Timeline: Playland and Standard Amusements Agreement

 Timeline: Playland and Standard Amusements Agreement

October 2009

  • Rob Astorino campaigns for Westchester County Executive on a platform to privatize Playland and reduce taxpayer costs.

April 2010

  • Westchester issues an RFP (Request for Proposals) to find an operator for Playland.

July 2010

  • Save the Sound files a lawsuit against the County for not properly assessing Playland’s environmental impact.

October 2010

  • Astorino announces 12 groups submitted proposals to run the park.

July 2011

  • The County narrows the field to 4 proposals.

October 2012

  • Sustainable Playland Inc. (SPI), a nonprofit, is selected as the winning bidder to manage the park.

August 2014

  • SPI withdraws from the deal after facing opposition from legislators, Rye residents, and local groups.

2015

Summer

  • Standard Amusements is selected as the new manager of Rye Playland. The firm is backed by a hedge fund and led by Harrison native Nicholas Singer.

September

  • Opt-out clause extended: Standard raises concerns about aging infrastructure.
  • County Executive Rob Astorino gives them until March 31, 2016, to finalize the deal.
  • In exchange, Standard pays the County $25,000.
  • Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously approves the extension (15–0).
  • Standard prepares a list of capital needs and has paid $500,000 of a $2.25 million commitment.

 2016

February

  • Astorino proposes a $58 million capital improvement plan—nearly triple what legislators expected.
  • Lawmakers call the plan an "unvetted wish list."
  • Scope includes:
    • $9.9M for parking lot
    • $4M for redesigning the fountain plaza and removing the pool
    • Rehab of colonnade, buildings, and admin areas
  • Standard increases its investment from $22.75M to $30M.

May

  • Legislators approve a 30-year agreement (13–4 vote) with Standard Amusements:
    • County commits $32M to infrastructure restoration.
    • Standard commits $27.5M in private investment.
    • Annual payments to County start at $300,000 and increase over time.
    • County to receive up to 12% of park profits.
    • Standard can use County employees with reimbursement.
    • The Playland pool’s fate remains undecided.

2018

May

  • McDonald/Nonna Playland Report
    • Then Westchester County Executive George Latimer commissioned Director of Operations Joan McDonald and County Attorney John Nonna to review the County’s contract with Standard Amusements, the private company slated to manage Playland Park. Their report, prompted by public and legislative concern, found serious financial and legal flaws in the agreement that put taxpayers at risk and provide little return for the County.
    • Key Findings:
      • Astorino Administration granted five payment extensions and made material contract changes without approval from the Board of Legislators. This included allowing Standard Amusements to delay its $3 million ride investment until the County invested $30 million.
      • Renovation needs at Playland were originally pegged at $75 million but are now estimated at $125 million.
      • The County is contributing significantly more capital than Standard Amusements, without receiving proportional benefits.
      • The County won’t see profit sharing for at least 11 years.
      • Standard Amusements projects unrealistic growth—doubling attendance from 505,000 to 1 million by 2020.
      • Only $1 million of $2.25 million in required initial payments has been made. 

2019

April

  • County Executive George Latimer in State of the County Announces that a new ride is coming to Playland.

May

  • Then County Executive George Latimer moves to terminate the contract, citing Standard’s financial issues and unmet obligations.
  • Standard files for Bankruptcy to prevent the termination

June

  • Playland unveils its first new ride since 2008: Disk’O 24, a spinning, U-shaped ride by Zamperla.
    • Cost: $305,000; installation covered by Zamperla.
    • Naming contest held, judged by County camp children.
    • Contract includes five operating seasons, two-year warranty, and option to renew for five more years.

July

  • A bankruptcy judge denies the County’s motion to dismiss the bankruptcy, allowing Standard’s case to proceed. The judge urges the County to renegotiate the contract as the judge is not inclined to allow the County to terminate.

2021

 

July

  • New terms are agreed upon, reviving the public-private partnership between Standard and the County.

2025: Contract Termination and County Reassumes Control

January 21, 2025

  • Standard Amusements notifies Westchester County it is terminating the management agreement, alleging the County failed to meet construction obligations.

January 22, 2025

  • The County rejects Standard’s termination notice as invalid, asserting that Standard breached the agreement.

February 6, 2025

  • Westchester County initiates arbitration against Standard Amusements for wrongful termination.
  • The County begins transitioning Playland’s management back to County control.

April 2025

  • The County faces liabilities of up to $36 million due to the dispute.
  • Plans are underway to open Playland for the 2025 season under County management.
  • Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commissioner Kathy O’Connor issues an Emergency Order in an effort to expedite the opening of Playland Amusement Park for the 2025 operating season. Parks selects Zamperla, Inc. to carry out the necessary emergency work.