DEP Postmaster 04/24/03 02:24PM
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
03/61) TRENTON - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today terminated the Liberty
State Park Development Corporation (LSPDC) and announced a new policy
directive to further establish Liberty State Park as a premiere, highly
accessible urban open space.
"I have shared the public's concern that conflicts between the
Corporation and park stewards have hampered progress in achieving our
goals for the park," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "While
the Corporation has played a useful role, and I applaud the commitment
of the Corporation's board members, this change is overdue."
In 1986, the DEP and the Development Corporation entered into an
agreement to promote public-private partnerships toward the development
of facilities in Liberty State Park, including a marina, Liberty Science
Center, Hudson River Walkway, and parking areas. However, in recent
years, numerous LSPDC proposals have generated significant controversy
among citizens concerned about the park.
Responding to citizen concerns and in light of its future vision for
Liberty State Park, the McGreevey Administration has announced a new
policy directive that calls for the termination of the LSPDC and the
establishment of an expanded public advisory committee to include
adequate representation by Jersey City residents, residents statewide,
and other park constituencies. A copy of the policy directive is
attached.
"On numerous occasions the public has voiced their desire to maintain
the remaining undeveloped land within Liberty State Park as open space.
The state's plan for the park's future will better serve residents'
needs for places to recreate and enjoy New Jersey's outdoors," added
Commissioner Campbell.
In consultation with the public advisory committee, the DEP will focus
on four priorities for Liberty State Park, including: the acceleration
of the park's interior restoration; the expansion and improvement of
opportunities for active recreation to better serve Jersey City and
other local residents; the improvement of transportation for and access
to the park, as well as the reduction of parking and transit impacts;
and the development of a memorandum of understanding with the New Jersey
Symphony Orchestra to explore cultural events at the park and
non-commercial entertainment.
With the termination of the agreement between the DEP and Development
Corporation, all leases and subleases, including that of the marina,
parking facilities and the Liberty Science Center and Hall of
Technology, will be assigned to the DEP by June 30, 2003.
As a result of its dissolution, the Development Corporation will no
longer receive $110,000 a year from funds generated through Liberty
State Park's parking fees. All revenues generated through parking fees
will now go directly to the State of New Jersey and will be applied
toward debt service payments of bonds for park improvements.
In April 2002, Commissioner Campbell issued a Notice of Default to the
LSPDC, arising from concerns about mismanagement of park operations and
finances. All issues raised under the notice have been resolved.
Working closely with park constituencies, the Department of
Environmental Protection has spent more than 25 years since the park's
acquisition planning for and building a park infrastructure that is
suitable for public recreation, interpretation and education.