WHITE PLAINS, NY—The drawn out and contentious effort to redevelop Rye Playland took a major dramatic turn as Westchester County has abandoned a $34-million plan proposed by Sustainable Playland Inc. to redevelop the money-losing 280-acre amusement park.

County Executive Robert Astorino announced on Wednesday the county has hired American Skating Entertainment Centers, the largest independent owner/operator of ice rinks in the United States, to operate the Ice Casino at Playland for a 10-year period. In addition, Dan Biederman, who had served as a consultant with Sustainable Playland, has been hired by Westchester County to undertake a review of the amusement park, which will include examinations of operations, factors contributing to profits and losses, and opportunities for sponsorships.

In addition, Biederman will explore strategic options for the park such as the selection of a private operator, the addition of new attractions and activities, and the development of revenue generating sponsorships. Biederman will present a list of recommendations on the best avenues to improve Playland's operations to the county in the fall.

A spokesman for the County Executive says that the decision to not move forward with the Sustainable Playland proposal “was a mutually agreed upon decision.” While the Astorino administration supported the project, the proposal did not gain sufficient traction with the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

Kim Morque, president of SPI, says in a prepared statement, “SPI is proud of the vision it put forth for Playland Park. We remain committed to a restoration and preservation plan that recognizes the park's unique and historic characteristics.”

County officials note that Sustainable Playland will continue to work with the county, but with a shift in focus. SPI will now concentrate on fund raising with a particular emphasis on ensuring money is available with respect to historic preservation and environmental conservation. The county, as it currently does, will retain full control over the operations of the entire e park.

Despite the shelving of the SPI plan, County Executive Astorino refused to term it a setback. “Everything we have learned in the last four years has pointed to the same conclusion,” Astorino says. “The long-term financial viability of Playland depends on finding ways to make the park a year-round destination. These latest moves reaffirm our approach to not only improve the amusement park, but also to create complimentary attractions that extend the season beyond the summer. The math is simple. More days and more activities mean more dollars to defray costs to taxpayers and invest in preserving the traditions of Playland.”

In 2013, Playland cost taxpayers $4.3 million ($1.3 million in operating losses and $3 million in debt service), according to Westchester County.

“The riddle for solving Playland is how do you make the park relevant in 2014 and still preserve its traditions and charms,” says Biederman, president of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures. “The answer is a combination of operational excellence, having enough money to invest in the future and a vision that positions your assets to excite patrons to want to visit the park for multiple reasons at multiple times throughout the year.”

Several county lawmakers issued statements in response to the withdrawal of the SPI proposal. Westchester County Legislator Pete Harckham, chair of the Board of Legislators' Labor, Parks, Planning & Housing Committee, states, “While the withdrawal of SPI's Playland Improvement Plan from consideration certainly represents a setback for the goal of revitalizing Playland, it does afford the Administration and new consultant an opportunity to move forward with the lessons learned from this process: the amusement park must remain the focal point; the impacts to the environment and the neighboring community must be thoroughly vetted and the numbers need to add up and be realistic.”

He adds, “In the meantime, the Board of Legislators' Committee on Labor, Parks, Housing & Planning will focus on making Playland as successful as it can be for this season. It is an iconic destination and there is no reason for people not to flock to the park this year.”

County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators' Infrastructure Committee, states, “For me, the main test of any entity seeking to operate Playland is its ability to make a success of the county's amusement park operation. It has been clear for some time the SPI lacked the expertise, the resources and the desire to do so. Therefore, I am relieved that SPI has been assigned a more appropriate role in Playland's future.”

Instant Insights /

$34M Sustainable Playland Project Withdrawn

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