Res. No. 324
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.
Session 13
DRK
LS #9288
3/1/24
JLC
LS #9288
10/18/22