April 2023 M.A.G.I.C. Update

 

The coming year will be critical to the future of Governors Island. If possible please Help spread the word regarding the issues and our efforts. More info and social media links on our homepage. 

 

1) Legal Update

2) Stop the Chop(pers)

3) Governors Island infrastructure report

 

Watch for news very soon regarding the lawsuit to overturn the 2021 Governors Island rezoning.

Our aim is to nullify a rezoning that would undermine the purpose and protections agreed upon and outlined in the 2003 Deed when the island was acquired by the city. There are also environmental, social and sustainability concerns. M.A.G.I.C. is working to establish zoning that supports low rise, non-speculative development while maintaining Governors Island as the uniquely open and natural public resource that that has benefited millions of New Yorkers since it was thoughtfully established in 2003.  

 

As Community Board 1 pointed out in their Dec 2020 resolution, the development allowed by then proposed rezoning is nearly three times larger than the public’s original understanding of what it would be, “and the drastic increase in scale of development is unacceptable.”

 

We see the Center for Climate Solutions proposed for the island as a “trojan horse” used to help sell the unpopular rezoning to the public. Indeed, public hearings had very few speaking in favor of the rezoning other than groups reliant on the Trust for space on the island. And those testimonies focused on the Climate Center concept while neglecting to address details of the zoning. (Testimonies at the City Council hearing were 57 against, 23 in favor.) 

 

Lawsuit and legal fund info HERE

 

 

Stop The Chop NY/NJ is a grassroots organization formed to ban nonessential helicopter flights over the NY Metropolitan Area. M.A.G.I.C. has now been added to their long list of supporting organizations and public officials.

 

On Saturday, April 22nd Stop The Chop NY/NJ will be flyering during Earth Day events on Governors Island. More info and sign-up HERE!

 

 

3) Governors Island infrastructure work (Some photos below).

 Since the 2021 rezoning, before any new projects confirmed:

 

 a) In anticipation of massive development, a new massive sewer line with huge 36inch pipes was installed along the eastern development zone extending into the historic district. The wastewater will go to the already ailing Red Hook water treatment plant.

 

 b) Installation of new gas lines entering from Brooklyn through the eastern development zone and going north along its western side into the historic district with connections currently being installed in Colonels Row. The gas will come from National Grid which is known for ‘fracked’ gas – hardly in the spirit of supposedly environmentally conscious development. Meanwhile, in December 2021, the New York City Council passed legislation to phase fossil fuels out of new construction starting in 2024.

 

 c) A new island-wide outdoor lighting plan announced, debated, somewhat modified (thanks to your particpation), and approved by Landmarks Preservation Commission.

 

 d) New water lines and fire hydrants.

 

 e) Tango pier (eastern development zone) demolition and replacement.

 

Thanks and see you on the island!

 

Roger Manning

co-founder

Metro Area Governors Island Coalition (M.A.G.I.C.)

governorsislandcoalition @ gmail.com