The supervisor of an iconic amusement park featured within the film “Huge” accused Westchester County of violating their contract – and now taxpayers might need to fork over as much as $57 million.
The non-public firm operating Playland Park in Rye is backing out of its 30-year deal to run the waterfront, Artwork Deco park, setting off a authorized battle that critics concern might delay the seasonal vacation spot’s opening this spring.
Normal Amusement instructed Westchester County authorities officers final month it was opting out of operating the sprawling property that boasts the historic Dragon Coaster and different rides as a result of the county — which owns the park — dragged its ft to complete building tasks baked into their contract.
“In November, we alerted the county that we have been terminating our settlement, based mostly on their full failure to satisfy the development obligations underneath the contract,” Normal wrote in a letter obtained by The Publish.
“By its personal admission, the county has missed the contractual deadlines, regardless of our constant flexibility and persistence, together with a blanket one-year extension on all their mission deadlines.”
Normal stated it formally terminated the contract as of Jan. 21, however knowledgeable Westchester it was prepared to maneuver on final yr. The corporate stated it’s entitled to $57 million as a part of opting out, together with reimbursement of about $44 million it invested, along with curiosity charges, in response to The Journal Information, which first reported the breakup.
Former County Government Rob Astorino, a Republican, had struck the take care of Normal after an prolonged bidding course of however earlier than they ever took over administration of the park a brand new administration got here into energy in 2018 and issues rapidly grew contentious. County Government George Latimer, a Democrat and Astorino’s successor, tried to again out of the deal in a prolonged and dear court docket battle.
Performing County Government Ken Jenkins, who took over after Latimer left for Congress at first of 2025, stated the plan is for the almost century-old park to open on time this Might however his opponent in a particular election this month solid doubt on that declare.
“At this level Ken Jenkins has been hiding the reality about Playland since November, so how can we imagine something he says on this or every other matter?” GOP candidate Christine Sculti instructed The Publish in an announcement.
“Playland survived the Nice Despair, World Conflict II, and COVID, however it might not make it previous Ken Jenkins’ ineptitude and obfuscation.”
Jenkins, throughout a press convention final Monday, pushed again towards Normal’s claims, arguing Westchester had poured almost $150 million for park upgrades whereas Normal had screwed up the park. He stated the 2 sides had conversations about negotiating a path to breaking the deal in November, nevertheless it went nowhere.
“The underside line is that this: Normal Amusements was shedding cash,” Jenkins stated in an announcement.
“They couldn’t make Playland work, and now they’re attempting to put the blame on the County for his or her failure,” he added, noting the huge quantity of funds directed to improve the park.
He stated he anticipates the 2 sides will undertake a “very advanced authorized battle” within the coming months.
Arbitration is anticipated wherein the county will argue Normal defaulted on the contract and consequently, Westchester doesn’t must fork over a portion of the tens of millions of {dollars} in damages the corporate is searching for, in response to The Journal Information.
A county spokesperson beforehand argued that in the course of the three years Normal was in cost there numerous administration points together with quite a few rides have been closed and there wasn’t sufficient staffing.
Jenkins didn’t clarify final Monday subsequent steps for the county to get the park open and whether or not it might be run by Westchester authorities or if one other non-public firm would run the grounds.
Normal questioned if the park can be open on time this yr.
“As for the way forward for Playland, the outlook is unsure and deeply regarding. We would like the park to have a profitable season in 2025 and past,” Normal acknowledged.
“…It isn’t obvious to us how the County, after squandering the months we’ve afforded them, can be able to open Playland for the beginning of the season.”
Dangerous blood between Normal and Westchester has been obvious for years with the county spending roughly $10 million in authorized charges as they tried to get out of the deal.
Because the deal soured it was additionally revealed that the county had quietly doled out a contract to assist safe a brand new journey in 2019 to Jenkins’ former marketing campaign supervisor Joe Montalto — who beforehand ran the park and had labored with Central Amusement Worldwide, the corporate that completed as a runnerup to Normal within the bidding.
Playland first opened in 1928 and is designated a Nationwide Historic Landmark. The park is recognizable as a movie location, most notably the Tom Hanks’ film “Huge.” The park’s boardwalk was the setting of a climactic scene with a fortune-telling machine and a scene the place Hanks and love curiosity Elizabeth Perkins share a dance.
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