Who's Governing Governors Island?
From the Governors Island Alliance
Who’s Governing Governors Island?
Mayor Bloomberg sent a delegation to Community Board 1 in Manhattan in September to renew his pitch for control of Governors Island, pledging to commit the funds needed to keep the Island open and to move forward with the Park and Open Space Plan.
The proposition echoed the City’s strong statement last spring during budget negotiations. Recall that when the state budget appeared without a dedicated line for Island operations, the Mayor offered to provide the full funding – provided he was given full control of the Island. Control of GIPEC and of funding for the Island has been shared 50-50 between the city and Albany since the Island was transferred by Washington in 2003. Thanks to the Mayor’s leadership, and that of Speaker Silver and Senator Squadron, the governor agreed in the end to include the state’s share this year, bringing the total to $14.8 million. This was nothing less than essential to sustain the Island and its National Historic Landmark District through a record-breaking season.
One reason for the current state of affairs is that the 2003 State – City Memorandum of Understanding, which spelled out the 50-50 deal and other aspects of the partnership, has expired. In the coming months, and hopefully before new budget decisions are made, city, state and elected leaders will need to work together with neighboring communities and civic organizations to reach agreement on how best to move forward. There are plenty of options. What’s most important for the Island is that the agreement provides for three things: clear and transparent accountability; the funding needed to move forward on the park design and repairs of the infrastructure and historic buildings; and a commitment to designate promised public spaces as permanent parkland.