The city is about to approve a rezoning proposal that divides Governors Island in half – one half parkland and the other half commercial with an emphasis on climate research. It seems like a laudable proposal, but a group called Metro Area Governors Island Coalition (M.A.G.I.C.)has come out with an alternate plan.
Here is what they say:
1. Bringing in high-density high-rise development is not the best use of this unique space that belongs to all New Yorkers. New Yorkers have a serious need for the welcoming, open, expansive, parkland quality (even in areas with buildings) that Governors Island provides and really isn’t available elsewhere in the city.
2) The main rationale for this intrusive project–financial self-sufficiency for Governors Island – is not justified. The Trust’s own speculative projections (based on pre-covid conditions) state that financial self-sufficiency wouldn’t be achieved until 2050. Meanwhile it’ll cost taxpayers billions.
Also, as Manhattan Community Board 1 points out, the Trust has not provided enough information to evaluate the project. As a City Planning Commissioner said at the March 1st public review, this project is akin to the City giving the Trust a blank check for an unspecified project.
3) In the review of the rezoning plan, any discussion regarding a climate research center is irrelevant, misleading, and should be termed off-topic. This is a proposal to upzone the south island, period. There is nothing legally requiring that a climate center be the result. Mainly it serves as a potential “anchor tenant” in order to attract developers and sell the upzoning to the public. In fact, GI is already productive as a climate hub, thanks to the work of Earth Matter, GrowNYC, Billion Oyster Project, the Harbor School and others. Five City Planning Commissioners noted that there is no Request For Proposals (RFP) in place to legally require that a climate center be built.
4) This is an awful rush and unfair. Land Use public hearings being held virtually due to COVID-19 are too difficult for authentic public participation and should be suspended. There is precedent for this: the ULURP process is currently halted in two Brooklyn rezonings, due to the Voice of Gowanus and MTOPP (Brooklyn Botanical Gardens area).
5) “Open space” is not just pedestrian access, as TGI is selling it, but involves sky and the feeling of openness. The “increased open space” that TGI is presenting is “woven open space similar to Battery Park City.” It’s boxed in by 10–30 story buildings and non-public areas.
6) Any new building on Governors Island should be kept to a minimum and not exceed the four story height of buildings in the historic district or the 35-foot height limit in the current zoning.
More here https://govislandcoalition.org/#presentation
Author
George Fiala has worked in radio, newspapers and direct marketing his whole life, except for when he was a vendor at Shea Stadium, pizza and cheesesteak maker in Lancaster, PA, and an occasional comic book dealer. He studied English and drinking in college, international relations at the New School, and in his spare time plays drums and fixes pinball machines.
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