City and State Release Governors Island Park and Public Space Master Plan for 87 Acres of Open Green Space
(images courtesy: West 8 / Rogers Marvel Architects / Diller Scofidio + Renfro / Mathews Nielsen / Urban Design +.)
City Will Have Primary Responsibility to Develop and Operate the Island
Governors Island is one of the nine waterfront destinations that comprise NYHarborWay. The nine destinations are Hudson River Park, The Battery, Ellis Island, Statue Liberty Island, Atlantic Basin, East River Esplanade, Governors Island, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. All of the sites are accessible by ferry, and except for the islands, will be linked by the bike greenways.
The Park and Public Space Master Plan will transform Governors Island into a destination, take advantage of its unparalleled setting in the Harbor, and provide a varied set of experiences. In the Historic District, green spaces will be restored and amenities will be added. The design creates new play areas and transforms acres of asphalt parking lots into green spaces for recreation, car-free biking, cultural programming and relaxation. On the island's southern end, the design reshapes the desolate, flat landscape into one with new hills and habitats for exploring, playing and enjoying views. The design includes The Great Promenade, where strollers and bicyclists can experience 360 degree views of New York Harbor along the water's edge.
(images courtesy: West 8 / Rogers Marvel Architects / Diller Scofidio + Renfro / Mathews Nielsen / Urban Design +.)
The West 8 team, that created the plan, was selected after an international design competition. West 8 leads a team that includes Rogers Marvel Architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, and Urban Design +. When the island opens for the season on June 5, the Park and Public Space Master Plan will be featured in an interactive exhibition on the island and in the Battery Maritime Building's waiting room in Lower Manhattan. The public will be invited to give their feedback in a variety of ways and this input will guide the plan as it enters its next stages. Governors Island
Since the transfer of Governors Island from the federal government, New York State and New York City have worked together to increase public access to the island, invest in island infrastructure and stabilization of historic structures, execute a multi-phase, mixed use development strategy and create a world-class park and public space.
Last year, Governors Island welcomed a record 275,000 visitors over a 60 day public access season, compared to only 8,000 visitors in 2005. It also offered a diverse array of free cultural and recreational programs and activities to visitors from neighborhoods across New York City.
(images courtesy: West 8 / Rogers Marvel Architects / Diller Scofidio + Renfro / Mathews Nielsen / Urban Design +.)
The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has already opened artist studios on the island and more than two dozen artists are currently at work in studios that will be open for public visits in the summer. The Harbor School, a New York City public high school, will open in September with 400 students in attendance.
(images courtesy: West 8 / Rogers Marvel Architects / Diller Scofidio + Renfro / Mathews Nielsen / Urban Design +.)
Governors Island will be open every Friday - Sunday from June 5 - October 10 for a wide variety of free activities, performances and programs for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Ferries will run to Governors Island from both Manhattan and Brooklyn. All ferry rides will be free. A detailed schedule of planned events and programs will be available at govisland.com in the next several weeks.
Mitchell Hall, Associate Broker, The Corcoran Group
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