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o • o '•i m .1ifJS%'"\^B : & Lw * WM •L/._OA??S ill? 4 1 n '1 J~"1^3iPL*[li l rit Ol ' 1 -It 1 "-J W tt 1 •Cvt r« 7 _L 1 j- Ik»-.1JO »'•'•' P »••11*63 to * flr ,IJOI , ' 'I' m w |o il k 13 at 1 a?-' - s<i '.-;*• J»W<-, The island nobody knows '*u "*^"i^ v '/* EEStfi^ THE STATE OF NEW YORK THE CITY OF NEW YORK Hon. Nelson A. Rockefeller, Governor Hon. John V. Lindsay, Mayor New York State Urban Development The Welfare Island Welfare Island Planning and Corporation Community Advisory Development Committee BOARD OF DIRECTORS Committee Mr. Benno C. Schmidt, Chairman EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Mr. George D. Woods, Chairman Mr. Benno C. Schmidt, Chairman Mrs. Vincent Astor Hon. Jason R. Nathan Mr. D. David Brandon Mr. Edward J. Logue* Mr. William Bernbach Administrator Mr. Peter J. Brennan Mrs. Vincent Astor Dr. Ralph Bunche Housing and Development Dr. Kenneth B. Clark Dr. Eugene S. Callender* Mrs. Marcia Davenport Administr ~"~ Mr. Neal L. Moylan Mrs. Marcia Davenport Mr. Irving Mitchell Felt Hon. Donald H. Elliott Mr. J. Fred Schoellkopf, IV Hon. Donald H. Elliott* Mr. Richard Gelb Chairman Mr. Richard E. Stewart Hon. August Heckscher* Mr. Eli Jacobs City Planning Comt Mr. Frank Wille Mr. Eli Jacobs Mr. Philip Johnson Hon. August Heckscher Mr. Whitney M. Young, Jr. Mrs. John Loeb Mr. James A. Linen Administrator Mr. Robert E. McCabe* Mrs. John Loeb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Mr. Edward J. Logue, President and Hon. Jason R. Nathan* Administration, and Commissioner ol Parks Mr. Andre Meyer Chief Executive Officer Mr. C. W. Owens Mr. Robert E. McCabe, General Manager Mr. C. W. Owens Dr. Bernard Bucove Mr. Alex Rose Mr. Ellmore Patterson Administrator Mr. George D. Woods* Health Services *ex officio Mr. Alex Rose Administration Mr. David Truman Mr. Walter B. Wriston Mr. David L. Yunich This proposal for the redevelopment of the island was initiated by Mayor John V. Lindsay with the appointment of the Welfare Island Planning and Development Committee in January 1968. The Committee reported to the Mayor in February 1969. In May 1969, at the request of the Mayor, the New York State Urban Devel­ opment Corporation was asked to take the responsibility for carry­ ing out the Committee's recommendations. It is the intention of the Urban Development Corporation to create a subsidiary corporation whose directors will be the members of the Community Advisory Committee, which includes public officials, serving ex officio, from UDC and the City, to detail and carry out the program herein proposed. A team, headed by Architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee, prepared the plan and submitted this report in October 1969. •ww*!.. Most of us have seen it, of course—from Long Island City, from the 59th paintings at their most dramatic; and, finally, the movement of tugboats, The island nobody knows Street Bridge, from the East River Drive, or from a sightseeing boat that of cars on the multilevel highways along the Manhattan waterfront, of circles Manhattan. It has been known, in recent years, as "Welfare Island" seagulls and of helicopters above. In the heart of New York City there lies a sliver of land-almost —not a very attractive name, given to it in 1921 to divorce the good name Nobody knows this island, because nobody knows how to get there. two miles long, almost 150 acres in area, surrounded by water, of the Blackwell family that used to own the place from certain scandals Oddly enough, the island is one of the easiest places in New York to reach: and once known as Blackwell's Island. This booklet is about its involving the local prison system. So its proper name is really Blackwell's from midtown Manhattan, you cross the 59th Street Bridge on the upper past, its present, and about its great potential for the future. Island, and "Welfare Island" should, perhaps, revert to that, now that level, turn right where it says "Welfare Island," turn right again on 21st the island is about to get a new lease on life. Street, head north until you hit the second traffic light. That will be 36th Most of us have seen the island, but very few of us have ever been there. Avenue. Wait for the light to change and turn sharp left—and, before What sort of place is it? you know it, you're on the "Welfare Island Bridge." Average time from These are the vital statistics: 147 acres in area at present (rock removed 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan: less than half the time it from the new subway tunnel might be used to fill to the bulkhead line, takes to get to La Guardia. thus adding more acres); about 