Release #218-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter 212/788-2958

$81 Million Project Will Create New State-of-the-Art Gateway To Staten Island

Will Offer Enhanced Transportation Services, Create Additional Retail Development and Waterfront Restaurant For Commuters and Tourists

"This is great news for Staten Island," said Mayor Giuliani. "For the past several years the St. George Ferry Terminal - the gateway to Staten Island -- has been an unattractive place for thousands of commuters and millions of tourists to wait for the Staten Island Ferry. Now, thanks to the efforts of Guy Molinari, the City's Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Transportation, the St. George Ferry Terminal will be transformed into a state-of-the-art transportation and retail facility that all New Yorkers can be proud of.

"The new St. George Ferry Terminal will offer enhanced transportation services and create an additional 12,000 square-feet of new retail and restaurant space," the Mayor continued. "The Terminal will become the focal point for the redevelopment of the St. George area and will provide the perfect link to the new Yankee minor league ballpark to the northwest and the new National Lighthouse Museum to the south. The new St. George Terminal will become a destination, much like Grand Central Terminal, with an appealing mix of facilities serving both the daily commuter and the tourist. The renovations will double the existing retail space within the Ferry Terminal, as well as the existing rent collected by the City. Once the renovations are completed in late 2002, people won't mind if they miss the ferry, because now they'll have an attractive and modern facility in which to shop, eat or relax before the next ferry."

"The newly recreated Staten Island Ferry Terminal announced today will provide a visionary and exciting gateway to Staten Island," said Staten Island Borough President Molinari. "It will truly put St. George on the map. The new facility will serve as an enhanced attraction for the millions of tourists riding the world famous Staten Island Ferry, enticing them to discover our Borough's attractions. The terminal is the cornerstone of the St. George Station project, which includes the new Staten Island Yankees minor league ballpark and two new museums. The economic, transportation and cultural merits of these projects will benefit virtually every neighborhood of Staten Island, and I thank Mayor Giuliani for his outstanding support in making the new Ferry Terminal plan possible."

Among the transportation improvements included in the new St. George Ferry Terminal are:

• A pedestrian walkway connecting Richmond Terrace and terminal entry
• New elevators, escalators and stairs to connect all levels of the new Terminal
• Improved traffic circulation systems, separating pedestrians, busses and livery vehicles
• Additional entry into Terminal for passengers
• New passenger drop off
• Increased parking for commuters and tourists

Additional improvements to be included in the renovations are:

• Redeveloped Passenger Waiting Area
  Enhanced retail and passenger amenities. Floor-to-ceiling glass will allow panoramic views of the harbor and incoming ferries and there will be a transparent waiting room secured by ornamental rails and a glass enclosure, upgraded restrooms, new information systems (including public address) and new signage
• New Pedestrian Walkway
  Scenic linkage to the Staten Island Yankees minor league ballpark, future cultural building and commercial development to the north, and Lighthouse Museum to the south
• Additional Restaurant and Retail Space
  12,000 square-feet of additional space will be created, appealing mix of uses serving both the daily commuter and the tourist. The renovations will double the existing retail space within the Ferry Terminal, as well as the existing rent collected by the City.
• New Waterfront Plaza
  Landscaped area will provide breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, open public areas and waterfront restaurant

"The new St. George Ferry Terminal will not only be a state-of-the-art transportation facility, but a prime tourism and retail destination," said Acting EDC President Michael Carey. "Together with the National Lighthouse Museum and the new minor league ballpark, the rejuvenated terminal will help stimulate private sector investment and reinvigorate the Staten Island waterfront."

The terminal will remain fully operational when construction begins later this year and transportation services will remain uninterrupted over the course of construction, which is expected to be completed in December 2002. In addition, renovations to the terminal will not impede construction plans for the new Staten Island Yankees ballpark.

"The upgrading of the St. George Terminal is imperative to provide the riders of the Staten Island Ferry with accommodations which are nothing short of world class" said Department of Transportation Commissioner Chapman.

Approximately one million tourists ride the Staten Island Ferry annually to view the Statue of Liberty and New York's Harbor. The enhanced Ferry Terminal will invite visitors to the many cultural attractions Staten Island has to offer and provide clear directions to the immediately adjacent attractions. When completed, the new Staten Island Yankees minor league ballpark will host 38 home games, which are expected to attract 240,000 fans, many of whom will use the Staten Island Ferry to travel to the games.