Authorizes the Urban Development Corporation to create a subsidiary corporation for the purpose of the further planning, design, and oversight of the Atlantic Yards land use improvement and civic project.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A5334
SPONSOR: Mosley (MS)
 
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public authorities law, in
relation to creating a subsidiary corporation for the planning and over-
sight of the Atlantic yards project
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: The purpose of this bill is to estab-
lish a project oversight entity, to supervise the Atlantic Yards Project
in order to create increased accountability and oversight in the
project's governance.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 2827-a of the public authorities law is
amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows: Creation of a
subsidiary corporation, in 'accordance with section twelve of New York
state urban development corporation act, for the purpose of the further
planning, design and oversight of the Atlantic Yards land use improve-
ment and civic project.
 
JUSTIFICATION: New York State projects in New York City are typically
governed in one of two ways. The State can pass specific legislation
relating to the project, as it did with Battery Park City and Hudson
River Park. Alternatively, the State can govern projects under the
powers granted to it by the UDC Act of 1968, which it does with Brooklyn
Bridge Park, Queens West, Moynihan Station, and other projects. In many
cases, the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) has established
subsidiaries to formally involve the city and local elected officials in
the governance of these projects.
However, they are not obliged to do so by law and, unique among the
large state projects in New York City, there is no project subsidiary
for Atlantic Yards. The result is that the project is governed in a less
transparent, less accountable manner than comparable projects, and with-
out any vehicle for coordinating the city and state agencies involved in
the proposed development, or involving local elected officials and the
relevant community boards. Further, changes in administration in State
government, as well as-changes in the ESOC's internal organization, pose
risks to the continuity of project oversight which may threaten the
realization of Atlantic Yards' stated goals.
To address this, the proposed legislation would establish a subsidiary.
corporation for the oversight of the Atlantic Yards project. The entity
would be created to undertake four primary responsibilities.
First, oversee the implementation of the design guidelines for the
architecture of the project. Second, coordinate the involvement of state
and city agencies responsible for the environmental impact mitigations.
Third, coordinate the development of policy surrounding the project,
including transportation concerns. Lastly, approve changes to the gener-
al project plan.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009-2010 (A.11431/S.8193) Referred to Ways and Means
 
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.