Bill > S07744

This bill authorizes the city of Albany to discontinue the use of 4.5 acres of land within Lincoln Park for school purposes, with important conditions and safeguards. The city can now sell and convey these parklands at fair market value for any school purposes, including constructing school buildings and related streets, which is a change from the original law that specified only public school purposes. The bill requires that the city dedicate an equal or greater amount of funds from the sale towards acquiring new parklands or making capital improvements to existing park and recreational facilities. Additionally, if the parklands were originally purchased with federal funding, the city must first comply with federal requirements for parkland alienation, which includes obtaining approval from the Secretary of the Interior and ensuring that any replacement lands are equivalent in fair market value and usefulness. These provisions aim to protect the city's park resources while providing flexibility for educational infrastructure development. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7744