City begins negotiations with Sanford Golf Design for new 18-hole course

According to mayor Michael Bloomberg and city comptroller William Thompson, Jr., the city has entered into negotiations with Sanford Golf Design for the contract for the design and construction management of a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course at Ferry Point Park. Sanford Golf Design submitted the top-scoring proposal in an open procurement competition to choose a designer and construction manager. The golf course, to be an 18-hole, links-style layout for use as a public course, will be built as a city-funded capital project. Once the construction work is underway, the city will release a separate request for proposals (RFP) for an operator to run the golf course as a concession and to make some capital investment, such as the construction of a clubhouse and restaurant. The city estimates that the course could be built by the fall of 2010. "The selection of Sanford Golf Design for negotiations to turn a former landfill into a world class golf course is encouraging progress for Ferry Point Park," said mayor Bloomberg. "The city is another step closer to hiring the team that will design and construct the course on top of the foundation already in place, eventually creating another world-class amenity for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. A links course in the Bronx will be a great addition to the public parkland courses already in place." "Today's announcement shows that the city is moving swiftly to bring a world-class recreational facility to the Northeast Bronx," said comptroller Thompson. "I applaud the mayor, his staff and the city for its diligence and hard work to move this project ahead. While I have in the past expressed concerns about delays, I am pleased that the city recognizes that it is in the interest of all New Yorkers to quickly move forward to ensure that the goal of turning this former municipal landfill into an attractive recreational destination is accomplished. My hope is that in the near future, all can benefit from not just a golf course but a waterfront community park and playground." Ferry Point Park, a discontinued landfill, is near the Whitestone Bridge and bounded by the Hutchinson River Parkway, the East River, Schley Ave., Emerson Ave. and Balcom Ave. The discontinued landfill is being developed under the conditions of a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation permit. The site features views of the East River, Manhattan skyline, and of the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges. In addition to the golf course, Ferry Point will include two parks currently being designed with community input. A new 7-acre community park will include a Little League and a junior baseball field, basketball courts, a play area for children and a pedestrian trail. Construction on the community park is expected to begin in the summer of 2008 and be completed in the fall of 2009. A separate 20-acre waterfront promenade will convert undeveloped parkland into a waterfront park with views of the Long Island Sound, paths with seating, educational signage and access to the water.