§ 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.