(JUNE 2026 – the info from the Fall 2025 update still applies)
Governors Island – Climate Weak or We know what you did this Summer
[Images added April 2026]
Our playful subject line was partially inspired by the upcoming Climate Week with events planned for GI.
Is protecting Governors Island from an ill-conceived Manhattanization all that important? A visit to this incredibly unique green urban refuge for people and wildlife should convince anyone that it is. Free of high-rise high density development and traffic GI currently serves as a safe, pastoral experience for reportedly a million visitors a year – including thousands of NYC children and their families. GI is home to an impressive array of environmental, educational, and arts projects as well as first rate fitness and recreation. Our efforts are part of a city wide resistance against greedy colonization of neighborhoods and public land
While the Trust for Governors Island (TGI) has filled us in regarding the numerous worthwhile things they managed on the island this Summer there are also these. We hate to put our hater on, but what the heck. Scroll/swipe down for details and images.
Below:
1) Trees not Towers! Good bye sky – new school building is a reality check.
2) Distressing Urban Farm report
3) Glyphosate (‘Roundup’) on GI!
4) Crazy (?) new electric substation plan
5) The new ferry
What to do? For now please sign up to our email list and continue to spread the word.
– View and share The Future of Governors Island? – M.A.G.I.C. 6 minute presentation
– Share this update.
– Email signup: https://govislandcoalition.org/magic-email-list
– https://www.instagram.com/gi_coalition
– https://www.facebook.com/GovIsleCoalition
– https://www.facebook.com/groups/1295621027464162 (discussions)
– https://twitter.com/gi_coalition
Thanks,
Metro Area Governors Island Coalition (M.A.G.I.C.)
https://govislandcoalition.org
governorsislandcoalitionATgmail.com
———–
1) Trees not Towers! Reality check
It is well known that maximizing adaptive reuse and keeping development low-rise on Governors Island is a key public concern.
The new Harbor School expansion didn’t seem so bad on paper, but now seeing it shoot skyward is serving as a reality check. At an unnecessarily tall 75ft it eliminates Liggett Terrace’s piece of western vista , and reality check – this is at only ONE THIRD the height of the Trust’s planned Manhattanization of the southern portion of Governors Island. Also it is 5 feet higher than GI’s ‘Outlook Hill.’
The 2021 M.A.G.I.C. alternative visualization included a swimming pool facility for the Harbor School at that site. Apparently the Trust agreed. But M.A.G.I.C.’s version was only around 2 stories high. We were stonewalled by all who we approached for info during the new building design process. Apparently projects under the School Construction Authority do not require transparency or public input.
It is disappointing that the Harbor School has joined the cast of Governors Island bad actors with this design.
Image added from 4-2-2026:
Image added from 3-8-2026:
Image added from 4-2-2026
^^top
2) Governors Island Urban Farm Report – Putting farmers, students, visitors in harms way?
Reportedly this is the last season for Governors Island’s awesome under-prioritized unified urban farm. In order to make way for construction staging for a ‘Center for Climate solutions’ GrowNYC is being pushed to the site of massive glyphosate (aka ‘Roundup’) pesticide contamination and the Earth Matter relocation is to be wrapped around a new massive electrical substation. (See sections 3 and 4 below.) The Bee Conservancy was pushed out last year.
PROPOSAL [Sept 2025]:
AS PLANNED NEW SITES ARE UNWORKABLE, PUSH BACK ANY GI FARM RELOCATIONS FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER SEASON.
That the USDA requires waiting 3 years after land has been sprayed with pesticide before a farm can be re-certified organic speaks to the unacceptability of the current plan.
GrowNYC current location [Sept 2025]
^^top
3) Highly Toxic Glyphosate on environmentally themed Governors Island!
