Overview

• Parks officials submitted Related-affiliated entities to the Department of Investigation for required vetting, with City Hall stressing no final decision has been made.
• The Parks Department has recommended a Related–CityPickle joint venture for a new long-term concession to run the Central Park rink, according to multiple reports.
• Only two bids were received, from a Related affiliate and the Trump Organization, and two city officials said the Related proposal offered higher revenue to the city.
• Any award must clear DOI review, be publicly noticed, and win approval from the Franchise Concession & Review Committee, which holds its next hearing on October 16.
• Scrutiny of the process intensified after the city declined a $120 million Central Park Conservancy proposal, and after the Trump Organization’s prior contract was ended in 2021 following the Capitol riot.