The city's Franchise and Concession Review Committee is scheduled to vote this coming week on whether or not to approve a proposal to have twenty Manhattan private schools pay for part of the renovation of Randall's Island athletic fields in return for exclusive use of a majority of the fields. The plan, which is separate from the controversial water park, calls for schools such as Dalton and Spence to pay the city $52 million dollars over twenty years. The city would kick in an additional $18 million for the fields, and $53 million for island infrastructure. In return for the payment the schools would get exclusive 3-6 p.m. use of at least two-thirds of the 63 playing fields.
Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said the private schools already have exclusive use of 34 of the 36 existing fields, and that the private school money would actually provide more playing fields for others.
Opponents, who include Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, city Comptroller William Thompson, City Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito in whose district the island lies, parks advocates, parents and residents of East Harlem and the South Bronx object to the deal, saying it literally amounts to an unfair pay-for-play policy for public parks. Mayor Bloomberg's appointees control the committee so the proposal is expected to pass.
And, did you know that a hybrid wind, solar and tidal-energy power plant is planned for the island?
Vintage postcard view of Randall's Island and the Triborough Bridge from Bridgepix on Flickr.
