For immediate release:
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano, (212) 440-2205


Governors Island Visitor Numbers Breaking Records  
More than 10,000 visitors last weekend -- nearly 30,000 visitors to date

Super 8 motel demolished

New York Philharmonic stage to be set up where motel once stood– July 5 concert major highlight of this season’s performances

Board approves contract for park design team
 

Governors Island is having its most successful summer yet, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) announced at a Board of Directors meeting today. GIPEC has welcomed more visitors than ever this year and just had a record breaking weekend with 10,000 visitors. At today’s meeting, GIPEC also announced that this fall, the design and public input process for the new Governors Island Park and Great Promenade will begin

Since opening day May 31, Governors Island has had more than 30,000 visitors, compared to 11,000 at this point in the 2007 season. This past Friday, Saturday and Sunday broke all visitation records on Governors Island, with a total of 10,000 people coming to experience the Figment Festival and see Olafur Eliasson’s The New York City Waterfalls. In 2006, Governors Island total season visitors totaled 26,000; in 2007 56,000 total. The 2008 season is on track to surpass GIPEC’s own forecast of 75,000.

Figment was a three day long interactive art festival that featured more than 200 volunteer artists performing and displaying their art throughout the Island. Figment returned to the Island for its second year and again drew record crowds.

This season, Governors Island offers more programs and activities than ever. Cyclists are coming in droves, using their own bicycles or renting bikes on the island. The Free Bike Friday program sponsored by Transportation Alternatives allows visitors to borrow bikes at no charge. Cyclists and pedestrians can now enjoy more than two miles of paths, and a newly opened portion of the Island’s western promenade.

GIPEC has also partnered with more organizations to bring unique programs to the Island. The Island is the site of one of Olafur Eliasson’s The New York City Waterfalls and island visitors can see all four Waterfalls sites during the free ferry trip to and from Governors Island. The July 5 performance by the New York Philharmonic is the capstone of many cultural programs and concerts..

Last Friday, GIPEC demolished the former Super 8 motel on the Island. In three hours, the structure was completely destroyed. To see pictures of the Super 8’s demolition, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/27521900@N06/.

This weekend, the New York Philharmonic will play on the site where the motel stood only eight days ago. After the performance, the space will become an additional two acres of green space for visitors. As previously announced, phase one of demolition on Governors Island will also include buildings on the Island’s southern portion, which is currently closed to the public due to safety concerns. The demolition of buildings in this area will also create additional open spaces for the public.

“Governors Island is coming back to life,” said GIPEC Chair Avi Schick. “It is incredible to see so many more visitors enjoying activities that have never before been offered on Governors Island. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors over the next few months and beginning the design process for the new Governors Island Park and Great Promenade.”

At today’s GIPEC Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved the contract with West 8, the acclaimed design firm leading the team that will design the new park and promenade on Governors Island. The design of these new open spaces will begin this fall. Funding for the design process was approved at a prior board meeting.

“It is wonderful to see the momentum that Governors Island is experiencing,” said Dan Doctoroff, Vice Chair of GIPEC. “More New Yorkers and visitors than ever are discovering all that this Island at the center of New York Harbor has to offer.”

Over the next few months, and throughout the entire design process, GIPEC will be seeking the public’s thoughts on the future park. Hundreds of people have already given their feedback in an exhibit entitled “What’s Happening on Governors Island.” The exhibit encourages everyone to write down what activities they want to pursue in these future spaces.

How to Get to Governors Island
Governors Island is open every Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Island is open from 10 AM to 7 PM. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building, on the corner of South and Whitehall Streets, in Lower Manhattan. For up to date ferry schedules, program highlights, information about the Philharmonic concert and downloadable maps, please visit www.govisland.com.

About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.

Contacts:
GIPEC: Elizabeth Rapuano: (GIPEC): 212-440-2205 (office)/ 914-830-1565 (cell);