.
This would occur by permitting simultaneous barge operations as well as
continuous tug operations. As the lands formerly under water are no
longer subject to tidal flow and have been legally filled in and incor-
porated into the adjacent upland properties for many years, they no
longer serve as an active waterway. Further, the abutting upland owners
have occupied and improved these lands. This legislation will enable the
City of New York to convey these lands to the abutting upland owners,
thereby allowing the full use and enjoyment of the property, support a
Blue Highways development and clarify title. The enactment of this
legislation is necessary to authorize the sale pursuant to section 4-106
of the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the state. The City of New York will receive consideration from
the sale of said lands as it may deem proper.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill is effective immediately.