N.Y. Public Authorities Law § 354: Powers of the authority

§ 354. Powers of the authority. Except as otherwise limited by this

title, the authority shall have power

1. To sue and be sued;

2. To have a seal and to alter the same at pleasure;

3. To acquire, hold and dispose of personal property for its corporate

purposes;

4. To acquire and hold in the name of the state by purchase or

appropriation real property or rights or easements therein and to sell,

exchange, or otherwise dispose of any real property not necessary for

its corporate purposes or whenever the board shall determine that it is

in the interest of the authority; and upon such terms and conditions and

uses as the board shall determine, to lease or to grant permits to

occupy real property not presently required for thruway purposes but

held for future use in carrying out its corporate purposes;

5. To make by-laws for its organization and internal management and,

subject to agreements with noteholders or bondholders, rules and

regulations governing the use of the thruways and all other properties

and facilities under its jurisdiction, which shall be filed with the

department of state in the manner provided by section one hundred two of

the executive law;

6. To appoint officers, agents and employees and fix their

compensation, provided, however, that the appointment of the executive

director shall be subject to confirmation by the senate in accordance

with section twenty-eight hundred fifty-two of this chapter; subject

however to the provisions of the civil service law, which shall apply to

the authority as a municipal corporation other than a city;

7. To make contracts, and to execute all instruments necessary or

convenient;

8. Subject to agreements with noteholders or bondholders, to fix and

collect such fees, rentals and charges for the use of the thruway or any

part thereof necessary or convenient, with an adequate margin of safety,

to produce sufficient revenue to meet the expense of maintenance and

operation and to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the

holders of its notes or bonds, and to establish the rights and

privileges granted upon payment thereof.

9. To retain and employ private consultants on a contract basis for

rendering professional and technical assistance and advice;

10. To construct, reconstruct or improve on or along the thruway in

the manner herein provided, suitable facilities for gas stations,

restaurants, and other facilities for the public, or to lease the right

to construct, reconstruct or improve and operate such facilities; such

facilities shall be publicly offered for leasing for operation, or the

right to construct, reconstruct or improve and operate such facilities

shall be publicly offered under rules and regulations to be established

by the authority, provided, however, that lessees operating such

facilities at the time this act becomes effective, may reconstruct or

improve them or may construct additional like facilities, in the manner

and upon such terms and conditions as the board shall determine;

11. To construct and maintain over, under, along or across a thruway

under its jurisdiction telephone, telegraph, television, electric power

and other wires or cables, pipe lines, water mains and other conduits

and mechanical equipment, not inconsistent with the appropriate use of

the thruways, or to contract for such construction; and upon such terms

and conditions as the board shall determine, to lease all or any part of

such property and facilities or the right to use the same, whether such

facilities are constructed by the authority or under a contract for such

construction, or to lease the right to construct and use such facilities

or to grant permits or easements for such purposes to any governmental

agency of the state of New York or to any public corporation, or to the

United States of America or any governmental agency thereof for any

public purposes or to individuals, partnerships and corporations,

provided, however, that no lease or renewal thereof shall be granted for

a period of more than thirty years from the date when such lease is

made;

12. To borrow money and issue negotiable notes, bonds or other

obligations and to provide for the rights of the holders thereof;

13. To enter on any lands, waters, or premises for the purpose of

making borings, soundings, and surveys;

14. To accept any gifts or any grant of funds or property from the

federal government or from the state of New York or any other federal or

state public body or political subdivision or any other person and to

comply with the terms and conditions thereof;

15. To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes

and exercise the powers expressly given in this title.