Politics & Government

Astorino Conference Hints Uncertain Playland Future

Intended to fete the work of the Playland Citizens' Committee, County Executive Rob Astorino's Thursday press conference highlighted uncertain future of the amusement park.

The completion of the Playland Citizens' Committee's Feasibility Report was the occasion for a Thursday morning press conference in White Plains, but County Executive Rob Astorino once again stirred up fears the amusement park at Rye Playland may have to close its doors.

After accepting the final draft of the Citizens' Committee's report from chairman James Chisholm, County Executive Astorino described an uncertain future for the amusement portion of the park.

"Running an amusement park at a loss is just not an option anymore," said Astorino. "We can't just pray for good weather."

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Astorino said that the continuing drop-offs in annual attendance and revenue from the amusement park have created a dilemma that must be confronted. 

"Closing the amusement park next year would cost $3 million, but opening the park would cost $5 million. If you asked anyone in business what decision to make that would be a no-brainer," he said.

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Revenue isn't the only factor however, when it comes to Playland. "It's not just a business decision, it's an emotional one as well." 

Even if the Dragon Coaster and other rides sat idle, Astorino said the debt service for the attraction currently costs the county $3 million annually, if the park opens an additional $2 million would be spent for labor and operating expenses.

The park—encompassing Edith Read Widlife sanctuary, the beach and boardwalk—will continue to be accessible to the public no matter what decisions are made about the amusement attractions Astorino indicated, but he conceded nothing was off the table where the amusement attraction was concerned.

Astorino said he has always seen three options for the amusement attraction: leave it as is, change it or close it. At this juncture, Astorino said all three options remain on the table.

The county executive also took a swipe at the lease agreement for Westchester Children's Museum, which he vetoed and the County Board of Legislators subsequently overrode.

"Westchester Children's Museum is not something I'm opposed to or in favor of," said Astorino. "I just respectfully say to jam this [lease agreement] through when we don’t know what the rest of property will look like is very premature."

Astorino said he thought the Board of Legislators should not have moved ahead with the lease agreement until the RFP process had concluded and also that he had concerns about the viability of the entire endeavor.

"I have some very legitimate concerns about the lease that was passed, about the costs and risks to the taxpayers," Astorino said. "I'm concerned about where we are five years from now if this plan fails."

His comments somewhat detracted from the overall importance of the Citizens' Committee report. If all options are still on the table, then exactly what weight does he intend to put on the committee's recommendations?

The 17-member group, represented at the press conference by committee chair James Chisholm, included Rye City Mayor Doug French and Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin. 

The group has been working on the report submitted today since March.

Mayor Doug French attended the press conference today and offered his assessment of the committee's task.

"The committee did not want change for change's sake, but change with a purpose, which will require deliberate financial and market analysis so that the county is not faced with a similar dilemma 10 or 15 years from now," said French. "It is a very complex situation with structural problems, but the review process was a good one and was another step in trying to balance community needs with financial realities."

After extensively evaluating all 12 proposals submitted in the "Reinventing Playland Park for the 21st Century" RFP process, the citizens' committee recommended three as "responsive" to their evaluation criteria with no particular ranking.

Central Amusements International, LLC currently works with Coney Island in New York City. Their proposal is a lease agreement of $210,000 rent paid annually plus five percent of net receipts above $7 million dollars for the county. The group would operate amusement rides on the site. The committee acknowledged "this proposal offers very little 'new'...the concept is from the 'old school.'"

Standard Amusements, LLC also proposes operating amusement rides at the Playland site. The group says it will make "a $5 million upfront investment in the park, with guaranteed yearly payments of $2 million and $10 million in investment." The committee cautioned more information was needed about the hedge fund Standard General which is backing the financing. The proposal is based on a $30 admission charge for entry to the amusements which include proposed interactive water park and waterslide attractions.

Sustainable Playland instead offers "a conservancy model similar to Central Park and/or the High Line in New York." The group proposes a 'great lawn,' athletic fields, and maintains the ice casino and restaurant component at the site. The committee said it did not understand how the group intended to generate revenue since it did not have access to that part of the proposal.


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