Public Offers Ideas for Its Fantasy Island

 by Barry Owens

It's been a Dutch settlement, an Army outpost and home to the northeast headquarters of the United States Coast Guard. But for the dozens of dreamers who landed on its shores on a recent balmy evening, Governors Island was a blank slate. They'd been invited to share their vision of the island's future. And no idea was too far-fetched.

The National Park Service offers weekday guided tours of Governors Island. Here, a group that would later pitch ideas for the island's future uses learns about its past. Photo: Allan Tannenbaum

A wide range of utopian fantasies-from a retirement community shielded from the elements by a glass dome, to a weather station, an organic farm, and vineyards-were inspired by the vacant buildings and open land on this island that lies just a five minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan.

"Governors Island wine. Why not?" asked Brian Stokle, an urban planning student at Columbia University who had brought along a list of ideas he hoped would be considered for the island. He had also brought business cards that he pressed into the hands of the dozens of planners, designers and consultants working with the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC), a city-state agency responsible for the redevelopment of much of the island.

GIPEC was soliciting ideas from the public for future

uses of the island which the agency may incorporate into the master plan that it is scheduled to present next year.

"We're not going to study this to death," said James Lima, the corporation's president. "We hope this is a swift process, for government time anyway."

The island, abandoned by the Coast Guard in 1997, was sold by the federal government back to New York state in January 2003 for $1. Twenty-two acres on the island's north end, including Fort Jay and Castle Williams, were designated the Governors Island National Monument, to be administered by the National Park Service. That end of the island holds most of the historic halls and houses where planners envision boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and spas. They are also considering a conference center, art galleries and academic institutions.

"I didn't hear anything about homeland security, port protection or Wall Street protection," said one of the two dozen participants who presented their ideas following round-table discussions. "I want an armed military presence restored on the island."

Others suggested that the island host childrens' camps, an international youth hostel, visiting scholars and programs for artists-in-residence.

"I think the castle would make a great Globe Theater," said one participant.

Nearly all of those who spoke called for greater access to the island, with more frequent ferry service. And many suggested the island remain car-free and rely on electric buses and rickshaws for transportation.

Terms of the island's sale forbid permanent housing, as well as casinos, factories, parking lots and power plants. Sixty acres of the park must be dedicated to parks or education and another 30 for cultural purposes.

The island is open to the public on a limited basis; tours are given during the week and on Saturdays visitors can walk around the island themselves.

As Brian Stokle caught the ferry back to Manhattan, he took in the view from the port side of Liberty and Ellis Islands.

"To have another island out here that is just a destination for tourists would be a real missed opportunity," he said.