Section 1904. Purpose and powers of authority

The purpose of the authority
  shall be the development, restoration, reconstruction and interpretation
  of sites of historic  significance  in  the  city.  To  carry  out  said
  purposes, the authority shall have power:
    1.  To  appoint  officers,  agents  and  employees, to prescribe their
  qualifications and to fix their compensation subject,  however,  to  the
  provision of the civil service law.
    2. To sue and be sued;
    3. To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;
    4. To acquire, hold and dispose of personal property for its corporate
  purposes,  including  the  power  to  purchase  prospective or tentative
  awards in connection with the condemnation of real property;
    5. To acquire, in the name of the city or the authority,  by  purchase
  or  condemnation  real property or rights or easements therein necessary
  or convenient for its corporate purposes, and, except as  may  otherwise
  be  provided  herein, to use the same so long as its corporate existence
  shall continue;
    6. To make by-laws for the management and regulation of  its  affairs,
  and,  subject  to agreements with bondholders, for the regulation of the
  project;
    7. With the  consent  of  the  city  to  use  agents,  employees,  and
  facilities of the city, including the corporation counsel, paying to the
  city its agreed proportion of the compensation or costs;
    8.  To  make  contracts  and  leases,  and  to execute all instruments
  necessary or convenient;
    9.  To  construct  such  buildings,  structures,  parking  and   other
  facilities as may be necessary or convenient;
    10. To reconstruct, improve, maintain and operate the project;
    11.  To  accept grants, loans or contributions from the United States,
  the state of New York, or any agency or  instrumentality  of  either  of
  them,   or  the  city  of  Rome  or  any  privately  endowed  foundation
  organization or individual, including grants, loans or contributions  of
  real  or  personal property, and to expend the proceeds for any purposes
  of the authority:
    12. To fix and collect rentals, fees and other charges for the use  of
  the  project  subject  to  and  in  accordance with such agreements with
  bondholders as may be made as hereinafter provided;
    13. To contract for the services of  architects,  engineers,  lawyers,
  financial and other professional advisors and to fix their compensation;
    14.  To  construct,  operate and maintain the project; to contract for
  the construction, operation or maintenance of any part  thereof  or  for
  services to be performed in connection therewith; to rent parts thereof,
  and  grant  concessions,  all  on  such  terms  and conditions as it may
  determine; provided, however, that the  location  of  the  site  of  the
  project  and the plans thereof shall be subject to the prior approval of
  the city planning commission and the board of estimate of the city.