Section 21-C. Passenger stations of railroad redevelopment corporations in certain cities

1. Each city having a  population  of  more  than  one
  million  may  from  time  to time contract with a railroad redevelopment
  corporation providing passenger service by rail to or from any passenger
  station  within  such  city  and  currently  certified  by   the   state
  commissioner  of  transportation  as  eligible to receive the exemptions
  provided by title two-b of the real property tax law to  reimburse  such
  corporation for all or part of the costs incurred by it in the operation
  and  maintenance  of  one  or  more  such stations, owned or used by it,
  including the buildings, appurtenances, platforms, land  and  approaches
  incidental  or  adjacent  thereto, provided, however, that such contract
  shall contain provisions pursuant to which:
    a. The corporation agrees  for  the  term  of  such  contract  not  to
  discontinue  all  passenger  or  all  freight  service,  or petition any
  regulatory agency having jurisdiction in respect thereof for  permission
  to  discontinue  all  passenger  or all freight service, to or from such
  stations without the consent of such city;
    b. The corporation agrees for the term of such  contract  to  continue
  the  operation  and  maintenance of such existing facilities or portions
  thereof as may be required in  the  public  interest  for  the  sale  of
  passenger  tickets  and the handling of baggage mail and freight at such
  stations;
    c. The corporation shall use the portions of any  such  station  which
  are  not  required  for  the  sale of passenger tickets, the handling of
  baggage, mail and freight or its railroad operations for public purposes
  or for uses generally  available  to  or  serving  the  general  public,
  including  but  not  limited  to  access  to  the  railroad  and related
  services, facilities for the convenience  and  comfort  of  the  general
  public,  the  parking of vehicles, public assembly, recreation, cultural
  activities,  shelter,  and  terminal  facilities  for  other  modes   of
  transportation; and
    d.  Such  contract  shall  expire not later than the first day of July
  next succeeding its effective date.
    Any contract made pursuant to this  section  may  contain  such  other
  terms  and  conditions, not inconsistent with the foregoing, as the city
  and the corporation may agree.
    2. Reimbursement of the costs of maintenance  and  operation  of  such
  stations,  and  reimbursement  of  any part thereof, are hereby declared
  city purposes and the cost thereof shall be a city  charge  to  be  paid
  from  city  funds  annually  appropriated,  raised and expended for city
  purposes in the manner provided by law.
    3. Any contract made pursuant to this section shall be  authorized  by
  the  board  of estimate of such city by resolution and shall require the
  separate approval of the mayor of such  city.  Such  resolution  may  be
  amended from time to time.
    4.  Each  city entering into a contract pursuant to this section shall
  file a copy thereof within ten days of its execution with  the  director
  of the state office of transportation.