Construction of Governors Island’s park and public spaces is only a few months away, the Trust for Governors Island announced on Mon., Oct. 24.
Shovels will be in the ground starting in 2012. During the construction period, the island will remain open to the public on weekends and holiday Mondays in the 2012-13 public access seasons (May to September), according to the Trust. The island will be closed on Fridays to facilitate construction; but, for the first time, portions of the island will be open on Saturday evenings during the month of June.
Phase one of the island’s park and public space master plan will restore green spaces to the historic district, add visitor amenities, establish a new gateway to the island at Soissons Landing, convert the asphalt to green turf at South Battery, and carve out new spaces in the island’s center. The first phase of the project also entails capital work, such as the restoration of potable water to the island; upgrading electrical and telecommunications systems; repairing the seawall; modernizing docks and piers; and stabilizing historic buildings.
“The Trust for Governors Island is making incredible progress by creating extraordinary public spaces that New Yorkers will enjoy for generations,” said Leslie Koch, president of The Trust for Governors Island. “The Trust is honoring its commitment to remain open to the public during construction, and I look forward to welcoming visitors and organizations to the Island for the 2012 and 2013 public seasons.”
