N.Y. General City Law § 21-c: Passenger stations of railroad redevelopment corporations in certain cities

§ 21-c. Passenger stations of railroad redevelopment corporations in

certain cities. 1. Each city having a population of more than one

million may from time to time contract with a railroad redevelopment

corporation providing passenger service by rail to or from any passenger

station within such city and currently certified by the state

commissioner of transportation as eligible to receive the exemptions

provided by title two-b of the real property tax law to reimburse such

corporation for all or part of the costs incurred by it in the operation

and maintenance of one or more such stations, owned or used by it,

including the buildings, appurtenances, platforms, land and approaches

incidental or adjacent thereto, provided, however, that such contract

shall contain provisions pursuant to which:

a. The corporation agrees for the term of such contract not to

discontinue all passenger or all freight service, or petition any

regulatory agency having jurisdiction in respect thereof for permission

to discontinue all passenger or all freight service, to or from such

stations without the consent of such city;

b. The corporation agrees for the term of such contract to continue

the operation and maintenance of such existing facilities or portions

thereof as may be required in the public interest for the sale of

passenger tickets and the handling of baggage mail and freight at such

stations;

c. The corporation shall use the portions of any such station which

are not required for the sale of passenger tickets, the handling of

baggage, mail and freight or its railroad operations for public purposes

or for uses generally available to or serving the general public,

including but not limited to access to the railroad and related

services, facilities for the convenience and comfort of the general

public, the parking of vehicles, public assembly, recreation, cultural

activities, shelter, and terminal facilities for other modes of

transportation; and

d. Such contract shall expire not later than the first day of July

next succeeding its effective date.

Any contract made pursuant to this section may contain such other

terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the foregoing, as the city

and the corporation may agree.

2. Reimbursement of the costs of maintenance and operation of such

stations, and reimbursement of any part thereof, are hereby declared

city purposes and the cost thereof shall be a city charge to be paid

from city funds annually appropriated, raised and expended for city

purposes in the manner provided by law.

3. Any contract made pursuant to this section shall be authorized by

the board of estimate of such city by resolution and shall require the

separate approval of the mayor of such city. Such resolution may be

amended from time to time.

4. Each city entering into a contract pursuant to this section shall

file a copy thereof within ten days of its execution with the director

of the state office of transportation.