Land Use Study: Executive Summary, Governors Island
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Governors Island Today On October 16, 1995, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) announced that it would close Governors Island by the end of Summer 1997, after 30 years of residency. This event represents a remarkable opportu nity to reclaim and reinvigorate one of New York's most promising assets. Because it is an island and was used ex clusively as a military post for more than two centuries, Governors Island has existed in splendid isolation. Nevertheless, like its neighbors, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Is land, Governors Island is perceived by the public at large as a national treasure. The is land's long service as the sentry of New York Harbor, its magnificent historic structures, views, and parklike setting- all within a five minute ferry trip from Manhattan - have captured the public's imagination, as Gover Aerial view of Governors Island nors Island faces the next chapter in its il lustrious history. for preventing an attack on New York Har Disposal Process Governors Island is located in New York bor during the War of 1812. Governors Island is subject to special legisla Harbor, one-half mile from the Battery in Under the control of the U.S. Army for tion incorporated as part of the Balanced Lower Manhattan and one-third mile from 172 years, the island was rhe site of a major Budget Act of 1997 {Item 373: (17), Sec. Red Hook, Brooklyn. It contains 172 acres arsenal, a military prison, training can1ps, 9101), as signed by President W illiam J. of land, 225 structures and over 100 acres and a full-scale Army base. Clinton. It directs the General Services Ad of open space. On the northern end of the At rhe turn of the century, landfill from miniscration (GSA) ro sell Governors Island island, approximately 92 acres have been N ew York City subway excavations and ar fai r market value no earlier than fiscal year designated as a National Historic Landmark harbor dredging was used ro nearly double 2002. The State ofNew York and the City of and a New York City Historic District, fea the island's size to the south. In 1909, New York have the right of first offer to pur turing I 8th-century fortifications, pre-Civil Wilbur Wright made rhe first fli ght over chase all or part of the island at fair marker War Arsenal buildings, Victorian housing, American waters from this new fl at land. In value. GSA Property Disposal representatives and early 20th-century neo-classical archi 1966, the island was transferred ro rhe are analyzing d1e impact of the legislation and tecrure. With its range of housing types, USCG, which eventually replaced rhe planning fo r its im plementation. community and recreation facilities, tree Army's temporary structures on the island's While the preceding describes the dispo lined streets, and intimate parks, Governors southern half with a significant number of sition of Governors Island pursuant to the Island has the character of a quiet village, residential, industrial, and community fa special legislation, d1e following is a brief syn even in the midst of a dynamic world city cili ty buildings. opsis of the standard disposal process based and international port. on the Federal Property Act of 1949 ('49 U.S. Coast Guard Move Act), as amended. History The USCG's decision to close Governors To convey d1e property to new users or Beginning with its purchase from the M an Island was made in response ro a Presiden owners under the '49 Act, there is a three ahatas Indians in 1637 by Wouter Van tial mandate to identify recurring savings as ciered process: Twiller, the island was a r ural sanctuary for part of federal deficit reduction efforts. l. The first priority is screening for reuse of colonial governors of firs t, New Netherland Since that time, Coast Guard units sta the island by another federal agency for and later, New York. By the late 1600s, for tioned there have been relocated, and the its property needs. tification of New York Harbor was urged by island moved into caretaker status in August 2. In the absence of any federal need for the the colony's English rulers, and Governors 1997. Security, fire protection, and facility properry, GSA must give priority to Island, as it came to be known, was consid maintenance is planned w1til the island's specifically legislated public benefit pro ered a key strategic point. While British disposal. grams of the srace and local governments, troops were stationed in the harbor in 1775, The Coast Guard units that support eligible institutions or non-profit organi American rebels built the fi rst fortifications maritime operations in the Port ofNew York zations. T hese include park and recre on the island - the beginning of more than and New Jersey were relocated to Staten Is ation, historic monument, education, 200 years as a major military site. Following land and New Jersey; those units having re public heald1 and homeless uses. In ad rhe Revolutionary War, Governors Island, gional responsibility over the Eastern United dition, cl1e city or state may purcl1ase the though garrisoned, remained inactive until Scares were relocated to the Tidewater Vir property (at fai r market value) for public the threat of war with France at the end of ginia area; and the civilian and mili tary per purposes not covered by these public the l8rh-centmy. The island was then sub sonnel who operated and maintained the benefit programs, sucl1 as fo r economic stantially fortified, an act which is credited island have moved to various locations. developmenr. 2 Governors Island Land Use Study 3. In the absence of the public uses de tors. Based on these analyses, a set of com dergoing a widespread transformation from scribed above, GSA would then offer the mon planning elements for the island was primarily industrial uses to recreational and property to private individuals and com established, which in tum guided the deter residential uses. Both New York and New Jer panies by competitive sale. mination of six land use options. The find sey have proposed greenway plans and new Governors Island will be disposed of accord ings of the Land Use Study are embodied in zoning for Manhattan, Staten Island, Brook ing to the provisions of the special legislation these six options, which, both as a group and lyn, and the western Hudson River shores. (the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Item 373: individually, reflect the overall goals of the Governors Island shares New York H arbor [17], Sec. 9101), unless thatlegislacion is oth Study. None of th ese options, however, with two of this region's most significant his erwise amended, modified, or withdrawn. should be viewed as the preferred alternative. toric sites - Liberty and Ellis Islands - as well as a number of od1er popular tourist spots. Purpose Regional Context Given the continued growth of tourism in the This Land Use Study is not a legally-man Since its inception as a fortified site, Gover New York area, and the island's proximity to dated part of the disposition process; rather nors Island's location has been a critical fac a revitalized Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, it was commissioned by GSA in recognition tor in its history. Today, the island's harbor Governors Island has great potential to be of the uniquely special qualities of Governors setting creates both a physical and cultural come a major destination. It has the promise Island. T his Study, prepared by the Beyer context of considerable importance to its fu ro enrich both the local and international Blinder Belle Consortium, is designed to: ture. The regional waterfront is currently un- communities with its remarkable resources. inform the public of the island's resources; guide the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by providing a range of possible land use options for analysis; and become a cata lyst for ideas on Governors Island's reuse. Plans for the future of Governors Island must be a balance between conservation and new construction; between looking back on history and forward to innovative solutions for the 21st century; between a world-class attraction and local needs; between the ideals of a long range vision and the immediate need to keep the buildings used and maintained; and between maximum public benefit and an economically sustainable reuse program. Public Participation Governors Island's future is a matter of great public interest. A key component of the Land Use Study was the public participation program, designed ro keep all interested par ties informed of the Study's progress, and provide mechanisms for receiving and in corporating public comment. T hree public fo rums were held over a six-month period; summaries of the commentary from these meetings are available by request. Bi-weekly working meetings between the Beyer Blind er Belle Consortium and city, state and fed eral agencies guided the planning process. Focus groups and personal interviews were conducted with representatives of a range of N / potential user groups, such as housing groups, schools and universities, parks and BEYER BLI NDER BELLE CONS~ Atlantic Ocean recreation groups, developers, retailers, and 0 Sml. civic and other non-profit organizations. Legend Methodology Staten Island Ferry In order ro provide a range of planning op Major Highways tions for consideration in the Environmen , Governors Island tal Impact Statement, this Study consisted of D Major Public Parks an assessment and analysis of all relevant is Regional Context @ Major Airports land conditions and a range of planning fac- Executive Summary 3 BUILDING ASSESSMENT Building 550, a recently renovated health services clinic.