Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Michael E. McMahon secured a $1,000,000 appropriations grant for The Children’s Aid Society’s Goodhue Center. The funding will be provided in the FY 2011 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.
“I have been working to preserve Goodhue for the past eight and a half years and this is a cause very dear to my heart,” said Rep. McMahon. “With the amount of public land constantly decreasing on our Island, it is critical that Goodhue be maintained as an open space for future generations. Further, the work the Children’s Aid Society does there is critical to the children of Staten Island and many children from the other boroughs who are right now enjoying the summer camp there. We have been debating whether or not to preserve Goodhue for far too long. I hope these federal funds will advance the discussion to that this beautiful land will be preserved once and for all.”
“The Children’s Aid Society expresses its heartfelt thanks to Congressman Michael McMahon for successfully securing $1 million in federal funds in the Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill to contribute towards the preservation of 38 acres of parkland for the people of Staten Island. Congressman McMahon has been a consistent champion of children and families and, particularly during these tough economic times, has remained firmly focused on their needs. Preserving Goodhue Center as parkland will benefit all the communities that border this beautiful area, and will help Children’s Aid Society continue to serve Staten Island for years to come,” said Richard R. Buery, Jr., President and CEO, The Children’s Aid Society.
Goodhue is a 38-acre parcel of green space on Staten Island and The Children’s Aid Society has been operating programs there for many years.
If purchased, the City of New York plans to maintain Goodhue as a public park for everyone from Staten Island and the surrounding boroughs to enjoy. If the City does not purchase the green space, The Children’s Aid Society will be forced to sell the property to developers who will not maintain the area as a green space. The entire $1 million secured by Rep. McMahon will go toward the purchase of the Goodhue lands.
As a member of the New York City Council, Rep. McMahon also secured $6 million for the purchase of Goodhue. Additional funds have been secured by Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro has secured $3 million and the New York City Parks Department.
Rep. McMahon’s announcement of these critical funds is a huge step forward in the federal appropriations process. Although the funding has passed the Appropriations subcommittee, it is still subject to negotiations between the House and Senate.
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