2 miles in length; about 800 feet wide at Soon this is going to be much easier: the 63rd Street subway tunnel its widest; 30 feet above water level at its highest elevation; endowed with from Manhattan to Queens will have a station on the island—and the plans hundreds of beautiful trees; and sharply pointed at both ends. From we have projected here are, in fact, centered on that new subway stop, high up, the island looks like one of those Indian arrowheads—but the and on the stores and restaurants that it can support. Indians themselves, not being airborne, just called it Minnahanock, More things will be done to make the island easier to reach: our plans which means "an island place." The Dutch, being prosaic, called it provide docks and harbors for water busses and water taxis of the sort that Varcken Eylandt, or "Hog's Island." It's been Blackwell's Island ever have long and efficiently served cities like Venice. And we have planned since the late 17th century. two glass-tower elevators for pedestrian access from the 59th Street "You can't even find an old beer can there," somebody said recently. Bridge. But you can find plenty of other things: It is, today, admittedly an island that nobody knows. It is not likely to • You can find an octagonal building that contains one of the grandest remain that way much longer. spaces in New York. In the very center of Paris there is an island, 65 acres in size, and • You can find one of the few, and one of the oldest wood farmhouses surrounded by the river Seine. That island, of course, is known as He de in the city—the Blackwell House—and many other significant landmarks la Cite, and it contains, among many other buildings, the cathedral of as well (see p. 5). Notre Dame. • You can find some of the most charming, tree-lined, paved, and bench- The island nobody knows, in the East River of New York, may never equipped promenades west of the river Seine. contain another Notre Dame; but—planned with imagination and vision • And you can find the most spectacular views east or west of anywhere: —it will never be littered with beer cans either. panoramic views of Manhattan that remind you of Feininger's photo­ This little book about the past, present, and future of what may well be graphs; perspectives of a high-flying bridge that recall Piranesi's drawings; our most precious island is a plea to help grasp this great opportunity in glimpses of docks and of industrial plants that look like Charles Sheeler's the very heart of our city. 1 L o c -o 2 o 2 £ tyj Some of New York City's most valuable historic landmarks still If somebody were to clear the island today with a bulldozer, he would benches, railings, and paved promenades—all these offer us a glimpse of stand on the island. Several of them can be repaired or restored, destroy not only a couple of hospitals—Bird S. Coler to the north, Gold- its history. They also suggest that any new community that may rise on water Memorial to the south—but, also, some of the finest historic land­ this island will have tangible symbols of the past upon which to build and put to good use again. They will enrich the scene. marks to be found in the City of New York. its future. Among these would be: Not only in history, but also in function, this future is intended to • A lighthouse originally built in the second half of the 19th century, on be tied to the past and present. The existing hospital uses, for example, a rock just to the north of the northernmost tip of the island. will be enhanced by the new development. In the next planning stage, • The octagonal stair tower of the Metropolitan Hospital (originally the specific provision of housing for members of the hospital staffs and known as the New York Lunatic Asylum). It is shown in the drawings at for handicapped or chronically ill persons will receive special priority. left. Charles Dickens came across it, having apparently lost his way, and Thus no complete break with the past is proposed. And the original called it "handsome... (and) remarkable for a spacious and elegant stair­ history will not be forgotten. case." Henry Russell Hitchcock, our leading contemporary architectural In 1668, Captain John Manning, a British officer, bought the island historian, thinks the octagonal tower is "certainly the finest work of archi­ and gave it his name. Manning surrendered New York to the Dutch in tecture on the island. The rotunda with its staircase," he adds, "is perhaps ] 673 and, following its recapture by the British, barely escaped execution the grandest interior space in New York City earlier than Grand Central for treason.

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