Res. No. 417
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would create the Staten Island Green Zone.
By Council Members Oddo, Ignizio, Rose, Lander, Palma and Cabrera
Whereas, Many community and business advocates, along with city, state and federal elected officials who represent the borough of Staten Island specifically and New York City generally, support public policies and legislative efforts to develop, support and attract "green businesses"; and
Whereas, A "Green Business" is a business whose primary source of revenue is from such business activities as the provision of services in greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies, the assembly of essential components for a clean-fuel vehicle and energy efficiency technologies; and
Whereas, Currently pending in the New York State Assembly is A. 10662, a bill to create the New York State Green Economic Development Zones Act, which offers incentives and assistance to develop, relocate or expand green businesses within a designated green economic development zone in Staten Island; and
Whereas, In May 2009 the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation formed the Staten Island Green Zone Task Force consisting of representatives of industry and government officials on Staten Island to spearhead this effort; and
Whereas The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with community advocates and city, state and federal elected officials, has developed a legislative proposal for the creation of the Staten Island Green Zone, a geographic area designed for attracting and supporting companies that produce green goods and services; and
Whereas, There are currently 1106 vacant acres within the boundaries of the proposed Staten Island Green Zone; and
Whereas, The proposed "Green Zone" would consist of the following boundaries: North: Starting at the foot of the northside Goethals Bridge running east along the Goethals Bridge Extension and Goethals Road North to South Avenue then along Fahy Avenue to Felton Street; East: Running south along Felton Street and Graham Avenue to the intersection of Victory Boulevard turning east along Travis Avenue to the intersection of Richmond Avenue then running south to the intersection of Arthur Kill Road; West: Running along the western shore line of Staten Island from Gulf Avenue to the intersection of Rossville Avenue running south to Arthur Kill Road; South: running east along Arthur Kill Road from the western shore line to the intersection of Richmond Avenue; and
Whereas, It is expected that the Staten Island Green Zone will attract green technology companies, venture capitalists, strategic planners, and marketers who recognize the economic development potential in "green" technology, thereby creating green jobs in Staten Island; and
Whereas, To attract green businesses it is envisioned that the following state and city incentives will be provided: wage tax credits for firms increasing employment; investment tax credit/employment incentive credit for firms that create new employment and new investments in production, property, and equipment; state sales tax refunds on building materials to be used for commercial/industrial property located in the "green zone"; real property tax credits for firms that increase employment; Relocation and Employment Assistance Program (REAP) credits for entities moving into the green zone; Industrial and Commercial Abatement Program (ICAP) tax exemptions on real estate property taxes for renovated and newly constructed commercial and industrial buildings; Energy Cost Savings Program (ECSP) access to reduced electricity and natural gas costs; Commercial Expansion Program (CEP) package of tax benefits to help businesses relocate and expand; and Industrial Business Zone (IBZ) incentives; and
Whereas, There are many incentives for firms to relocate into the proposed Staten Island Green Zone, including those administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), National Grid, Consolidated Edison and the New York City Economic Development Corporation - Green Department; and
Whereas, With the assistance of the New York City Investment Fund, a private investment fund created to mobilize financial and business leaders to build a stronger New York City economy, many firms have already expressed an interest in locating within the proposed Staten Island Green Zone, and
Whereas, The Staten Island Green Zone, if approved, would be a source of economic development and lead to the creation of many "green" collar jobs on Staten Island; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation creating the Staten Island Green Zone.
LS #951
TBD
7/20/10