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Also See: Mayor's
WINS Address January 9, 2000 |
Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani were today joined by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to announce a plan to transform Governors Island into a major civic, cultural and educational destination in New York Harbor.
"Each year, millions of people come from around the world to visit New York Harbor," Governor Pataki said. "The proposed plan will ensure Governors Island joins the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as a third major icon for millions of visitors to experience and celebrate the colorful history of our great City, State and Nation.
"Governors Island will be a place where residents and visitors alike can relax and play in a new public park, enjoy spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, discover the importance of this extraordinary State treasure in our nation's history, and learn about the historical and ecological significance of the Hudson River and New York Harbor," the Governor said.
Mayor Giuliani said, "This plan is a perfect blend of public and private initiatives that will benefit not only the City and State, but will serve as a major attraction to the millions of tourists who visit New York City each year. The plan is a great mixture of cultural, educational, commercial and open spaces, which will be great additions to our City and tremendous assets for all New Yorkers. I want to thank Governor Pataki and Deputy Mayor Randy Levine for their efforts in developing these plans. I look forward to the future groundbreaking when today's plan begins to become a reality."
Senator Moynihan said, "A great new park for a great new century."
Speaker Silver, whose district includes Governors Island and the surrounding islands, said, "Governors Island's rich history is uniquely connected with our City, State and Nation's struggle for freedom and independence. The redevelopment plan, formally announced today, strikes the necessary balance between preserving the history of Governors Island and providing the general public with parks and public open spaces, as well as an opportunity to enjoy additional tourism, recreation, cultural and educational activities."
The northern portion of the Island is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic District and is also designated by the City of New York as a City Historic Landmark District. The history will be preserved for visitors at a cultural center featuring museums anchored in and around the island's 18th- and 19th-century military fortifications. Plans for the northern portion also include a major conference center, an extended stay hotel and moderately priced family lodging, and a health and wellness center. The plan also proposes waterside dining, small retail shops, limited commercial office space and a facility for academic programming.
The southern end of the Island will be transformed into a 50-acre public park, complete with recreation facilities and opportunities for visitors to experience stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and beautiful New York Harbor.
A new museum celebrating the significance of the Hudson River will include major exhibits documenting the River's important ecological systems, the significance of the Harbor in the ecology of marine life on the eastern seaboard and the important role the island played in our nation's history as a military and commercial center.
A family entertainment center, similar to the popular tourist attraction at Colonial Williamsburg, will focus on such historical themes as the American Revolution and the history of America's armed forces. The plan also includes University athletic fields and facilities, as well as enhancements to the existing esplanade.
Governors Island consists of 172 acres of developed land above water and 32 acres of submerged land surrounding the Island. It was owned and operated as a military facility by the British and American armed forces for more than 200 years. This State and National treasure has been the site for many historic events, and played an important role in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the American Civil War and World Wars I and II. More recently, the Island was the site for the 1988 summit between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as the site of United Nations-sponsored talks to restore democratic rule in 1993.
A subsidiary of Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) will be created to administer and govern the Island. The ESDC subsidiary would be responsible for the overall management of the Island, including the coordination of infrastructure and landscape development, operation of an extensive park and open space system, and the recruitment of private developers for specific development projects through long term lease agreements.
ESDC Chairman Charles Gargano said, "I commend Governor Pataki, Senator Moynihan, Mayor Giuliani and Speaker Silver for their continued commitment to significant urban development projects. The redevelopment of Governors Island will join 42nd Street, Hudson River Park and Queens West as yet another celebrated public-private partnership to benefit visitors and New Yorkers alike. As lead public agency, Empire State Development is proud to provide the appropriate environment to attract private investment as we execute the shared vision of the City, State and Federal governments for Governors Island."
The plan requires a $300 million investment from private sector developers and approximately $30 million in public funds to be shared by State and City governments as part of a total capital budget of $70 million.
The remaining $40 million will be provided through payments made by private investors as part of their long-term lease agreements. In addition, the State and the City will request funding from the Federal government to assist in redevelopment efforts. It is expected that, once developed, the Island will generate enough revenue to support ongoing operations without any additional public funding.
The Federal government currently owns Governors Island. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 provides that New York State and New York City may purchase the Island at fair market value no earlier than 2002. Under the redevelopment proposal, Governors Island would be transferred from the Federal government to the State or City at no cost. Congressional action will be sought to allow the transfer of Governors Island at no cost prior to 2002.
The proposed land use plan will be subject to all appropriate State and City environmental review processes and historic preservation laws, and public comment and participation will be solicited.