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Updated 03/10/2010 06:00 PM

City, State Reach Deal To Finance Brooklyn Bridge Park

By: NY1 News

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A deal has been reached to finish building Brooklyn Bridge Park, the city announced today.

Under the plan developed by city and state officials, the city will take the reins of the project, with the state retaining influence over the final makeup of the park.

The city will provide an additional $55 million needed to finish the project. Those funds had been earmarked for the rebuilding of the Javits Center.

The city has already committed $139 million to the park project.

A not-for-profit corporation, appointed by city and state officials, has been formed in order to manage the development and operation of the park.

A small part of the 85-acre Brooklyn site is already open, but completion has been delayed, in part due to financing concerns. To deal with those, city officials have agreed to consider new revenue proposals like a pool and skating rink.

Local lawmakers will have controls over new housing built around the park, which has been one of the foremost ideas for funding the park.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the deal will move the project forward without burdening the city.

"We're not taking money we don't have and we're not obligating ourselves for new expenses down the road,” said the mayor. “But we are going to have a new spectacular park."

The deal still has to be approved by the State Public Authorities Control Board.