About Phase 1

 

20110505_Phase1Plan_forweb

The Bloomberg Administration’s ten year capital plan provides funding for the first phase of the Governors Island Park and Public Space Plan, which will transform Governors Island into a destination with extraordinary public open spaces. These new areas build upon the Island’s unparalleled setting in New York Harbor, the preservation of its historic landscape and its place as a playground for the arts, culture and recreation.

The first phase will add lively plazas, thousands of new trees for shade, play areas for adults and children alike, ball fields for sports and a new welcoming gateway for visitors at the ferry landing. The redesign of Liggett Terrace and the addition of 22 acres of new space with the Hammock Grove and the Play Lawn will create a new and animated center for the Island that is full of spaces to play, relax, swing in a hammock or enjoy public art.  

The Bloomberg Administration’s capital plan also includes funding for Governors Island’s other capital needs. The projects funded include restoring potable water, upgrading telecommunications and electrical systems to bring them into the 21st Century, continuing the stabilization program for buildings throughout the historic district and demolishing decrepit Coast Guard era buildings on the Island’s southern half. Together these projects will transform the Island by investing in its future.

What Areas of the Island Are Included in Phase 1?

The first phase focuses on areas in the Historic District, as well as Hammock Grove and the Play Lawn. Areas included in the first phase are:

  • Soissons Landing: a welcoming gateway for Island visitors to arrive and depart by ferry and enjoy stunning views of Lower Manhattan and the Harbor
  • Liggett Terrace: a new, six-acre sunny courtyard with a play area, seasonal plantings, food and seating
  • South Battery: currently an asphalt parking lot, the South Battery will be transformed by new lawn and trees designed showcase the space’s historic fortification
  • Parade Ground: part of this green space will be re-graded for lawn sports
  • Play Lawn: 12 acres of lawn space that includes two new ball fields with clay infields. This new expanse will replace dilapidated field space that is currently only open to the public on a limited, permitted basis.  
  • Hammock Grove: a new shady space with thousands of new trees where visitors can stroll, bike or relax in a hammock
  • Historic District: key park amenities such as signage, seating and lighting will be added to enhance the visitor experience

What Are the Next Steps?

The West 8 Team is working on concluding design work and has concluded Environmental Review. Construction begins on 30 acres of the new park and public space in the spring.

During construction, Governors Island will remain open to the public during the public access season (Saturdays, Sundays and Holiday Mondays from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September). During construction, visitors can continue to enjoy the Historic District, the entire promenade, and Picnic Point.

Comments (22)

Comments —

  • Wow it’s funny! I really look forward to this park. I will has gone to my home in July so I’m lucky!

    By Hyun Jung, Ha on April 23, 2010 9:28 am

  • As a resident of Red Hook, my main concern is that the design “turns its back” on Red Hook – Governors Island’s closest neighbor.

    What eventuates in the “development zones” – something I’ve seen little talk of – will surely shape the interaction of the island with the rest of the city and its residents, and the fact that the largest slab of development zone basically creates a barrier or buffer between the island and Red Hook is troubling.

    When I look at the plan I see many wonderful things – but, from Red Hook’s perspective, I see them shielded behind a commercial “buffer zone” – who knows what structures or activities that will bring – that will, if my fears are realized, once again create a barrier between Red Hook, its waterfront and its intrinsic connection to Governors Island.

    By Adam on June 24, 2010 7:21 am

  • [...] a revitalization of its parks and attractions. You can find more information about the plans here, and on the Governors Island [...]

    By Cruisin’ on Governors Island « CUarts Blog on July 6, 2010 12:54 pm

  • There are many elements of the design that not only enhance the view of Governors Island from Red Hook, and but also create a stronger connection to Brooklyn. In fact, the closest part of the Island to Red Hook is actually the Great Promenade, which encircles the Island. Along the narrow body of water separating Governors Island from Red Hook (the Buttermilk Channel), the Great Promenade features an alee of mature, stately London plane trees, along with benches for sitting and watching Red Hook’s working waterfront, and paths for strolling and biking. In addition, the design enhances the area around the South Battery, also on the Buttermilk Channel, by replacing the asphalt parking lot surrounding it with a new green space right at the water’s edge. Another important park area right on the waterfront directly across from Red Hook, is the South Prow, which will replace the existing warehouses and parking lots. Finally, Yankee Pier will be a new gateway, where ferries from Brooklyn and other parts of the city will land in the heart of the Island.

    By Ellen on July 13, 2010 2:46 pm

  • Went to Governors Island with my family last weekend and we all loved it. I understand that the island has to be self-sustaining so the question is balance. Although it’s still in the works – there were a lot of areas for children’s activities. The biking was GREAT for families. Then at the small “beach” there was a concert in the evening – which is good for adults. The taxes they collected from the beer should be able to pay for the upkeep – LOL. Seeing the historic sites like the prison restored so that people can visit them would/will be great. Charging a nominal $1 or $2 fee to go in them (as well as the officer’s houses) wouldn’t be bad. Do anything to keep the ferries free though!! I also saw they are opening a high school there…. but will they run a special ferry for the students?? how would that work? I think a college using some of the space on the southern end would be a good idea as well.

    By Andre on August 11, 2010 8:48 am

  • Keep in mind that it would be very nice to create a space large enough to hear a concert given by the NY Philharmonic and other similar events.I think a set up like they have for the Boston Symphony in Tanglewood,Lenox MA where the shed would house the orchestra and the lawn for everyone who wants to picnic. I could see this turning into a world famous venue for world talent to do their stuff. What do you think?

