Governors Island

AKRF has been instrumental in the revitalization of Governors Island, a 172-acre public resource in the heart of New York Harbor between Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. The phased project encompasses the creation of world-class parks and open spaces, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, two areas set aside for new mixed-use development, and modernization and upgrade of essential infrastructure elements.

We reached a significant milestone in 2021 – completion of the Second Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the phased development of Governors Island’s South Island. Working on behalf of The Trust for Governors Island, our environmental and transportation analyses focused on rezoning and redevelopment of the South Island to spur approximately 4 million square feet of mixed-use development and to activate the Island for 24/7 use. The proposed development – including a proposed Center for Climate Solutions – will support the maintenance of open space and landscapes as well as the historic buildings on the North Island. This increase in density would also help finance improvements to infrastructure, including additional ferry service.

The New York City Council voted to approve the rezoning of Governors Island in 2021, concluding the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. AKRF previously prepared the Final GEIS for the creation of the park and public spaces in 2011 and Final Supplemental GEIS for reuse of the historic buildings on the North Island in 2013.