Summer 2025, in the epic struggle against invasive weeds on GI the Trust for Governors Island applied deadly glyphosate (aka ‘Roundup’) pesticide all around Fort Jay and in the ‘hills’ area. Glyphosate, a known carcinogen and subject of many lawsuits, is banned in New York City parks (GI is not legally dedicated parkland). Apparently environmentally friendly methods such as grazing sheep and ground coverings didn’t scale well. Pesticide Warning signs were up for only 24 hours after application. Weeks later, vague signage was added after some inquiries. Picnic tables and GrowNYC’s future growing area should not be where they are!
More info about glyphosate:
https://usrtk.org/pesticides/glyphosate-health-concerns
Future location of GrowNYC farm? (!)
Future location of GrowNYC farm? (!) [Sept 2025]
Not an acceptable location for a farm or picnic tables… [Sept 2025]
Weeks later, these signs appeared [Sept 2025]
And then a bit more 9-29-2025:
9-29-2025
During ‘Pumpkin Point’ event 10/25/2025
^^top
4) Crazy(?) new electric substation plan
The Trust is currently seeking zoning certification to facilitate the development of a very powerful electric utility substation in the eastern development zone in order to supply power to planned massive development. The substation zoning proposal and plan documents: https://zap.planning.nyc.gov/projects/2025M0365
a) Location:
– The location is right next to the ‘park’ ( being referred to as ‘central open space’) and right on top of the new fracked gas line installed in 2022. It’s also right in the planned Earth Matter relocation.
– The ‘radius’ (power supplied area) goes well into the supposed ‘park’ (actually zoned C4-1 for high-rise commercial use)
– An apparent reason for choice of location is due to it being out of preliminary flooding area.
b) Building Design:
– Height 37ft
– Substation on 2nd floor to avoid flooding
– TGI takes another piece of M.A.G.I.C. ‘s 2021 visualization in establishing a south island visitor center which would be on the first floor and adding a green roof.
From https://govislandcoalition.org/a-magic-plan :
“South Island Pavilion
Restrooms, snack bar, info center, first aid . . .
Low-rise, built-in-to-hill type design – or perhaps rehabilitate the building currently in that area.”
c) Some of the impacts:
– It seems irresponsible to place a visitor hub under huge transformers and to subject the park and Earth Matter to the transformer noise and electromagnetic fields etc.
– Substations generate Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), and while studies show that levels near substations are generally within safe limits, some individuals may be sensitive to EMFs and choose to live further away.
– Substations can generate noise from transformers and other equipment, particularly during peak load times.
– Visual Impact: Substations, especially larger ones, can have a visual impact on the landscape.
d) Misc
From zoning application Waterfront Revitalization Program (WRP) Assessment:
– D: Funding for Construction: FEMA Public Assistance
– F. 1.1: Encourage commercial and **residential** redevelopment in appropriate Coastal Zone areas.
[ **Deed violations likely**]
– The Applicant seeks a Chair certification to facilitate the development (No public participation it seems.)
Images added from 4-4-2026. (This is what 40ft looks like)
4-4-2026:
4-4-2026:
^^top
5) New ferry is now active.
[June 2026 update: passenger experience has improved since opening main deck to pedestrians. ]
So far unpopular [Sept 2025] with island regulars, the ‘Harbor Charger’ was delivered a year behind schedule and finally launched after several more months of working out problems and numerous inspections. Great that it’s electric hybrid, but it’s motor vehicle centric layout is out of touch with the day-to-day operation and needs of Governors Island. Excluded are accommodation for large crowds and bicycles. Gone are the Lt. Samuel S. Coursen’s covered motor vehicle decks which were easily adaptable for and regularly utilized by pedestrians, bikes, strollers – all of which are now squeezed to one side, increasing congestion and boarding/disembarking times during peak crowds. And lacking in ferry related news from the Trust is appreciation or acknowledgement of public affection for the Lt. Samuel S. Coursen which has ferried us since 1956 and will be missed! 
Fyi, last week the Coursen was fired up to step in when the Charger sucked in an old tire and broke down.
The Harbor Charger
The Lt. Samuel S. Coursen
