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Playland is poised to open its 87th season on May 9, so the Westchester County Board of Legislators is eager to hear a consultant's report on who should operate it in future years.
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino hired consultant Dan Biederman last year at a cost of $100,000 to study options for private management and possible year-round uses. But with the report already four months overdue, legislators prepared subpoenas last week to force its release.
On Wednesday, Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett promised to deliver the report to legislators by April 15.
Legislators remain concerned about annual operating losses of up to $4 million, despite revenues of $14 million, according to Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, D-Somers. However, Kaplowitz told Daily Voice in a video interview the park generates another $27 million-a-year in economic activity at restaurants, gas stations, sales taxes and income taxes from those who work there.
Playland enjoyed a 20 percent increase in attendance last summer over 2013, attracting nearly 470,000 visitors -- including more people from surrounding counties like Putnam and Fairfield, Conn., according to Legislator Catherine Parker, D-Rye, and county park officials.
About $2.2 million in hourly wages are paid to hundreds of young people hired for summer employment, Kaplowitz said, adding: "The economic multiplier says you want to keep Playland going."
"It's really time for (Astorino) to help give us some recommendations,'' Kaplowitz told Daily Voice. "We'd like to close the tax levy loss. At the same time, we want to make sure it's run pro?perly."
Legislator Peter Harckham, D-North Salem, chair of the Labor, Parks, Planning and Housing Committee, said Astorino's representatives and the Parks Department agreed to meet at 9 a.m. on April 15 to discuss Playland's fate.
After Wednesday's committee meeting, Harckham said, "It is unfortunate that we will not have a private operator in place for the 2015 season, but my colleagues and I look forward to getting to work on the approval process for a new operator as soon as the County Executive presents one to us.”
* You can watch Daily Voice's video interview with Michael Kaplowitz here.
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