WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 9987

Authorizes the city of New York to discontinue certain parkland in the borough of Queens

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Sanders

Authorizes NYC to discontinue certain Queens parkland, allowing repurposing or development after required approvals and safeguards.

AMENDED 9987A
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 9987

Summary of Bill: S 9987 (2025-2026) – Authorizes the City of New York to Discontinue Certain Parkland in the Borough of Queens

Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes the City of New York to discontinue (deactivate or repurpose) certain parkland located in the borough of Queens.
  • The underlying aim is to allow the city to alter the use of specified parkland, potentially for development, infrastructure, or other non-park purposes, subject to statutory processes and safeguards.

Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization to discontinue parkland: The bill provides a formal mechanism by which designated park parcels in Queens can be discontinued from park purposes.
  • Scope and parcels: The legislation identifies parkland within Queens that may be subject to discontinuation, though the text provided does not enumerate specific parcels. The process would likely involve city actions consistent with statutory requirements for parkland discontinuance.
  • Accompanying procedures: As a proposed act, the bill would typically require:
    • Compliance with applicable state and local laws governing the change of parkland status.
    • Additional approvals or reviews (e.g., from city agencies and potentially the state or local land use authorities) to ensure due process and protect public interests.
    • Potential requirements related to public notices, environmental review, or community input, depending on current law governing parkland discontinuances in New York.
  • Municipal governance: The authority rests with the City of New York, aligned with ordinances and procedures for redeveloping or reusing park property.

Who or what would be affected

  • Parkland in Queens: Parcels designated as parkland subject to discontinuation would be impacted, transitioning away from park status if the legislation is enacted and the discontinuation is approved.
  • Public interest considerations: Changes to parkland status could affect neighbors, local residents, community groups, and users of park spaces, who may be affected by potential development, changes in land use, or new infrastructure.
  • City agencies: City entities responsible for parks, land use, and urban development would participate in the discontinuation process, including planning, environmental review, and implementation.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduction and reporting: The bill was referred to the Cities committee on 2026-04-21.
  • Amendments: The bill has an amendment noted as 9987A on 2026-05-18, indicating proposed modifications during the legislative process.
  • Sponsorship: Co-sponsored by James Sanders, indicating bipartisan or cross-aisle support can be anticipated, depending on committee and chamber votes.
  • Legislative process: As a bill in the New York Legislature, enactment would typically require passage in both houses and gubernatorial approval, followed by any required regulatory or municipal actions to discontinue parkland.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Public access and green space: Discontinuation could reduce available parkland or redefine public access, necessitating consideration of environmental, recreational, and community impact.
  • Redevelopment outcomes: Discontinued parkland could be repurposed for housing, transit, infrastructure, or other city needs; the bill’s passage would trigger subsequent planning and approval processes.
  • Safeguards: The extent of safeguards (e.g., environmental review, public notice, community engagement) would depend on how the bill interacts with existing state and city law governing discontinuance of parkland.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on potential parcel-specific impacts once the bill’s text or any accompanying summaries identify the exact parcels and the procedural steps required for discontinuance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.