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Inside Governors Island's Forbidden Zone, Where Military Buildings Beautifully Crumble

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Inside Governors Island's Forbidden Zone, Where Military Buildings Beautifully Crumble

Half a mile from Manhattanâs southern coast, Governors Island has lain as an oasis free of the rampant private development that characterizes most of New York City. Its open fields and panoramic views have been preserved largely due to the islandâs history as a military post. It belonged to the U.S. Army until 1966, when it was given to the Coast Guard, who held onto it for another 30 years. In 2001, the upper half of the island was entrusted to the National Parks Service to preserve its two historic forts. In 2003, the rest of the island was given to the people of New York.Today, Governors Island serves as a public park and summer reprieve for New Yorkers, though much of the lower half is still restricted to the public due to the areaâs decommissioned buildings, which are slated for demolition. Many of these buildings were constructed by the Coast Guard for its 3,500 servicemembers and families who were stationed on the island, and have stood in neglect for the last 16 years. During that time, roofs have collapsed, plants have coursed through and seagulls have taken over. — Gothamist

Gothamist Staff

Published Jun 19, 2012

Modified Jun 19, 2012

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If you were hanging out on Governors Island this weekend for that Jazz Age Lawn Party, chances are you were too busy dancing the Charleston to do much exploring. But Arvind Dilawar, a writer/editor living in Brooklyn, recently poked around a restricted part of the island, and came back with these beautiful photos of military buildings slated for demolition. Click through for Dilawar's guided tour of the island's Post-Apocalyptic Forbidden Zone.