For immediate release:
Friday, July 25, 2008

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano, 212-440-2205 (office)/914-830-1565 (cell)


Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Announces $500,000 Grant for Governors Island  
Grant to fund improvements to Governors Island pier; will allow historic and educational vessels to land on the Island
 

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer today announced a $500,000 grant to the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC). The grant will be used to make improvements to Yankee Pier, on the Buttermilk Channel side of Governors Island.

“Governors Island is a tremendous resource for Manhattan and indeed all of New York City,” said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. “We are pleased to provide this grant to upgrade one of the Island’s piers. These improvements will provide New Yorkers with additional educational opportunities to learn about the Island and its unique connection to New York Harbor.”

Improvements to Yankee Pier will include purchasing and installing new fenders on the dock, putting up new fence, repainting the pier surface, and lighting the dock appropriately. The improvements will allow historic and educational ships to land on the Island.

Borough President Stringer previously provided another $500,000 grant for the Governors Island Ferry Waiting Room. The waiting room opened in the historic Battery maritime Building on May 31st, and provides a place for visitors to gather information on Governors Island and wait for the ferry.

“We are grateful to Borough President Scott Stringer for funding these much-needed improvements to Yankee Pier,” said GIPEC Chair Avi Schick “These improvements will allow historic ships to dock on the Island in time for the 2009 quadricentennial celebrations.”

The quadricentennial will mark the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson sailing into New York Harbor. The improvements to Yankee Pier will allow historic ships, sloops, sailing vessels and educational boats to dock on the Island for the first time.

"Governors Island will be a great part of the quadricentennial celebrations with speical emphasis on our Dutch roots and close relationship with the Netherlands," said Tara Sullivan, Executive Director of the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. "This generous grant from Borough President Stringer will allow the Island's visitors to experience the history of New York Harbor in a whole new way."

“Linking Governors Island to the maritime community is vitally important for the Island and the Harbor,” said Rob Pirani, executive Director of the Governors Island Alliance. “We are grateful that the Borough President’s grant will enable historic ships and educational vessels to arrive on the Island in the next year, creating just one more reason to come visit the Island”

“New York’s waterfront offers incredible educational and recreational opportunities,” said Roland Lewis, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. “We are pleased that more of Governors Island’s visitors than ever before will be able to learn about the history of New York Harbor.”

About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.