For a map of Governors Island that outlines areas slated for demolition, click here.

The following is the President’s Report from the GIPEC Board of Directors Meeting on April 10th.

Good morning.

I first want to thank the Board for their votes this morning on the Harbor School matter, our Budgets and our Turner Contract Amendment.

In addition to those items I would like to take this opportunity to update the directors on incredible momentum that has built on Governors Island over the past year.

As you remember, in the fall of 2006, I introduced GIPEC’s four key strategies for Governors Island. These strategies remain the core of what we do on Governors Island and I am happy to report that there has been a great deal of progress on all fronts. The 4 strategies are:

1. Creating a world-class park and open space on the Island;
2. Expanding early signature uses and visitation to the Island;
3. Investing in historic stabilization, Island infrastructure and operations; and
4. Executing a multi-phased, mixed-use development strategy.

1. World-class park and open space

As you know, the creation of this space will be the first phase in our reactivation of the Island and will be the catalyst to entice future users to the Island. We envision the park as a fabulous, new destination park for New York and the region, offering unique activities and programs.

Design of the new park and promenade by West 8 and the rest of our design team, will begin this fall. We have already commenced drafting the West 8 contract and will return to the Board at a future meeting to approve that contract.

As we move forward and design the park and promenade, we will look to you and the public for ideas of what they would like to see in these places in the future. On the Island this summer, there will be opportunities for the public to share their thoughts and ideas with us. We will also continue to work with community boards, the Island’s Advisory Council, the Governors Island Alliance, elected officials, and all constituents, in the design of the new park and promenade.

2. Early Signature Uses

Secondly, we have made great strides in expanding early signature uses of Governors Island.

At this meeting, you have approved the capital budget that will allow GIEPC to begin demolition of non-historic structures on the Island. As you are aware, 80 acres of the Island are closed to the public due to safety concerns regarding these decrepit buildings.

By demolishing these non-historic, non-contributing structures, we will create two additional acres of open space in the Historic District on the Parade Grounds, and begin to open space on the southern portion of the Island. This will help GIPEC to fulfill its obligation to increase public access to the Island. This is a sign of momentum on the Island, and we look forward to opening more of the southern portion of the Island to the public in 2009 once demolition on certain areas has been completed.

Earlier this week, GIPEC announced that the New York Philharmonic will play a free evening concert on the Island this July. Governors Island will now become a part of more than four decade old tradition in New York City of providing evenings of free music in some of the City’s most amazing parks. We are confident that the concert will help us achieve our goal of welcoming more than 75,000 visitors to the Island during our open season.

The Island will also be a site of Olafur Eliasson’s “New York City Waterfalls” installation. Beginning in July, a 120 foot waterfall will cascade off of Governors Island into the Harbor. We are again confident that this incredible public art project will be a significant visitor draw.

Governors Island will be open for more hours and days than ever before. We will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this summer as opposed to just Saturdays and Sundays last summer. In addition, we will extend the public hours to 7:00 PM from 5:00 PM and our season will last until October 5th, allowing visitors to explore and enjoy the Island at different times of the day and year.

We continue to forge partnerships with cultural organizations and others to create programming which visitors of all ages can enjoy. In a few weeks, we will release our entire summer schedule to the Board and the public.

3. Investments in Ongoing operations and historic stabilization of structures on the Island

We continue to invest in seawall repair, dock upkeep, and all other infrastructure and building needs.

As of April 2008, GIPEC had a total budgeted allocation of $119 million in Capital Funding from the City and State.

These funds are critical to historic stabilization and upkeep of the Island.

To date, we have completed a full analysis of our on-island infrastructure. For the first time, we have a full sense of where our infrastructure is on the Island, and the physical condition of that infrastructure. Using that information, we have prioritized approximately $20 million for replacement-in-kind of pipes and other elements that are rated as “failed” or “nearing failure”. We will begin this effort with existing allocated capital funds, and we will supplement these funds with reprogrammed historic stabilization funds depending on levels of need and levels of deterioration.

In the Historic District, stabilization is continuing on all masonry buildings, and exterior stabilization on Colonels Row has begun and will continue into this summer. By the end of the calendar year, all slate roofs in the National Historic District will have been repaired.

Last year, the Board approved funds to create a waiting room in the Battery Maritime Building in order to enhance the visitor experience. I am pleased to report that the waiting room has been completed and will open in time for the beginning of our open access season on May 31st.

4. Mixed Use Development Strategy

Finally, I would also like to update you on the fourth part of our strategy, which is to create a place of mixed-use development. GIPEC has finalized the lease with the New York School Construction Authority (SCA) for the New York Harbor School. The lease will be finalized following the approval of both the ESDC board and the Public Authorities Control Board. Both are expected in the coming weeks.

As we have continually noted, we envision Governors Island as a place with a mix of tenants, over time. We are working hard toward this goal and are pleased that the Harbor School is a great first step.

We continue to receive interest from a variety of potential tenants. We speak with these groups on an ongoing basis and look forward to issuing targeted RFPs in the future to which interested parties can respond.

Governors Island is a challenging project, and there is a real sense of momentum around what is happening here. It is truly my privilege to be able to report progress in each of these key areas. I am grateful to the Board for their continued efforts, and I am hopeful that you will visit the Island in our open season to share in the success.