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Agency Testimony

Alderson explains challenges of acquiring private land and new ULURP approach

New York City Council · Jul 22, 2026 · starts 0:06:23 · 1 min 40 sec

Alderson discusses challenges to acquiring private open space, including limited vacant land and property owners unable to wait through the ULURP process. She explains the new approach of getting ULURP approval in advance for an underserved district so the city can act quickly when a willing seller emerges. She notes 85% of NYC residents are served but over a million remain unserved, including 26,000 in CD2.

Colleen Alderson

That being said, we face many challenges to acquiring private open space to create new urban parks.

Colleen Alderson

There's limited vacant available land, and the property owners are typically not able to wait the duration for the ULERP process to proceed through its important course.

Colleen Alderson

And so therefore, we've envisioned a new idea to get the ULERP approval in hand for an underserved district.

Colleen Alderson

And so the ULERP process is in place so that if there is an opportunity for a given piece of property, a willing seller, we're past the ULERP phase and can immediately work on the acquisition part of the process to realize a new park.

Colleen Alderson

And I'll just say that, you know, for the walk to park.

Colleen Alderson

We currently are almost at 85% of New York City residents served, which sounds pretty

Colleen Alderson

good, but there's still over a million people that are unserved, such as about 26,000 people in Community District 2 in Queens.

Colleen Alderson

So the next slide.

Colleen Alderson

So we believe this new idea to have a ULERP selecting a given amount of private property will give the city an opportunity to realize new parks should there be a willing seller.

Colleen Alderson

So we also believe this will create awareness to property owners that the city is interested in pursuing a new public park site.

Colleen Alderson

And with this, as I said, with the ULIP approval in hand, it's easier for the city to work more efficiently and carry out the acquisition process.

Colleen Alderson

Next slide.