hello NYC,
Happy Juneteenth!
No, you’re not imagining things – Metro Area Governors Island Coalition (M.A.G.I.C.) updates are few and far between. We know everyone has a lot going on.
Meanwhile, the “The Future of Governors Island? – M.A.G.I.C. 6 minute presentation” is still a great share regarding the situation on Governors Island.
In this update:
1) 2025 NYC Candidate Highlights
2) Legal update
3) Regarding the new Harbor School building
4) Some progress and next steps
1) M.A.G.I.C. 2025 NYC Candidate Highlights
CITY COUNCIL MANHATTAN DISTRICT 1 (GI’s district):
– Christopher Marte: has consistently been supportive of M.A.G.I.C.’s efforts and even joined the lawsuit against the egregious 2021 upzoning.
MAYORAL:
– Zohran Mamdani: Will increase prioritization of NYC Parks and Open Space.
– Brad Lander: One of the only 2 City Council members (along with Inez Barron) to Vote AGAINST the egregious 2021 GI upzoning.
– Michael Blake: Gets it concerning NYC Parks and Open Space.
MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT:
Brad Hoylman-Sigal: Personally called M.A.G.I.C. regarding Governors Island early in our efforts and has stayed in the loop.
2) Legal Update:
Late last year the NYS Court of Appeals declined to hear our case. No reason was given.
This was the last option for our Article 78 lawsuit seeking to overturn the egregious 2021 Governors Island upzoning – essentially the city’s in-writing plan on how the ‘Trust’ plans to violate the Governors Island Deed, with amongst other things, private residential development and prohibited manufacturing.
As is typical, the courts system failed to support the public interest in favoring the BS presented by controlling interests. The courts never addressed our actual argument was essentially regarding the verb – the City’s approval of zoning that invites violations to covenants by which they are bound (the Deed) – not the noun (the zoning itself) which the City’s attorneys insisted focusing on – that the issue was ‘not ripe’ etc.
3) Regarding the new Harbor School building:
The Trust took up M.A.G.I.C.’s idea of where to place a pool facility for the Harbor School. The building is unnecessarily high (75ft with rooftop obstructions?), but not so far from M.A.G.I.C.’s expressed height guidelines which are from the the 2013 Special zoning of the historic district (35ft for most buildings and 60ft for some). M.A.G.I.C. was stonewalled by all who we approached for info during the design process. Apparently projects under the School Construction Authority do not require public input.
4) Some progress and next steps:
Through ongoing networking it seems we’ve been making some progress in affecting plans on GI – particularly related to the planned Center For Climate Solutions. Also, planning for the next M.A.G.I.C. initiative has been underway. More on that hopefully soon.
For now keep sharing the video!
“The Future of Governors Island? – M.A.G.I.C. 6 minute presentation”
Thanks and stay in touch,
Roger Manning
Co-founder
Metro Area Governors Island Coalition (M.A.G.I.C.)
https://govislandcoalition.org
governorsislandcoalition @ gmail.com
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