Organization Details:

The Governors Island Alliance is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to celebrate the Island's rich history, create memorable parks and public spaces, and ensure appropriate reuse of the Island and its historic structures.

Description and/or History:
Since 1995 the members of the Governors Island Alliance civic coalition have worked collaboratively to return the Island to its rightful owners - the people of New York.

Our concept of redeveloping the Island as a great civic space is the basis for the 2003 transfer from the Federal Government to the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) and the National Park Service (NPS).

Thanks to the leadership from some far sighted public officials, and continued advocacy of the Alliance and its members, Governors Island will soon boast about 90 acres of public open space, including a 22-acre National Park and a two mile waterfront promenade. The landscaped grounds and nineteenth century homes in the Island's spectacular 93 acre National Landmark Historic District are permanently protected under City, State, and Federal law.

The Alliance is committed to working with GIPEC, the National Park Service, and our elected officials to ensure that the final plans and redevelopment proposals set public access, park programming, and historic preservation as primary goals - and that there is funding to make these plans happen. During this interim period we will enliven the Island with a variety of parks and arts programming, including guided tours, lecture series and a Family Festival to kick-off the 2009 summer season.

We are also working with these and other partners to enliven the Island with a variety of programming, including family-friendly historic tours, festivals, and concerts.

Contact people:

Elizabeth Case, Research Associate, (917) 546-4304, (email) Maya Borgenicht, Intern, (212) 253-2727 ex 379, (email) Robert Pirani, Executive Director, (212) 253-6010, (email)

Address:

C/O Regional Plan Association 4 Irving Place, 7th Floor New York, NY 10003 (See a map)

Directions:

The Governors Island Alliance is located in the Con Edison Building one block East of Union Square, it is on the corner of 14th St and Irving Place.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, W, L,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: 14A, 14D, 9, 2 minute walk