The supervisor of an iconic amusement park featured within the film “Big” accused Westchester County of violating their contract – and now taxpayers could need to fork over as much as $57 million.
The personal firm working Playland Park in Rye is backing out of its 30-year deal to run the waterfront, Artwork Deco park, setting off a authorized battle that critics concern may delay the seasonal vacation spot’s opening this spring.
Customary Amusement informed Westchester County authorities officers final month it was opting out of working the sprawling property that boasts the historic Dragon Coaster and different rides as a result of the county — which owns the park — dragged its toes to complete building tasks baked into their contract.
“In November, we alerted the county that we were terminating our agreement, based on their complete failure to meet the construction obligations under the contract,” Customary wrote in a letter obtained by The Submit.
“By its own admission, the county has missed the contractual deadlines, despite our consistent flexibility and patience, including a blanket one-year extension on all their project deadlines.”
Customary stated it formally terminated the contract as of Jan. 21, however knowledgeable Westchester it was prepared to maneuver on final 12 months. The corporate stated it’s entitled to $57 million as a part of opting out, together with compensation of about $44 million it invested, along with curiosity charges, in keeping with The Journal Information, which first reported the breakup.
Former County Govt Rob Astorino, a Republican, had struck the cope with Customary after an prolonged bidding course of however earlier than they ever took over administration of the park a brand new administration got here into energy in 2018 and issues rapidly grew contentious. County Govt George Latimer, a Democrat and Astorino’s successor, tried to again out of the deal in a prolonged and expensive court docket battle.
Appearing County Govt Ken Jenkins, who took over after Latimer left for Congress initially of 2025, stated the plan is for the practically century-old park to open on time this Could however his opponent in a particular election this month solid doubt on that declare.
“At this point Ken Jenkins has been hiding the truth about Playland since November, so how can we believe anything he says on this or any other matter?” GOP candidate Christine Sculti informed The Submit in an announcement.
“Playland survived the Great Depression, World War II, and COVID, but it may not make it past Ken Jenkins’ ineptitude and obfuscation.”
Jenkins, throughout a press convention final Monday, pushed again towards Customary’s claims, arguing Westchester had poured practically $150 million for park upgrades whereas Customary had screwed up the park. He stated the 2 sides had conversations about negotiating a path to breaking the deal in November, however it went nowhere.
“The bottom line is this: Standard Amusements was losing money,” Jenkins stated in an announcement.
“They couldn’t make Playland work, and now they are trying to place the blame on the County for their failure,” he added, noting the large quantity of funds directed to improve the park.
He stated he anticipates the 2 sides will undertake a “very complex legal battle” within the coming months.
Arbitration is predicted during which the county will argue Customary defaulted on the contract and because of this, Westchester doesn’t have to fork over a portion of the tens of millions of {dollars} in damages the corporate is in search of, in keeping with The Journal Information.
A county spokesperson beforehand argued that through the three years Customary was in cost there numerous administration points together with quite a few rides had been closed and there wasn’t sufficient staffing.
Jenkins didn’t clarify final Monday subsequent steps for the county to get the park open and whether or not it could be run by Westchester authorities or if one other personal firm would run the grounds.
Customary questioned if the park could be open on time this 12 months.
“As for the future of Playland, the outlook is uncertain and deeply concerning. We want the park to have a successful season in 2025 and beyond,” Customary acknowledged.
“…It is not apparent to us how the County, after squandering the months we have afforded them, will be ready to open Playland for the start of the season.”
Dangerous blood between Customary and Westchester has been obvious for years with the county spending roughly $10 million in authorized charges as they tried to get out of the deal.
Because the deal soured it was additionally revealed that the county had quietly doled out a contract to assist safe a brand new trip in 2019 to Jenkins’ former marketing campaign supervisor Joe Montalto — who beforehand ran the park and had labored with Central Amusement Worldwide, the corporate that completed as a runnerup to Customary within the bidding.
Playland first opened in 1928 and is designated a Nationwide Historic Landmark. The park is recognizable as a movie location, most notably the Tom Hanks’ film “Big.” The park’s boardwalk was the setting of a climactic scene with a fortune-telling machine and a scene the place Hanks and love curiosity Elizabeth Perkins share a dance.
