NEW YORK CITY-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on Friday that will facilitate the building of United Nations facilities on public parkland on First Avenue and east 41^st Street. The move also furthers the city’s effort to close the existing gap in access to the city’s waterfront along the east side of Manhattan. 

As GlobeSt.com previously reported, a nearby pier is also being renovated, between 38^th and 41^st streets on the East River. Waterside Pier’s renovation is being funded by a $13-million lease fulfillment payment from Con Edison, which had previously leased the spot. It hadn’t been used in years, according to a Con Ed spokesman.

In combination with a Memorandum of Understanding, to be signed by October 10, 2011, Friday’s legislation was necessary to allow for the state-owned land to be built upon.

“For over 60 years the United Nations has been an important part of New York, bringing jobs, tourism and economic development to the city,” Gov. Cuomo said in a statement. “This law allows the UN to expand its facilities, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment, and helping it better serve its vital mission.”

Additional parkland will be developed “to replace the open space that will be lost,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.

The legislation also drew accolades from local elected officials.