Overview
Title
An Act To designate Holcombe Rucker Park, in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
This bill is about giving Holcombe Rucker Park in New York a special title to help everyone remember its importance, but it won't change who owns or runs the park. Basically, the park will get cool things like signs and displays to tell its story, but New York City still gets to be in charge of it.
Summary AI
H. R. 6852 designates Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, as the "Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site." The bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to create cooperative agreements with public or private entities to promote educational and interpretive materials related to the site, such as plaques or exhibits. However, the park will not become part of the National Park System, and the local administration of New York City retains control over the site; the bill does not allow the federal government to acquire land through condemnation or interfere with property rights or local zoning laws.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
The bill H. R. 6852, titled the "Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site Act," proposes to designate Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site. While a National Commemorative Site, the park will not become a unit of the National Park System. The goal is to recognize the park's historical significance, particularly in relation to the development of basketball and the achievements of Holcombe Rucker. To achieve this, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with public or private entities for educational and interpretive purposes at the site. The bill explicitly states that this designation will not affect private property rights or local land use regulations.
Significant Issues
Several concerns arise from this bill. Primarily, the bill does not include specific funding details or limits for the activities associated with the site's designation. This omission could lead to concerns about potential financial mismanagement. Additionally, the clause allowing for cooperative agreements lacks specific terms, potentially leading to issues with fairness and transparency. The bill also exhibits ambiguity in defining what constitutes an appropriate "interpretive exhibit" or marker, which could lead to inconsistent practices. Furthermore, the process by which consent from the site owner is obtained is not clearly outlined, posing possible administrative complications.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the designation of Holcombe Rucker Park as a National Commemorative Site could enhance community pride and increase tourism in Harlem, potentially boosting local economic activity. The park's historical significance, especially in the world of basketball, may become more widely recognized and appreciated. However, without a clear budget or financial plan, there is a risk that public funds could be inefficiently used.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For local stakeholders, such as the residents of Harlem and New York City's government, the act could have both positive and negative effects. Positively, it may attract more visitors and promote awareness of the park's cultural importance. However, without clear guidelines and competitive processes for cooperative agreements, there is potential for uneven distribution of resources or favoritism toward certain entities. Park administrators might also face challenges if consent from the site owner is not obtained or if the designated uses of the space are contested.
In conclusion, while the act has the potential to celebrate and preserve cultural history, careful consideration must be given to its implementation to avoid administrative and financial pitfalls. Ensuring transparency and clarity in its provisions would likely benefit all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The bill does not specify any funding obligations or limits for the activities related to the designation of Holcombe Rucker Park as a National Commemorative Site, potentially leading to concerns about wasteful spending if no budget is defined. (Section 2(b))
The clause allowing for cooperative agreements with public or private entities, including local authorities, lacks specific terms or competitive processes, which could potentially favor certain entities unfairly. (Section 2(b)(1))
The language describing 'cooperative agreements' and 'interpretive and educational purposes' is vague and lacks specific details on the nature, scope, or financial responsibilities of such agreements, leading to possible administrative ambiguities. (Section 2(b)(1))
The phrase 'interpretive exhibit, or other marker' is overly broad, allowing for varied interpretations that could result in inconsistent applications of the law. (Section 2(b)(1))
The section does not outline a clear recourse if consent is not provided by the owner of the Commemorative Site, which may present challenges in the administration and implementation of the Act. (Section 2(b)(1))
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this act states that it can be referred to as the "Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site Act".
2. National Commemorative Site Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, is recognized as a National Commemorative Site to honor its history in basketball, but it won't be part of the National Park System. The Secretary of the Interior can make agreements for educational purposes at the site, but the park's management won't change, and no private property rights will be interfered with.