About Us

About Governors Island:
Governors Island, in the heart of New York Harbor, is only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to Brooklyn. The entire 92 acre National Historic District is open to the public for picnics, tours, concerts, car-free biking, and more.

For almost two centuries, Governors Island was home to the US Army and later the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard closed the Island a decade ago, and in 2003 the land was transferred to the State and City of New York for one dollar. Twenty-two acres of the Island, including two 1812-era forts, were declared a National Monument, which is overseen by the National Park Service. The other 150 acres are overseen by the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC).

Governors Island will be the site of future educational, non-profit and commercial facilities, as well as world-class open space. An acclaimed team, led by West 8, has been chosen to design the new Governors Island Park and Great Promenade.

Governors Island is an incredible resource for all New Yorkers and visitors and we hope to see you on the Island in June when we open for the 2010 season.

About Us:
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. The National Park Service owns and operates an additional 22 acres of the 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.

39 Responses

  1. SD, on June 12, 2010 at 3:40 pm Said:

    Is there a lost and found on Gov. Island? How to contact?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth, on June 12, 2010 at 3:53 pm Said:

      Yes we do have a lost and found. It is located in our security office in Building 140. You can call them at 212-809-3299.

      Reply
  2. JEFF FREEMAN, on April 24, 2010 at 7:38 pm Said:

    couldn’t find anyplace else to advise you of the change in my email address – can you change it from this venue? New email address: jfreeman63@charter.net

    Reply
    • Elizabeth, on April 27, 2010 at 5:38 pm Said:

      Hi Jeff,

      You actually have to unsubscribe and then re-subscribe. Let us know if you have any trouble!

      Reply
  3. Jack Robinson - Co-curator GIAF, on September 22, 2009 at 7:32 pm Said:

    Hello G.I. blog:

    I am one of the Co-curators of Governors Island Art Fair.

    We know that we are a smaller fish on the island. But, could please include us on your blog and in your listings.

    Next weekend 26-27 is our closing reception.

    Here’s some info… Feel free to edit as you see fit.

    “As you know we will be holding our closing reception this Sunday, September 27th. The exhibition opens as usual at 11am and we hope you all can make it for the full day ending at 6pm. This is your last chance to meet the public who have been coming in droves of about 25,000 people each weekend to admire your work. We have had tons of press, gallerists, tourists and art lovers of all kinds in and out of each and every room and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Several articles have been written including Art in America & NY Post (full press is available at http://govsislandart.blogspot.com). A handful of decent sales have come through also.

    Also, we have show catalogues available. Just ask one of the 4heads. They are on sale for $20. All of the artists in the show are named in the catalogue. As well as “photo features” all artists that chose to send an image.

    So for the closing, we want to blow it up.

    We want to appeal to your most festive nature and ask that each and every one of you do something crazy and vivid, which will add to what is shaping up to be an already incredible event. We have live music (a band and solo musicians), performance art, a live painting battle, food, drinks, mask-making, the Layoff Bingo game, live portrait painting and we want more… We are all coming in costumes – from funny hats to full-on bizarre human parade floats – and we encourage you to do the same. Dress up crazy, do whatever you have to do to add to the color of the day.

    When we began talking about this event, loads of ideas came up. We want our artists to come out in full form – bringing to the table whatever insane and brilliant ideas you can all think of. Puppet shows, art making, men in dresses, goofy wigs, games for kids, sculptural performances, kite flying, basket weaving, empire building, maypole twirling, trumpet tooting, foot stompin down and dirty hootinanee shenanigans.

    All we are saying is lets make this a day to remember. And if anyone is in possession of a video camera PLEASE charge that sucker up and bring it by because we know this will be an amazing array of eye-candy to be revisited and belly-laughed at for years to come.”

    Thank you for the help.

    -Jack Robinson

    Reply
    • Elizabeth, on September 22, 2009 at 8:44 pm Said:

      Jack,
      We are huge fans of the 4 Heads and have your info on our website but we have added you to the blog roll as well as we hope as many visitors as possible come out to see the AMAZING work the 4 Heads have done in Building 12.

      Reply
  4. Brigitte, on September 11, 2009 at 4:34 pm Said:

    why its called governors island i cant find any governor who work or live there?

    Reply
  5. Emmy kay, on September 3, 2009 at 3:41 pm Said:

    i understand there are free bikes on GI, but can we bring our own bikes, will they be allowed on the ferry and island?

    thank you!

