File #: Res 0367-2022    Version: * Name: Governor to sign A. 10414-A/S. 9032-B that would in part extend the master ground lease between the Battery Park City Authority and New York City, and A. 10371-A/S. 9031-A that would in part require a majority of the Authority Board members to be primary
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Land Use
On agenda: 10/27/2022
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the Governor to sign A. 10414-A/S. 9032-B that would in part extend the master ground lease between the Battery Park City Authority and New York City, and A. 10371-A/S. 9031-A that would in part require a majority of the Authority Board members to be primary residents of Battery Park City.
Sponsors: Christopher Marte
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 367, 2. October 27, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 10-27-22, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - October 27, 2022
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2023*Christopher Marte City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
10/27/2022*Christopher Marte City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
10/27/2022*Christopher Marte City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 367

 

Resolution calling on the Governor to sign A. 10414-A/S. 9032-B that would in part extend the master ground lease between the Battery Park City Authority and New York City, and A. 10371-A/S. 9031-A that would in part require a majority of the Authority Board members to be primary residents of Battery Park City.

 

By Council Member Marte

 

Whereas, In 1968, New York State (State) Governor Nelson Rockefeller signed the Battery Park City Authority Act, which authorized the creation of a public benefit corporation, known as the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA), focused on building and managing an area on the lower west side of Manhattan; and

Whereas, After extensive public input and negotiations between the New York City (City) and State governments, the BPCA began construction of a 92-acre neighborhood, called Battery Park City, in such area; and

Whereas, Battery Park City property owners do not own the land where their properties are located but pay the BPCA rent, Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) and maintenance fees; and

Whereas, The BPCA leases the Battery Park City land for a yearly “ground rent” fee to the City through a 99.5-year arrangement called the master ground lease; and

Whereas, The BPCA is about halfway into its master ground lease which is set to expire on June 18, 2069, and as a result no individual ground leases between the BPCA and Battery Park City property owners can extend beyond 2069; and

Whereas, According to a June 2022 press release from the office of State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Battery Park City residents have expressed concern that it may become more difficult to obtain mortgages and loans in connection with Battery Park City properties as the remaining time of the master ground lease shortens and lenders may have less certainty regarding the future status of the properties; and

Whereas, The members of the BPCA Board (Board), who are nominated by the State Governor, make decisions that impact Battery Park City residents and businesses, such as the negotiation of individual ground leases, the management of assets and the awarding of contracts that serve and impact the Battery Park City community; and

Whereas, A. 10414-A, sponsored by Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou in the State Assembly, and companion bill S. 9032-B, sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh in the State Senate, would extend the master ground lease until June 18, 2119 in order to permit the BPCA to extend individual ground leases with property owners; and

Whereas, A. 10371-A, sponsored by Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou in the State Assembly, and companion bill S. 9031-A, sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh in the State Senate, would require primary residents of Battery Park City to make up a majority of the members of the BPCA Board so that the Board can understand the neighborhood’s needs and values; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the Governor to sign A. 10414-A/S. 9032-B that would in part extend the master ground lease between the Battery Park City Authority and New York City, and A. 10371-A/S. 9031-A that would in part require a majority of the Authority Board members to be primary residents of Battery Park City. 

 

 

JLC

LS #9288

10/18/22