Court Rules County Playland Plans Can Proceed

RYE, NY — A judge ruled Monday that Westchester County can move forward with plans to revitalize Playland.

State Supreme Court Justice Gretchen Walsh rejected claims by the City of Rye that halted progress since August on the county’s public-private partnership with Standard Amusements of New York, according to a county spokesman.

The city had filed an Article 78 lawsuit, which asserted the county’s agreement with Standard Amusements violated the state’s Environmental Quality Review Act and that the City of Rye should have been given lead agency status on any improvements because the county-owned park is located within the city limits.

County Executive Robert Astorino said the ruling means the county can get back to the business of saving Playland with a $60 million investment to restore the park.

“Playland is an integral part of the fabric of Westchester County, and our goal from the start has been to ensure Playland continues to entertain the community for generations to come,” he said.

“We are pleased with this ruling as it enables Standard Amusements, in collaboration with the county, to move forward on our plans to upgrade the grounds in support of our mission,” Astorino said.

In its ruling, the court said Playland Park had been in continuous operation since 1928, which was 14 years before the city was established.

Walsh also said the city did not identify any state law that would have given the city the authority to approve or regulate the county’s use of the park.

County Legislator Catherine Parker, D-Rye, said the lawsuit was a waste of taxpayer money.

“Throughout this process, Westchester County offered the city a seat at the table for their city planner, city engineer and elected officials,” she said. “These measures were not good enough for Rye, so the mayor felt the need to enter into completely avoidable litigation.”

Unfortunately for the taxpayers of Rye, “they had to pay for both ends: Rye’s filing and the county’s response,” Parker said.

There was no immediate response from the City of Rye for a comment.

The court decision paves the way for Standard Amusements to take over park operation for the 2018 season.

Playland will open for its 89th season on May 13, 2017.

Last May, Astorino, Standard Amusements and the Board of Legislators reached agreement on a plan to pump more than $60 million into Playland: $30 million from Standard Amusements, which carries with it the right to operate the park for 30 years, and $30 million from the county to pay for 11 capital projects on the property of which the county will still retain ownership.

Standard Amusement’s $30 million investment will go toward revitalizing Playland with new rides and attractions, as well as upgrading food choices, picnic areas, and restaurants and renovating grounds and buildings.

The management agreement provides that Standard Amusements will pay the county $2.25 million; invest $27.75 million of its money within five years into refurbishing the park; and make annual payments to the county starting at $300,000 and escalating 2 percent a year. Once Standard Amusements has recouped its initial investment, the county will participate in a sliding-scale profit sharing agreement, according to information from the county.

Patch file photo.