NEW YORK—Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and other city officials on Friday initiated a large scale demolition that will open up Governors Island with eight acres of green space and 2.2 miles of waterfront promenade.
The demolition targets a cluster of 10 buildings on the island’s southern end that don’t meet City building code standards, and will provide access to half of the island never before open to the public. The three-story buildings were built in 1988 as housing for the Coast Guard.
The Island, which is accessible via a free seven-minute ferry ride that leaves from Battery Park City, will have the new space available in time for New Yorkers to enjoy next summer.
“New Yorkers will be able to picnic and play in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty,” Bloomberg said in a release. “Meanwhile, design is underway for the future park that will transform Governors Island into one of the great destinations of the world.”
The eight acres of new open space represents only one part of the open space development underway on Governors Island. Ultimately, the island will offer a total of 90 acres of publicly accessible open space.
“This year has been the most successful yet on Governors Island,” said Avi Schick, of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. “We are proud that such important milestones have been achieved—from welcoming more visitors than ever to clearing non-historic buildings to help open the southern portion of the island to the public.”
Last December, New York City and State announced the selection of internationally renowned design firms to design three new open spaces comprising the 90 acres: a two-mile Great Promenade along the water’s edge; a new major park located on the southern half of the island; and an improved park design within the northern Historic District.
The Great Promenade and 40-acre park will provide places to relax, play sports and explore. In the National Historic District, visitors can see acres of green space that include buildings and homes dating from 1810.
The design process of these open spaces began earlier this fall, with extensive and ongoing opportunities for public input, including a new blog, a survey, facilitated workshops, and an exhibition on Governors Island. According to the City, all ideas will be shared with the design team as they craft the park master plan that will be unveiled in the spring of 2009.
