http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4552 Amidst the buzz around Governors Island and its ongoing redevelopment, some Brooklyn community leaders are making noise about the island’s inaccessibility for Brooklyn residents. Governors Island is a mere 400 yards from the Brooklyn waterfront, yet a trip from Red Hook to the island would involve about an hour and a half of traveling on a bus, two subways, and a ferry. The water taxi service between the island and Red Hook was terminated last summer due to lack of subsidies from the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. There have been a few proposals to make Governors Island’s development more inclusive, including a proposal for the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn to share the island, which is legally part of Manhattan, and the proposed gondola service connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan via Governors Island. Yet some Brooklynites worry that as the island gets developed, they will be left out and it will become an “exclusive preserve for Manhattan visitors.” 2008-08-15 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4543 The Governor's Island Preservation and Education Corp sent out a request for proposals for art installations and other recreation opportunities for the island in the coming years. They speculate that entertainment such as the Big Apple Circus could come to Governors Island as well as art exhibits and other entertainment and dining options. 2008-08-13 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4408 Governors Island has had three times as many tourists as this time last year, validating recent efforts to provide an array of cultural attractions. Free transportation, bicycle rentals, and other entertainment, such as the Waterfalls exhibit, have all contributed to the boom. 2008-07-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4377 Public Art Project, Waterfalls, will begin or be turned on starting tomorrow at 9am. There will be four waterfalls in total along the East River waterfront on both the Brooklyn and Manhattan sides as well as near Governors Island. This art installation will last until October 13. 2008-06-25 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4357 The Philharmonic is scheduled to play a concert on Governors Island on July 5th at the current site of an old, abandoned Super 8 Motel. The motel is to be demolished prior to the concert in order to accommodate the expected 10,000 concert-goers. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corp (GIPEC) brokered the deal with the Philharmonic in hopes of creating a permanent home for the orchestra every summer. 2008-06-18 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4303 Beginning this Friday, bikes will be available for free on Friday's until October 6th on Governor's Island and for rental on the weekends. This is part of an alternative transportation program being tested for possible future implementation throughout the City. 2008-06-04 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4281 Art programming, including jazz festivals, a concert by the New York Philharmonic and other events, will hopefully bring many different groups of New Yorkers to Governors Island this summer, according to the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. While designs for the new park will not be released until 2009, an amphitheater is expected. This summer’s programming will hopefully shed light on what the future holds for the Island. Ferry service is expected to increase during the larger events this summer to make travel back and forth easier. 2008-05-29 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4154 The $500 million dollar overhaul of Governors Island is expected to begin next month with the demolition of existing structures. A group of five design teams is working on a proposal to transform the island into an oasis for cyclists, rock-climbers and nature-lovers, and will meet to reassess their plans in the fall. A groundbreaking is expected next year. 2008-04-28 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4115 Governors Island, located a half a mile off the tip of Manhattan in the New York Harbor, is prime real estate that is finally being realized. A team of five design firms is working on creating a park with manmade hills and a shoreline promenade. Purchased from Native Americans by the Dutch in 1637, later occupied by the British, and then serving as a U.S. military base for over 200 years, the island has a rich colonial and post-colonial history. Construction on the new development will not begin until 2009, but demolition of buildings on the south end of the island is slated to begin as early as next month. 2008-04-20 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4095 The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) will release a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for Governors Island later this year. The City and State have focused their efforts on improving transportation services and open space to the 172-acre island over the past few years. The State allocated $10 million to Governor’s Island this year and the City is expected to match that amount. A public school is expected to be the first tenant of the Island. 2008-04-14 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#4087 The New York Philharmonic has scheduled a free concert on July 5 on Governors Island. The famed orchestra has been searching for a permanent summer home and its president, Zarin Mehta has said that Governors Island may be considered if the City would address transportation and other issues associated with the Island. 2008-04-09 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#3736 Governors Island is beginning to prepare for future development although it is unclear what project or projects may be developed there. Leslie Koch, president of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC), said that demolition of buildings on Governor Island’s southern tip is slated to begin this year. She also said that only one school, a maritime-themed public high school called the Harbor School, is set to build their campus on the island. However, several educational institutions and universities, including New York University, have demonstrated interest in expanding to the island. While no request for proposals has been announced, Koch noted that a competitive bidding process would be necessary before the GIPEC considered any new developments. Plans are moving forward on the redesign of the island’s parkland. A viewing of redesigns will be open longer than usual this summer to showcase the waterfall art installation by Olafur Eliasson. 2008-02-07 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#3708 New York University is considering expanding academic space, faculty and student housing on Governors Island. Use of Governors Island for expansion is nothing new for NYU as they have been considering the idea since 1997. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation is not soliciting tenants currently but considers NYU an ideal fit for the space. Any NYU expansion to the Island would only come once transportation and infrastructure improvements are made. 2008-02-01 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#3552 As part of the Governors Island park renovations, the city has announced a bike-share program to allow visitors free use of bicycles on the Island. Dutch design firm West 8 will construct 3,000 wooden bicycles, in addition to building new parkland. The bike-share program is expected to begin in 2012 with the completion of the parks. Some transportation advocates hope that this program will become citywide in the future. 2007-12-26 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=41#3521 The design by West 8, Diller Scofidio & Renfro, Rogers Marvel Architects, Quennell Rothschild & Partners and SMWM was chosen for a 40-acre park on Governors Island. The $400 million projects, includes a promenade, two new parks, free bicycles rentals and allow for future building developments on the island and is expected to be completed by 2012. 2007-12-20 00:00:00