An agreement between Westchester County and the management company Standard Amusements to transfer management of Rye Playland will spill over into late April as the Board of Legislators works to whittle down the deal’s $58 million in county funded capital projects.
A newly proposed deal by members of the county Board of Legislators, according to board Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat, would suggest a new price tag of $30 million in county-funded infrastructure projects, cutting the former proposal by nearly half.
As a part of an amended agreement struck between Standard and Republican County Executive Rob Astorino’s administration, which was reached in late February, Standard is also planning to invest $30 million of its own money into making necessary improvements to the park.
Ned McCormack, spokesperson for Astorino’s administration, said that the new proposed dollar amount isn’t set in stone, but will be part of an ongoing conversation with the Board of Legislators and Standard.
“The negotiations are between Standard and the board,” McCormack said. “If they come up with a number that’s less than $58 million then that’s between them.”
According to Kaplowitz, the proposed $30 million in county-funded projects for the park represents a much more feasible split between the two partners.
“We showed that a 30/30 [split] is the sweetest spot,” Kaplotwitz said in reference to both partners putting in $30 million. “It’s a significant investment but it reduces our financial cost quite a bit.”
Kaplowitz added that through 2027, the deal with Standard will ensure that the county spends $4 million less than they would if there weren’t a deal agreed upon.
Additionally, proposed legislation—which will be voted on by the Board of Legislators after press time—aims to extend the current agreement’s March 31 deadline until April 29, effectively prolonging Standard’s option to walk away from the deal.
According to Kaplowitz, Standard has showed a willingness to negotiate with the county.
“They’ve shown quite a bit of flexibility so far,” he said.
The latest extension of the deadline comes after a string of alterations to an agreement originally struck between Standard and Astorino in June 2015 to transfer over management and operations of the park to the private company.
While the initial agreement proposed only $22.5 million in county-funded capital projects to the ailing 88-year-old amusement park, an amended agreement introduced in February 2016 nearly tripled that amount.
Since the newly amended agreement was introduced, backlash from members of the county board—who claim that the terms of the new agreement are too burdensome on taxpayers—have put a pause on the deal’s finalization until it’s fully vetted.
According to county administration and legislative officials, projects like a $20 million effort to restore the park’s colonnades will be at the forefront of the discussion.
“Nothing is off the table right now,” Kaplowitz said.
County legislators Catherine Parker and Ken Jenkins could not be reached for comment as of press time.
