August 2, 2006

Jacobs and Nassau Lawmakers Approve Open Space Contracts

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (Woodbury), joined by her fellow Nassau lawmakers, this week approved six contracts for the acquisition of a total of 108 acres of valuable open space in Nassau County. The Legislators also approved a $32.75 million bond ordinance which will fund the purchase of the six properties.

The approved properties are:

Red Springs Woods in Glen Cove, 9 acres—purchased for $4 million

Parkway Drive in Baldwin Harbor, 3 acres—purchased for $4 million

Two parcels at the Boegner Estate in Old Westbury, 35 acres—purchased for $4.5 million, and 12 acres—purchased for $1.6 million

Northwood Estate in Oyster Bay Cove, 33 acres—purchased for $11 million

Pulling Estate in Oyster Bay Cove, 16 acres—purchased for $6.5 million

A seventh property, Meyers Farm in Woodbury which is 8 acres, is still being negotiated and was not up for approval.

“Over 200 acres of prime open space targeted for preservation have already been lost to developers, and time is ticking away for some of Nassau County’s most prime remaining parcels of open space” said Presiding Officer Jacobs. “I am very pleased that we were able to take action to preserve some of the last remaining parcels of open space in Nassau County.”

The six land parcels were part of 14 proposed land acquisitions put forth by the Environmental Bond Advisory Committee under the 2004 Nassau County Open Space Bond Act.

Nassau County voters approved a $50 million Open Space Bond Act in 2004 by an overwhelming 77 percent of the vote. An Advisory Committee was appointed by County Executive Thomas Suozzi to recommend a list of properties and/or projects on which to spend the funds, including acquisition of open space; brownfield remediation; storm water improvement projects; and parks improvements. The committee then selected a number of properties and projects for each program category after reviewing all nominations. The Committee issued its recommendation in March 2006. The legislation called for a 60-day review by the Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee (OSPAC) and the Nassau County Planning Commission before presentation to the County Legislature. The County Executive has still to submit contracts for agreements on the parks, brownfields, and storm water improvement projects. Once received, the legislature will vote on those projects as well as the remaining funding for the projects.