Sen. Kavanagh, AM Glick, AM Niou Praise Signing of Battery Park City Authority Bill

Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66^th Assembly District Manhattan, Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, 65^th Assembly District Manhattan, and Senator Brian Kavanagh, 26^th Senate District Manhattan announced today the signing into law of legislation A.4002-A (Glick) / S.130-B (Squadron) by Governor Cuomo.  This legislation will ensure that Battery Park City residents hold at least two seats on the seven-person board of the Battery Park City Authority. 

Created in 1968, the Battery Park City Authority was tasked with overseeing the development of the new Lower West Side neighborhood of Battery Park City.  Almost 50 years later, Battery Park City is a vibrant community of over 15,000 residents.  Although the needs of the neighborhood have changed over the years, the composition of the Battery Park City Authority Board has not.  This legislation guarantees for the first time in the Battery Park City Authority’s history that the Board will be reflective of, and responsive to the needs of the local community by requiring at least two members of the Board be residents of Battery Park City.

“For the first time in this neighborhood’s history, residents of Battery Park City can be assured that their community’s needs will be represented by the Battery Park City Authority Board,” said Assemblymember Glick.  “By requiring the appointment of two community members on the seven-person board, this legislation recognizes and ensures that the importance of local representation is honored.  We have raised this important issue of representation for years.  I am grateful to all the engaged and dedicated residents for their support and advocacy.  It was a pleasure to work with Manhattan Community Board #1 and my colleagues to achieve this victory.  I am extremely gratified that the Governor has joined the Assembly and Senate to guarantee this need is being respected.  I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this common-sense and important bill into law.”

“Today we celebrate progress for Battery Park City residents,” said Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou. “Residents have fought for years to secure community voices at BPCA, and we are now a step closer towards bringing greater local representation to the Board. While this bill was a compromise after we pushed along with the community for a resident majority, I pledge to continue pushing for a greater community say in the Authority’s decision making. Thank you to Governor Cuomo, Assemblymember Glick, Senator Kavanagh, Community Board 1 and all the community advocates for helping us bring more local voices to BPCA.”

"New Yorkers deserve a voice in how their communities are governed, so I’m glad that Governor Andrew Cuomo chose today to give Battery Park City residents two seats at the table,” State Senator Brian Kavanagh said. “Over the past four decades, Battery Park City has grown from a development project into a flourishing neighborhood, and it only makes sense that the Board would evolve alongside it. This is a win for Battery Park City, a win for community representation, and a win for New York. In addition to the Governor, I’d like to thank Assemblymember Deborah Glick and former Senator Daniel Squadron for authoring and passing this important legislation, Assemblymember Niou for co-sponsoring it and advocating for its passage, and all the community activists who have worked to ensure that the Battery Park City Authority is responsive to residents.”

“CB1 and all 12,000 residents of Battery Park City applaud the Governor and all our elected representatives in the Assembly and State Senate for their commitment to democracy and the future of this vibrant neighborhood,” said Anthony Notaro, President of Manhattan Community Board #1. “Everyone has worked hard to extend the democratic process to a neighborhood that needs a direct voice in our future. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the future.”