    By Pascal Boylan on August 23, 2010 8:46 am

  • I insist that both the New York Conservancy & The AMNH should seriously consider the Island for
    a world-class oceanarium. It would
    be named for William Beebe, and the bathysphere would take pride of place.
    The Beebe Centre for Oceans, Seas and Rivers, could demonstrate how we interact, (or fail to) with the water
    on the planet which surrounds us, nourishes us. Tidal energy could be explored there, desalination (how little of the earth’s water is fresh!) and so on.
    More information can be gleaned on demand.

    By Charles Witteck on August 24, 2010 2:22 pm

  • Pascal,
    As you can see from the design, there are areas that could be used for large scale concerts. For example, the Parade Ground is a flexible space that could seat more than 10,000. In fact, the Philharmonic did set up a stage in 2008 on the Parade Ground for a July 4 concert here (it was unfortunately rained out) but there are spaces where concerts such as these could be performed.

    By Ellen on August 30, 2010 9:33 am

  • I don’t “insist” on anything as is stated in the comment shown in the pop-up. That “insist” comment was part of the Charles Witteck comment which followed mine P.B.

    By Pascal Boylan on December 22, 2010 7:48 am

  • I’ve been crazy for this island ever since I came over 3 years ago for Figment. I think the row of beautiful historic homes are gorgeous and a shame not to allow people to restore them and live in them. What an amazing new residential neighborhood this would make. It would also help fund the revitalization of the rest of the island. Anyway, I’m sure the deed requirements prohibit this. Just too bad.

    By Dearrick on March 20, 2011 5:39 pm

  • Followup to Aug 24th Comment.
    Several weeks ago, the New York Daily News reported there was many, many kinds of whales (and cetecea) just outside the harbor.
    I put this out there to reiterate my main point: The island should not be a mere reproduction of what can (or should be) gotten elsewhere in NYC.

    By Charles Witteck on March 22, 2011 12:20 pm

  • Glad to see the Island coming back to life. Was there during my Coast Guard career. Always enjoyed coming back.

    By J.J. O'Neil on April 22, 2011 4:23 pm

  • Do you have a schedule of events planned for this Summer and Autumn, I don’t see it posted anywhere. I am looking forward to visiting when you open next month. How is the little Kitten doing? She looks very cute.

    By Pascal Boylan on April 26, 2011 8:41 am

  • Our website, govisland.com, will be updated in 2 weeks with all of the summer events and programs. We will be open every Friday-Sunday and all holiday Mondays from May 27 – September 25!

    By Elizabeth on April 27, 2011 7:46 am

  • This Island is the BOMB! Keep it open and accessible to all New Yorkers!!!

    By Melch on June 14, 2011 9:09 am

  • Are there any jobs openings on this Island? I don’t see any businesses linked with the Island or anything, can someone tell me what exactly is on there and if there is some contact info. Thank you!

    By Lynn M. on August 6, 2011 2:01 pm

  • Thanks so much for your interest in the Island and for visiting our blog to find out more about all that is going on here. The Trust for Governors Island is not currently hiring for any open positions. In the future, should there be any openings, they will be posted on our website, http://www.govisland.com.

    By Elizabeth on August 8, 2011 7:09 am

  • i was the today with my kids and it was wonderful. Have three questions; any possibility of water taxis as an alternative to the ferry, any possibility of residential development on nthe island, and will the hills and “view channels” described as part of West 8’s plan still be a part of phase 1?

    By Ned on August 13, 2011 9:26 pm

  • So glad you had a great trip over to the Island – the weather was beautiful so I hope you had a great time doing all there is to do here. Commercial water taxis can (and often do) land at Governors Island, in addition to the Governors Island Ferry. Also, residential development is currently banned by the deed restrictions that transferred the Island to the State and City of New York. Housing is permitted however if it is connected to an educational, health or hospitality purpose. And finally, the Hills will be a part of future phases. The first phase focuses on Soissons Landing (the main entry point to the Island), green spaces in the Historic District and 22 new acres of space at Liggett Terrace, Play Lawn and Hammock Grove.

    By Elizabeth on August 15, 2011 8:46 am

  • Why not to create a centre for dutch culture on governors island a centre where you can find all your information about dutch design, dutch architecture, dutch fashion design, dutch culture, dutch history, dutch art……a centre what tell us about the past of governors island and the Dutch……

    By Kees van Twist on September 28, 2011 8:33 pm

  • Hope this isn’t another case of elitist park overdevelopment courtesy of the Bloomberg administration. Seems redevelopment is not currently done gently in NYC. Check out Coney Island, or the removal of the pier shed/warehouses for Bklyn Bridge Park wiping out any sense of working waterfront history and creating slabs in the river facing Governors Island. Could have had alternate recycled uses….

    By Adam on November 12, 2011 1:29 pm

  • Hello. I’m a Graduate student, majoring in Architecture at Graduate School Engineering, Mie University, Japan.
    I’ve never been to Governors Island, but I’m very interested in your development project and I’d like to propose some facility needed in the future developments. We have discussed this in the lecture course for Facility Management in this semester. And, I’d like to propose facilities in relations to New York features such as modern arts, performing arts and skyscrapers which can be called the symbol of NY. I intend to send a proposal sheet within several weeks. I’d be delighted if you go through it.

    Sincerely yours

    Reiko Hara
    (Graduate student in Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, Japan)

    By Reiko Hara on February 3, 2012 5:13 am

Comments —

Tell Us What You Think!