TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority would have no control over projects at Liberty State Park under a bill Senate President Steve Sweeney has introduced.
Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law earlier this year that overhauls several Meadowlands area planning agencies and gives authority over the park to the sports commission.
The law angered park boosters and environmental groups who worried the law would pave the way to commercial development at the park, which has views of the New York City skyline.
The state Department of Environmental Protection has said there are no plans to commercially develop the park. Still Christie and lawmakers immediately pledged to amend the law.
Sweeney is proposing taking all authority over the park away from the commission.
“We support this bill because it actually does what needs to be done,” said Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel.
The Assembly in March passed a bill giving ultimate authority to the department, though the commission could still review development plans under the bill.
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