WHITE PLAINS – The deal struck by the former Westchester County administration to hire Standard Amusements to operate the county’s Playland amusement park in Rye should be reevaluated, a review of the current contract concludes.
The review by County Director of Operations Joan McDonald and County Attorney John Nonna found “this poorly negotiated deal has this county footing the bills for improvements, salaries, fringe benefits and more,” said County Executive George Latimer.
“We have a contract in place and I think John Nonna said whether or not we renegotiate the contract; whether we terminate the contract, were we to feel that we needed to accept the contract as is, those are the options before us. Those are options that the Board of Legislators and the executive branch will work together toward and now, through you (media), the people of Westchester will have a say as well,” he said.
The report found that Playland will need $125 million worth of renovations,
which could cost the county $65 million to $95 million extra to complete;
and that the 30 county employees at Playland would have their salaries
fully covered by Standard Amusements, but the county would have to pick
up 70 percent of their fringe benefits.
The report also said Standard Amusements claims it spent some $4 million of the $27.5 million they are required to spend. The county wants an audit of expenses to date and the company has yet to produce that document.
DPW makes way for new tree at Waryas Park
September 27, 2024