    Reply
  8. Arthur Lonergan, on August 12, 2009 at 4:40 am Said:

    Governors Island will always be a safe haven for me. It was in the early 1960′s and I was stationed in the 38th Infantry Division, 3rd Army, Schweinfort Germany. I was 18 and pushed up my draft. Tired of school and working in the A&P on the night shift I went into the army. After more than a year in Germany my Father died and I was allowed home to attend his funeral. I tried to get reassigned back to the States because my family was having financial troubles and I wanted to be closer. I had a younger brother and sister and my Mother was not well. The Army, in there wisdom, reassigned me to fort Devins Massachusetts. When my leave was up I was broke, living in Queens and had no way to get to my new assignment. I went to Governors Island to see if they could help me get to my new assignment. I introduced myself to the Sargent Major and he asked me what I did in Germany. I told him I was in the Infantry and worked in Operations (S3). He picked up a magazine and asked me to type an article. I did and he he picked up the phone and changed my orders. I spent the rest of my time on the Island. I was sure it was paradise since we only worked five days a week compared to six plus in Germany and a lot of the time was in the field. Thanks Sarge and thanks for Governors Island for being there.

    Reply
  14. JP, on July 18, 2009 at 6:52 pm Said:

    are dogs allow on the island?

    Reply
  26. numbertwopencil, on June 15, 2009 at 6:56 am Said:

    Thank you, Ellen.

    (Ack. Sorry for all of the typos–previewing/editing comments would be nice for idiots like me.)

    I’ve been digging though the paperwork on the buildings. There seem to be a few more than 52 buildings north of Division Road, unless I’m miscounting. I was just wondering which buildings, exactly, are covered (or how they are counted, if I’m miscounting.)

    Yes, I’m delighted that there are so many exciting arts programs but I’m curious why it isn’t possible to, say, let some of those art groups, or other groups, rent semi-permanent office space on the Island. Once the HS opens, surely, there will be daily ferry service and some basic security/utilities services. Why not have a studio program similar to, say, the program that used to be run in unused floors of the WTC? The artists were okay with not-quite-to-code work spaces (they weren’t living there) and some access limitations, etc.

    Reply
    • Ellen, on June 15, 2009 at 1:09 pm Said:

      Thanks again for your interest in Governors Island. Actually, we do have a studio program in the works that will be run by the same people who operated the studios in the WTC and who continue to partner with vacant office buildings in Lower Manhattan. We announced in October that the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council was selected to open a year-round artist’s studio program in Building 110. Please see the press release for more information: http://www.govisland.com/Press_Room/10-20-08studios.asp.

      The studio program, along with the Water Taxi Beach slated to open later this summer, is part of our long term strategy to bring the Island back to life. You can also learn more about these efforts through the public presentations available on the GIPEC website: http://www.govisland.com/Get_Involved/public_meetings.asp

      Finally, you are correct that there are several non-historic structures in the Historic District. One of them, the old Super 8 motel, was cleared last year in consultation with preservation authorities, but there are no plans for demolishing any of the other non-historic buildings. You will find more answers to your questions about the Historic District in Appendices F and H of our 2006 Request for Proposals: http://www.govisland.com/About_GIPEC/preservation_rfp.asp.

      Reply
  28. numbertwopencil, on June 8, 2009 at 6:31 am Said:

    Is there an exact plan of the buildings on the island will be demolished? Not all of the buildings are protected by various landmarking/historic district projects, right? Even if the overall plans for the island are still unclear, I’d like to know which specific buildings are protected.

    Also, while I understand, I think, why it takes a long time to decomission overlapping military bases, and I’m sure more tenants/visitors it’s a pain for the current administration of the island, but why can’t some of the buildings be put to use. It costs money to run the buildings, yes–so, just lease them out to highest low-impact tenants. I’m sure a number of large rooms on the island are instantly rentable as galleries/concert halls/etc. and those will draw some visitors but why not use the existing buildings for, oh, dorms, schools, light manufacturing, city offices–lease to groups that are efficient on an island and transient enough to move on and off cheaply.

    Reply
    • Ellen, on June 9, 2009 at 8:47 pm Said:

      At the moment, there are no specific plans to demolish more buildings. The 92 acres north of Division Road, including 52 historic buildings, are a National Historic Landmark and a New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Historic District. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is charged with their protection, and has stabilized their exteriors so that they do not deteriorate while waiting for permanent tenants.

      In the meantime, artists and art groups like Creative Time, the Children’s Museum of Art, the Sculptors Guild, and artists collectives like Figment and the 4 Heads have turned many of the historic buildings into summer art spaces and galleries. In addition, we announced in October that the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council was selected to open a year-round artist’s studio program in Building 110.

      For more information about all of the exciting arts programming on Governors Island visit http://www.govisland.com/Visit_the_Island/default.asp, and check back throughout the summer.

      Reply
  30. Ellen, on May 26, 2009 at 8:45 pm Said:

    Hi Michael:
    The historic buildings on the northern half of the Island will not be demolished; they are part of a national landmark and locally designated historic district. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is working to protect and preserve them. GIPEC is also developing a master plan for 87 acres of park and public spaces on the Island that includes the respectful restoration of the historic landscapes of the Historic District. Thank you for your service and your continued interest in Governors Island.
    Ellen

    Reply

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