Letter to Doug Lamont, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army Corp of Engineers, Commander Asbery - Review and Approve Proposal so Legoland can Turn Vacant Property in Orange Count into a Family Theme Park Destination

Letter

Dear Acting Assistant Secretary Doug Lamont and Commander Asbery:

I write to urge you to promptly review and if appropriate issue the necessary wetland permits for the Goshen, NY site where Merlin Entertainments proposes to construct the LEGOLAND New York theme park and hotel. The company plans to turn the property, located in Orange County, into a regional attraction and family entertainment destination that is expected to employ hundreds of local residents. But before construction can begin, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must conduct a review and issue the necessary wetland permits for the site.

LEGOLAND New York will be Merlin Entertainments' third park in North America and, according to company statements, represents an investment of $350 million by opening day in 2020 and $500 million by year five. The complex will include a seasonal LEGO-themed park as well as an all year round 250-bedroom LEGO-themed hotel. In 2016, Merlin Entertainment announced plans to develop 150 acres of the 500-acre site in Goshen. The application indicates the company will preserve another 150 acres through a conservation easement. The proposed park is within an hour and a half of Manhattan and less than three hours from Boston and Philadelphia.

The proposed LEGOLAND New York has the potential to create economic benefit to Orange County and the Town of Goshen. Merlin Entertainment has indicated the development is expected to generate more than 500 permanent full-time jobs, 500 seasonal jobs, 300-part-time jobs and an additional 800 construction jobs. As reported by KMPG for the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), a proposed Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement would generate an estimated $87 million in payments and property taxes for the Goshen Central School District, the Town of Goshen, and Orange County over the next 30-years. In addition, LEGOLAND New York has offered to pay the Town of Goshen a host community fee for every visitor to the Park -- for each visitor up to 2 million the LEGOLAND New York would pay the Town of Goshen 65 cents per visitor and 20 cents for each visitor thereafter with no cap. The Town of Goshen alone is anticipated to receive approximately $71 million in revenue from the host community fee, PILOT payments, and tax payments.

The LEGOLAND New York site development project has cleared several key hurdles, including the release of the New York State Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and support from the Town of Goshen Planning Board, Orange County, and New York State. The company plans to open the park in 2020. While it's important to do a thorough and meaningful review to ensure the project will not adversely impact the environment it's also critical that if appropriate the wetland permits are issued swiftly in order to keep this project on track. As you know, this documentation is needed before construction can begin and so I request that you move quickly to process these permits.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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