Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Elected officials remain committed to protecting Goodhue as parkland
Working to acquire property for North Shore Greenbelt
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Due to confusion over the status of the Goodhue Center site in New Brighton, Borough President James P. Molinaro today assured area residents that he, Congressman Michael McMahon and Councilman Ken Mitchell are committed to acquiring the property for public parkland and a new addition to the “North Shore Greenbelt.”
“Staten Islanders concerned about the fate of the Goodhue Center can rest assured that Congressman McMahon, Councilman Mitchell and I are continuing to move forward with the acquisition of the Goodhue property for public parkland,” said Molinaro. “We all oppose the property being sold to developers and support its protection as a natural area.
“Several years ago, Goodhue announced it would need to sell portions of its property, and to its credit, decided to work with elected officials on an acquisition plan so that the property would be preserved,” Molinaro added.
Congressman McMahon said, “I began this undertaking during my tenure in the City Council and pledge to continue advocating for this as your Congressman. I remain confident that Borough President Molinaro, Councilman Mitchell, and I will collaborate to secure funding that preserves this beautiful site for the community for years to come.”
Councilman Ken Mitchell said, “I stand committed with Congressman McMahon and Borough President Molinaro to preserve Goodhue for parkland and am completely opposed to any portion of the property being sold to developers for the construction of homes.”
The sale of 35 of its 42 acres would allow Goodhue to build new facilities on the remaining seven acres and continue to operate its summer camp, afterschool programs and counseling services.
The Borough President allocated $3 million from his capital budget to supplement $6 million secured by then-City Councilman McMahon. Last week, Congressman McMahon announced that he has submitted an earmark to secure an additional $5 million to the City Parks Department towards the purchase price, which is estimated at $30 million.
“Congressman McMahon won’t know until next month or June whether he’ll be able to secure this $5 million earmark request,” said Molinaro. “In the meantime, the Parks Department has plenty of capital dollars. Let them help make up the difference.
“I added the site to the State Open Space Acquisition List to underscore the importance of this property for preservation,” Molinaro said. “Our aim from Day One was to create a North Shore Greenbelt, and the Goodhue property could one day provide a vital link that begins with Skyline Park and ends at Snug Harbor. That’s a fine legacy to leave our children and grandchildren.”
The Children’s Aid Society Goodhue Center has been providing services to the Staten Island community since 1912. The Center’s beautiful facility, consisting up of woodlands, ballfields, outdoor pool, pond, gymnasium, and computer Learning Center, provides a perfect setting for the many recreational, educational and mental health services offered, which include afterschool, summer day camp, teen, tutoring, nature, sports and school vacation programs.
April 14, 2009