When the Federal Government conveyed Governor's Island to NYC for $1 in 2003, the original deed guaranteed "the protection and preservation of the natural, cultural, and historic qualities of Governors Island." Plans to up-zone threaten this protected historic green space, bringing in hundreds of private vehicles, a hotel, shopping district, a university "Climate Center", and permitting buildings over twenty stories in height which will block public views and interfere with local ecology. The City Club advocates for thoughtful planning for use of this treasured green space in New York City. We are concerned that financial motivations- with a Governor's Island Trust under pressure to increase maintenance revenue while including many members of the real estate development community on its board- are overshadowing the core purpose of the Island and the duty of it's protectors. Governor's Island is a public parkland with unique natural features and historic sites dating back to the 18th Century. We must protect this public area from over-development.
Photo Credit Doug Kerr
Learn more by reading news articles on the proposed development.
The Plan to Completely Transform Governors Island Faces One Last Hurdle
Given to New York City to be used for the public, a group of private interests is steering the island in a new direction.
Max Rivlin-Nadler. October 23, 2022
Towers Would Wreck Governors Island’s Serenity, Lawsuit Says
A proposed office complex would ruin the “country place in the city,” even if it houses a climate change center, opponents argue.
James Barron, August 2, 2022
For Governors Island, the wrong way forward
JEFFREY A. KROESSLER, February 28, 2021
When mayoral candidate Andrew Yang suggested that Governors Island would be a terrific place for a casino, the idea generated immediate scorn. What could be less appropriate for that public gem in the harbor? Yet today, a plan for massive development is swiftly advancing through the political process with barely a speed bump in its way.
We want to know: What happened to the grand public playground New Yorkers were promised?