Bill > A08452

This bill requires the New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner to establish a formal, publicly-available application process for sole-source concession agreements, which are specialized agreements with not-for-profit organizations to provide various programs and services in city parks. The bill mandates that within six months of the act's effective date, the commissioner must create an application process and be prepared to receive inquiries for such agreements. When an application is submitted, the city must respond within 120 days, either detailing negotiation parameters or denying the application with a stated cause. The bill sets a three-year timeline for completing sole-source concession negotiations and provides enforcement mechanisms, including independent arbitration if the city fails to respond within 180 days or complete negotiations within the specified timeframe. A sole-source concession agreement can cover a wide range of activities, including museums, nature centers, educational programs, urban agriculture, markets, special events, and restaurants. The bill requires that any organization receiving such an agreement must hold insurance and indemnify the city, and the Franchise Concession Review Committee must approve all agreements. The key innovation is creating a structured, transparent process for these unique partnership agreements that previously lacked a formal application and negotiation framework.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8452