Governors Island Preservation and Education Group

Planning and developing

For a map of Governors Island that outlines areas slated for demolition, click here.

The following is the President's Report from the GIPEC Board of Directors Meeting on April 10th.

Good morning.

I first want to thank the Board for their votes this morning on the Harbor School matter, our Budgets and our Turner Contract Amendment.

In addition to those items I would like to take this opportunity to update the directors on incredible momentum that has built on Governors Island over the past year.

As you remember, in the fall of 2006, I introduced GIPEC's four key strategies for Governors Island. These strategies remain the core of what we do on Governors Island and I am happy to report that there has been a great deal of progress on all fronts. The 4 strategies are:

Creating a world-class park and open space on the Island; Expanding early signature uses and visitation to the Island; Investing in historic stabilization, Island infrastructure and operations; and Executing a multi-phased, mixed-use development strategy.

1. World-class park and open space

As you know, the creation of this space will be the first phase in our reactivation of the Island and will be the catalyst to entice future users to the Island. We envision the park as a fabulous, new destination park for New York and the region, offering unique activities and programs.

Design of the new park and promenade by West 8 and the rest of our design team, will begin this fall. We have already commenced drafting the West 8 contract and will return to the Board at a future meeting to approve that contract.

As we move forward and design the park and promenade, we will look to you and the public for ideas of what they would like to see in these places in the future. On the Island this summer, there will be opportunities for the public to share their thoughts and ideas with us. We will also continue to work with community boards, the Island's Advisory Council, the Governors Island Alliance, elected officials, and all constituents, in the design of the new park and promenade.

2. Early Signature Uses

Secondly, we have made great strides in expanding early signature uses of Governors Island.

At this meeting, you have approved the capital budget that will allow GIEPC to begin demolition of non-historic structures on the Island. As you are aware, 80 acres of the Island are closed to the public due to safety concerns regarding these decrepit buildings.

By demolishing these non-historic, non-contributing structures, we will create two additional acres of open space in the Historic District on the Parade Grounds, and begin to open space on the southern portion of the Island. This will help GIPEC to fulfill its obligation to increase public access to the Island. This is a sign of momentum on the Island, and we look forward to opening more of the southern portion of the Island to the public in 2009 once demolition on certain areas has been completed.

Earlier this week, GIPEC announced that the New York Philharmonic will play a free evening concert on the Island this July. Governors Island will now become a part of more than four decade old tradition in New York City of providing evenings of free music in some of the City's most amazing parks. We are confident that the concert will help us achieve our goal of welcoming more than 75,000 visitors to the Island during our open season.

The Island will also be a site of Olafur Eliasson's "New York City Waterfalls" installation. Beginning in July, a 120 foot waterfall will cascade off of Governors Island into the Harbor. We are again confident that this incredible public art project will be a significant visitor draw.

Governors Island will be open for more hours and days than ever before. We will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this summer as opposed to just Saturdays and Sundays last summer. In addition, we will extend the public hours to 7:00 PM from 5:00 PM and our season will last until October 5th, allowing visitors to explore and enjoy the Island at different times of the day and year.

We continue to forge partnerships with cultural organizations and others to create programming which visitors of all ages can enjoy. In a few weeks, we will release our entire summer schedule to the Board and the public.

Watch out for the News section:

May 12, Governors Island announces new ferry waiting room More...

April 10th: GIPEC Board approves funds to begun demolition of non-historic buildings on Governors Island More...

Park News: The acclaimed team of West 8/Rogers Marvel/Diller Scofidio + Renfro/Quennell Rothschild/SMWM is the winning team to design the park and open space on Governors Island, including a new park and promenade.

● Read the press release
● Read a transcript of the press conference