Astorino delivers State of County

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino delivered his 2015 State of the County address Wednesday. The Republican announced a "long-overdue" facelift for Rye Playland. The troubled amusement park

News 12 Staff

Apr 23, 2015, 6:22 AM

Updated 3,305 days ago

Share:

Astorino delivers State of County
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino delivered his 2015 State of the County address Wednesday.
The Republican announced a "long-overdue" facelift for Rye Playland. The troubled amusement park that has been on a financial roller coaster for years. He says that he has found the right management company to restore the 87-year-old park, and that Standard Amusements will also introduce new rides and concessions.
It's a deal Astorino says would infuse cash into the county's coffers.
Under the five-year, $25 million agreement, Standard Amusements will pay the county more than $2 million upfront, $300,000 more annually, and 7.5 percent of profits once they recoup their initial investment.
Astorino says it won't cost taxpayers anything, but the Board of Legislators must approve the plan.
The executive avoided a county tax increase, something that has become a trend in recent years. Astorino says that while the county is not broke, there is not a penny to spare.
Astorino also announced his plan to lure businesses into the county and away from Manhattan. He plans to open an office across from Grand Central Terminal to promote Westchester's competitive advantages.
Former New York Knicks star Allan Houston was in attendance at the address, promoting the county's partnership with the Knicks that brought the team's development league team to the Westchester County Center.
The Democratic response to the address was delivered by Westchester County Board Chairman Michael Kaplowitz. He spoke about what he and the board have accomplished due to their bipartisanship and cooperation with Astorino.


More from News 12
1:39
Large police presence descends at busy New Rochelle intersection

Large police presence descends at busy New Rochelle intersection

2:40
Spotty showers throughout Saturday in the Hudson Valley; scattered showers for first half of Mother's Day

Spotty showers throughout Saturday in the Hudson Valley; scattered showers for first half of Mother's Day

2:28
Mount Vernon officials: 2 teens injured in separate stabbings

Mount Vernon officials: 2 teens injured in separate stabbings

0:32
Authorities: Dutchess County drug dealer caught for 2nd time selling narcotics

Authorities: Dutchess County drug dealer caught for 2nd time selling narcotics

0:29
Flock of ducks rescued from rooftop in Yonkers

Flock of ducks rescued from rooftop in Yonkers

0:34
Metro-North upgrades at Croton-on-Hudson complete

Metro-North upgrades at Croton-on-Hudson complete

0:24
7 Kohl's in Hudson Valley to open Babies 'R' Us locations. See list of stores

7 Kohl's in Hudson Valley to open Babies 'R' Us locations. See list of stores

0:53
Beloved Yonkers park reopens with a new look

Beloved Yonkers park reopens with a new look

1:44
Fares on Cross-Hudson ferries and buses to be slashed for Orange and Rockland residents to as low as $1 per ride

Fares on Cross-Hudson ferries and buses to be slashed for Orange and Rockland residents to as low as $1 per ride

0:30
Police ID victim killed in Yellow Freight property crash as Tennessee man

Police ID victim killed in Yellow Freight property crash as Tennessee man

1:43
Lawsuit filed against FedEx, its former driver for Dutchess County rape of underage girl inside FedEx truck

Lawsuit filed against FedEx, its former driver for Dutchess County rape of underage girl inside FedEx truck

0:31
Marine from Westchester seriously injured in Orange County crash

Marine from Westchester seriously injured in Orange County crash

0:57
Volunteer group of nurses pay tribute to colleagues with creation of Hudson Valley Nurses Honor Guard

Volunteer group of nurses pay tribute to colleagues with creation of Hudson Valley Nurses Honor Guard

1:17
16-year-old charged with 2nd-degree assault in stabbing at Mount Vernon HS

16-year-old charged with 2nd-degree assault in stabbing at Mount Vernon HS

0:36
Garnerville man accused of killing teen in hit-and-run offered 1 to 3 years in prison: Rockland County DA

Garnerville man accused of killing teen in hit-and-run offered 1 to 3 years in prison: Rockland County DA

0:20
$33M in funding being allocated to Dutchess, Ulster and Rockland counties to create new transitional, emergency housing

$33M in funding being allocated to Dutchess, Ulster and Rockland counties to create new transitional, emergency housing

1:02
Headlines: Man faces child endangerment charges, fatal accident, victim ID’d in fatal fire

Headlines: Man faces child endangerment charges, fatal accident, victim ID’d in fatal fire

0:24
Day-old abandoned kittens found in milk carton in need of foster homes

Day-old abandoned kittens found in milk carton in need of foster homes

0:20
Jet Blue to fly to Puerto Rico from Westchester County Airport come fall

Jet Blue to fly to Puerto Rico from Westchester County Airport come fall

1:30
Former discount shopping hotspot Playtog's Plaza to be reinvented

Former discount shopping hotspot Playtog's Plaza to be reinvented