Overview
Title
To designate Holcombe Rucker Park, in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, might get a special title to remember its history with basketball, but it won’t become part of the big national parks, and nobody will be told what to do with their land nearby.
Summary AI
H.R. 6852 proposes to designate Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site. The bill aims to recognize the park's historical role in basketball and its contribution to the development of many talented players. It allows for cooperation between the Secretary of the Interior and local entities for educational and memorial purposes but clarifies that it will not be part of the National Park System and does not authorize interference with property rights or local zoning laws.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
This bill, proposed in the House of Representatives, aims to designate Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site. The park is renowned for its significant role in the development of basketball, serving as a training ground for many talented players. Though recognized for its historical importance, the park will not become part of the National Park System. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to create cooperative agreements with local entities for educational and interpretive purposes, such as installing plaques or exhibits. Importantly, the bill asserts that it will not interfere with existing property rights or local land use regulations.
Significant Issues
Several key issues arise from the legislation. The bill lacks clarity on funding obligations or limits, which could result in concerns about potential wasteful spending. Without a defined budget for the park’s activities, there is an uncertainty about the financial impact. The bill’s cooperative agreement aspect may raise fairness concerns, as it does not delineate clear terms or processes for engaging with public or private entities, potentially favoring certain parties. Furthermore, the language used is somewhat ambiguous, lacking detailed definitions of “interpretive and educational purposes,” which might result in varying interpretations and applications. Finally, an administrative challenge presents itself if the owner of the park does not provide consent for the proposed activities, as the bill does not specify a course of action in such cases.
Broad Public Impact
The designation of Holcombe Rucker Park as a National Commemorative Site might positively enhance public awareness and appreciation of the park’s historical significance to the sport of basketball. It could potentially boost tourism in Harlem, thereby providing an economic benefit to local businesses. However, without concrete funding guidelines, there might be concerns about resource allocation and financial transparency, potentially impacting taxpayer confidence in the effective use of public funds.
Specific Stakeholder Impact
Local authorities in New York City might benefit from the ability to oversee and implement educational projects, provided that the cooperative agreements are fair and transparent. Historical and cultural organizations interested in preserving the legacy of basketball in Harlem could be positively impacted through partnerships to develop educational exhibits or programs. Conversely, private property owners and city planners might express concerns about potential interference or additional regulations if the bill’s implementation is not clear or if it inadvertently affects existing property rights and land-use policies. Ensuring that the bill’s execution respects New York City's autonomy in managing the park is critical to maintaining stakeholder trust and cooperation.
Issues
The bill does not specify any funding obligations or limits, which might lead to concerns about potential wasteful spending if no budget is defined for the activities designated under Section 2.
The cooperative agreement clauses in Section 2 may favor local authorities or private entities without outlining clear terms or competitive processes, which could lead to transparency and fairness issues.
The language used in Section 2 regarding 'cooperative agreements' and 'interpretive and educational purposes' is vague, lacking specific details on the nature, scope, or financial responsibilities involved in such agreements, raising questions about accountability and oversight.
The phrase 'interpretive exhibit, or other marker' in Section 2 is broad, leaving room for varied interpretations of what is appropriate or necessary, which could lead to inconsistent applications and potential disputes.
Section 2 does not outline a clear recourse if consent from the owner of the Commemorative Site is not provided, potentially leading to administrative challenges and hindrances in the execution of the bill's intentions.
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.