(Also See: Letter to CB1 )
Confirmed?: Climate Center’s primary role is to serve as an anchor to development. 75% of GI development zone would be open to high-rise commercial development
In other words, the view that the actual intention here is not climate research or supporting GI, but to provide an “anchor tenant” with which to accommodate major developers is further supported by the Trust’s presentation. The other main developer incentive is the excessive building heights provided by the 2021 upzoning. While there is room for a Climate Center in some form on Governors Island, it should not be at the expense of the incredibly unique green urban refuge, free of high-rise high density development and traffic that currently serves as a safe, pastoral experience for NYC children and their families and provides space for environmental, educational, arts, and historic projects.
( M.A.G.I.C. Alternative South Island Visualization )
When Governors Island was turned over to NYC in 2003, people worked very hard to have it be a public place and not fall into the hands of private developers. The resulting 2003 Deed set out to “ensure the protection and preservation of the natural, cultural and historic qualities of Governors Island,” so that the Island would serve as “an educational and civic resource of special historic character and as a recreational and open space resource.”
The intent did NOT include:
– Essentially privatizing the island by turning it into a research campus
– Fueling the city’s economic engine. “One billion dollars and 7,000 Jobs”? Really? Where is the data behind that? And the GI deed requires that any income generated on Governors Island, “shall be applied solely” to the operation of Governors Island.
The 2021 upzoning currently facing a legal challenge wasn’t necessary to bring in a “Center for Climate Solutions”, but the center was needed to sell the upzoning. Simply extending the special zoning applied to the GI historic district in 2013 would have been more than adequate.
The Trust for Governors Island public presentation of 3 proposed plans for a much hyped “Center for Climate Solutions” on Governors Island left out the big question – should there even be such a project on GI? Is that the best use of GI? Why is a private development the only option presented for the future of GI? (See M.A.G.I.C. handout below.)
Only a vastly stripped down “phase one” portion of each of the 3 proposals was presented. This gave some a false impression that the climate center plan has been scaled back – much less scary. But seeing the rest of the information will likely be very concerning with regard to out-of-scale privatization on GI.
A major aspect is that, for at least “phase one”, only 25% of the 33 acres in the designated development zones are being used for the climate center (see map below). 75% will involve future RPFs, all of which can be large non-academic and commercial. This confirms the Trust’s “anchor tenant” approach. The climate and education cards have been played, now big real estate could land-grab the rest?
After an introductory presentation, attendees were divided into breakout rooms to see the 3 proposals, “presented ‘blindly,’ with the names of finalist teams redacted.” There was Q & A and invitation for input. Much of the discussion centered around educational and research curriculum. There was strong room disapproval with proposal #3’s 22 story tower – twice the height of Liggett Hall and 3x that of Outlook Hill. For at least phase one, none of the structures in the other two proposals exceeded 10 stories. None of structures in the plan labeled “proposal #1” exceeded 40 ft (a demand from M.A.G.I.C.). There was no mention of the 200 parking spaces allowed by the 2021 rezoning.
M.A.G.I.C. commented regarding issues in the above paragraphs. We’ve been told that this Community Briefing came about due to Community Board 1 insistence on increased public review and input for development on GI. There will be a repeat of the event on Nov 14th.
Below is text of a flyer given to several public officials at the briefing.
Download the PDF HERE.
Governors Island
The Future of “Our Country Place In The City”?
While there is room for a Climate Center in some form on Governors Island, it should not be at the expense of the incredibly unique green urban refuge, free of high-rise high density development and traffic that currently serves as a safe, pastoral experience for NYC children and their families and provides space for environmental, educational, and arts projects.
When Governors Island was turned over to NYC in 2003, people worked very hard to have it be a public place and not fall into the hands of private developers.The resulting 2003 Deed set out to “ensure the protection and preservation of the natural, cultural and historic qualities of Governors Island,” so that the Island would serve as “an educational and civic resource of special historic character and as a recreational and open space resource.”
The intent did NOT include:
– Essentially privatizing the island by turning it into a research campus
– Fueling the city’s economic engine. “One billion dollars and 7,000 Jobs”? Really? Where is the data behind that? And the GI deed requires that any income generated on Governors Island, “shall be applied solely” to the operation of Governors Island.
The 2021 upzoning currently facing a legal challenge wasn’t necessary to bring in a “Center for Climate Solutions”, but the center was needed to sell the upzoning. Simply extending the special zoning applied to the GI historic district in 2013 would have been more than adequate.The actual intention here is not climate research or supporting GI, but to provide an “anchor tenant” with which to attract major developers. The other main developer incentive is the excessive building heights provided by the 2021 upzoning.
GI New York’s “country place in the city ” serves as a park even in places with buildings. Children experience a freedom unlike anywhere else in the city and New Yorkers of all income levels from all boroughs can afford a break from the stress of the city.
But the 2021 rezoning destroys this by, amongst other things:
– Allowing 225ft-plus building heights and high density development 3 times the height of GI’s Outlook Hill on an island of completely low-rise structures (historic and other), vast open green spaces, and countless mature trees
– Creating parking for 200 vehicles on a traffic free island.
Everyday new yorkers enjoying GI are shocked and dismayed when told of the drastic 2021 upzoning. A frequent response is “why Can’t we have this ONE place?!”
What is the best use of GI? the community sign-on statement signed by over 70 organizations and the “Alternative South Island Visualization” on the M.A.G.I.C. website provide answers.