New York Times
Under the agreement between the city and state announced Sunday, a newly created group known as the Governors Island Operating Entity would have primary responsibility for the future of the island, which was a military outpost from Revolutionary War days until 1995. The board of the new entity would consist of 13 members, nine of whom would be appointed by the mayor.
Sunday's announcement marked the start of the approval process, which will include an interactive display of the master plan starting with the June 5 opening of the visitors' season for the island. There will be a similar exhibit installed in the Battery Maritime Building's waiting room in Lower Manhattan. Public comments received through these display will serve as feedback to help guide the plan through its next stages, according to a release.
Although 87 acres of the island will be maintained as open green space, the master plan calls for 33 acres on the island's southern end to be set aside for new construction and includes a 2.2-mile Great Promenade along the waterfront. The Bloomberg administration has committed $41.5 million of its capital budget to fund continued investment in island infrastructure as well as the design, environmental and land use review, and construction of the first phase of the park and public spaces. Total project cost is estimated at $200 million, all of which would have to come from the city.
During the 2010 visitors' season, which runs from June until October, the island will see the opening of the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, a 400-student public high school. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has already opened artist studios on the island, with more than two dozen artists at work in studios that will be open for public visits this summer.
"With 87 acres of available green space, Governors Island represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city to invest in new amenities that will drastically improve both this open space and the quality of life for all city residents," says Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer in a release. The city and state struck a similar deal in March, with the Bloomberg administration taking control of the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Control of the historic 172-acre island, located a half mile off the southern tip of Manhattan, has been in state hands since 2002, when the Bush administration sold it to New York State. At the time of the transfer to state control, deed restrictions were created that prohibit permanent housing and casinos on the island.
The federal government is still responsible for managing the 22 acres that comprise Governors Island National Monument. Last year, the island drew more than 275,000 visitors, compared to 8,000 in 2005.
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Paul Bubny
Paul Bubny is managing editor of Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com. He has been reporting on business since 1988 and on commercial real estate since 2007. He is based at ALM Real Estate Media Group's offices in New York City.
