24 N.Y.2d 290 (1969)

When land has been legally designated for specific public use, such as a museum within a park, the administrative body overseeing that use (e.g., Parks Administrator) may approve expansions consistent with the original purpose without requiring additional approval from the Board of Estimate.

Summary

This case concerns a dispute over the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s proposed expansion, the Lehman Wing, onto land within Central Park. Petitioners sought to block the expansion, arguing it required approval from the Board of Estimate. The court held that because the land had already been designated for museum use by prior legislation and lease agreements, the Parks Administrator had the authority to approve the expansion without Board of Estimate approval. The court emphasized that the expansion furthered the museum’s purpose and constituted a gift to the city, not a disposition of city property.

Facts

The Metropolitan Museum of Art planned to construct the Lehman Wing, a privately funded addition to house a valuable art collection. In 1876, legislation authorized a lease between the Department of Public Parks and the museum for buildings “erected or to be erected” on specified park land. A lease was signed in 1878. The Lehman Foundation offered the art collection to the museum on the condition that a separate wing be built to house it. The City Art Commission and the Parks Administrator approved the addition. Petitioners, presidents of the Parks Council and Municipal Art Society, objected, arguing that the Board of Estimate’s approval was needed.

Procedural History

Petitioners initiated an Article 78 proceeding to enjoin the Parks Administrator from issuing a permit for the Lehman Wing’s construction without Board of Estimate authorization. The Special Term dismissed the petition, holding that the Parks Administrator had the authority to approve the construction. The Appellate Division affirmed the Special Term’s decision, leading to this appeal to the New York Court of Appeals.

Issue(s)

1. Whether the construction of the Lehman Wing requires authorization from the Board of Estimate, considering prior legislation and lease agreements designating the land for museum purposes?
2. Whether the conditions attached to the Lehman Foundation’s gift of the art collection and the wing constitute a disposition of city-owned property requiring Board of Estimate approval?

Holding

1. No, because the 1876 legislation and subsequent lease designated the land for museum purposes, granting the Parks Administrator the authority to approve expansions consistent with that purpose.
2. No, because the acceptance of the Lehman Wing constitutes a gift to the city, and the Parks Administrator has the authority to accept gifts with prescribed conditions under the City Charter.

Court’s Reasoning

The court reasoned that the 1876 legislation and the 1878 lease clearly indicated the intent to allow the museum to expand on the designated park land. The court stated, “the site on which the Lehman Wing is to stand was, as it were, conveyed and set aside for buildings to be erected for museum purposes—unquestionably a proper park use—pursuant to State legislation.” The court found that the Parks Administrator had the authority to approve the expansion under the City Charter, which grants the administrator control over property granted to the city for the maintenance of museums, “and upon such trusts and conditions as may be prescribed by the grantors or donors thereof and accepted by the administrator.” The court distinguished this situation from cases involving city property not previously committed to a public purpose. The court also noted that while the Lehman Foundation attached conditions to its gift of the art collection, the museum’s gift of the Lehman Wing to the city was not similarly restricted. The court emphasized that the City Art Commission and Parks Administrator approved the wing for its appropriateness and suitability for the intended use. The court concluded that the mayor’s acceptance of the gift, coupled with the Parks Administrator’s authority, was sufficient to authorize the construction permit, without needing Board of Estimate approval. Sections 67, 199, 229 and 384 of the charter were not applicable because they applied to situations where the land was not already set aside for public purposes.