Gothamist Visits Governors Island

My Dad was stationed with the first posting of Coast Guard people when the Army gave the island to the USCG in 1966. We lived in Building 111, on the side facing Manhattan (in what's now part of the "historical district") from 1966 til 1968. Needless to say, we had a great view of Lower Manhattan-especially at night!

I would say tear down the "Capeharts", which are those ugly Y-shaped high rises on the south side of the island facing Liberty Island, as soon as possible. Even though I haven't been on-island since the early 1970s, the entire south end looks like it was totally over-developed before the CG left. Tear it down, and create open space!

Some Governors Island trivia-the island had its own public elementary school, PS 26, but anyone above Grade 6 was put on a bus every morning, loaded on the ferry, and then driving up FDR Drive to East 20th, where we were dropped off at Simon Baruch (JHS 104). We always waited at the Manhattan terminal to pick up the odd kid or two who lived on Liberty Island, as the National Park Service had a deal with the Coast Guard to give their kids a lift. Catholic kids were bussed to "Epiphany", which was also on the lower East Side somewhere around 23rd street.

But the GI high school kids had a really long commute-they got on a bus, took the ferry to Manhattan, drove next door to the Staten Island Ferry terminal, got on that boat, and cruised over to SI, to Wagner HS.

Another bit of trivia...comedy team Tom and Dick Smothers were both born on the island when their dad, an Army man, was posted there.

The majority of the island (150 acres) is adminstered by the City and State of New York through the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC). www.govisland.com.

The historic fortifications, Fort Jay and Castle Williams along with a surrounding 22 acres is adminstered by the National Park Service as the Governors Island National Monument.

The 92 acre national historic landmark district includes about 62 historic structures that include all of the national monument and half of GIPEC's holdings.

Unfortunately, due to the size of guided tours

and the very limited time frame in which to offer guided tours on the island, trying to get 60-80 people into and out of a historic residence in a reasonable time during the National Park Service's weekday guided tours just isn't possible.

The same goes for viewing the southside of the island, where the condition of the more modern military construction would preclude going inside. The Burger King is a novelty, but for most visitors, peering through the windows of a condemned building after a nearly mile hike would be disapointing.

For weekend visitors to the island there are several buildings that can be entered including the Commanding Officer's home, Quarters 408 - a residence on Colonels' Row and Quarters 14 in Nolan Park. Visitors can also see the southside of the island, the location of a future 40 acre park via tram or bus tour.

But as I write this, there is only two more ferry runs to the island this summer.

If you missed it, the island will be open one last time this season for "openhousenewyork" on Saturday and Sunday, October 6-7, 2007. Ferry service will be hourly from 10 AM to 2 PM. Visit http://www.govisland.com/ or www.nps.gov/gois for more information.

By the way, here's the website addy:

http://www.govisland.com/

Peter,

When I went there today based on Gothamist's recommendation, they strongly recommended that you address how you want the city/state to use this public space by going to their website and emailing them. They said they read every email they receive so if you're not satisfy the direction where all this is heading then you should voice your concerns. It's a lot easier just sitting back and complaining.

It is a disgrace for the property to just sit there uselessly.

Wow, try saying that three times fast....

"There is one way to access the island on is on the Governors Island ferry"