Governor's Island Plan

Governor's Island is naturally divisible into two parts, the original land mass at the northern end and the landfill area to the south.

The Historic District, an area of approximately 93 acres to the north, will be developed as a public park. Selected, mostly newer buildings within the Historic District will be removed in order to increase the park area, especially at the islandŐs perimeter. The already-designated NYC historic landmarks: Castle Williams, Old Fort Jay, South Battery, Admiral's Quarters, Block House and GovernorŐs House, will be open to the public. The remaining un-designated buildings on the north side of Division Street will house an Institute of International Studies administered by a New York academic institution. McKim Mead & White's enormous Liggett Hall Barracks will be used for offices and will act as the symbolic core of the Institute. The historic homes and Colonel's Row houses will become housing for visiting scholars.

Primary access to the island will be by ferry terminating at a new harbor on the IslandŐs western shore. A harborside plaza, with unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will be populated with emblems of the Nations and will serve as a common ground between Institute of International Studies and the United Nations. Building 550, adjacent to the harbor, will be converted into a hotel for the short-term visitors. A heliport is located on the eastern shore.

The United Nations complex is conceived as a big "tent" that will occupy the southern part of the island, an area of approximately 82 acres. To accommodate the new structure, all of the existing buildings on the southern side - none of them of any historical or architectural significance - will be demolished. A "Barrier Reef" around this portion of the island forms a natural defensive perimeter.

The existing small boat harbor between the island and Brooklyn Battery tunnel air tower will remain for use by the public. Service to the Island will be via a dock on the Buttermilk Channel. In the future, it may also be possible to provide access to the island from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. Transportation on island will be limited to vehicles powered by electricity.