Whose Governors Island Is It?
Brooklyn is closer to Governors Island than any other land mass—a mere 400 yards—but, alas, it belongs to Manhattan. The New York Times revived the grumbling about what some perceive as this unfairness in an article this weekend. “Although the island is legally part of Manhattan, its sewage and water pipes pass through Brooklyn. As…
Brooklyn is closer to Governors Island than any other land mass—a mere 400 yards—but, alas, it belongs to Manhattan. The New York Times revived the grumbling about what some perceive as this unfairness in an article this weekend. “Although the island is legally part of Manhattan, its sewage and water pipes pass through Brooklyn. As a result, some irate Brooklynites regard their borough as the service entrance, Manhattan as the front door and Governors Island as the parlor where the influential entertain their guests.” Some think the answer is to allow the two boroughs to share claim to the place, the way Manhattan and Queens each have a stake in Roosevelt Island. Is that the solution?
Governors Island 013. Photo by joevare.
If someone wanted to build some decent apartments out there for folks with middle-income (the dreaded “donut hole” of more than $30k and less than $150k), then I’d fully support a ferry or even a little bridge.
Other than that… there’s a lot of things that require going to Manhattan first. I’m thinking of traveling (relatively quickly) from one part of Brooklyn to another part of Brooklyn. Flatbush to Williamsburg for example. So, I’m not that surprised or particularly bothered. My once a year trip to Governor’s Island is really plenty.
The gondola thing makes little sense to me. Who wants to be stuck in a gondola in the middle of the bay? (think Roosevelt island tram) However if Calatrava could design a super cool pedestrian bridge than lifts or slides or folds up, that would be cool. Unfortunately we just do not have the clout in DC, or Albany, or city hall to make anything good like this happen. The pols think of Brooklyn as “welfare land” where the rabble don’t deserve and would not respect a new park. Look at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Any bets on whether that will ever actually happen?
Boroughs are meaningless political subdivisions of NYC . It is city of New York that is owner.
It is a bit frustrating that you can almost touch Gov. Island from Brooklyn, yet you have to got to Manhattan to get there. I don’t care who owns the island, but they can at least have a ferry from Brooklyn make a stop at Gov. Island to make it more accessible. If you build it, they will come.
Seriously, BKButler. Bigger fish to fry. Let’s start with the impending hole in the ground that would be AY.
Memo to Brooklyn: you have bigger problems.
I’m liking the gondola connection. perhaps a solar-powered ferry as well.
http://pmyeditors.blogspot.com/2007/05/green-ferries-for-blue-highways.html
the article briefly mentions (with zero follow up) the city’s plan to build a gondola connection between pier 6 at atlantic ave. and governors’ island. as of december 2007, this plan was still viable. (see http://www.nypost.com/seven/12202007/news/regionalnews/high_on_govs_i__331057.htm) so bashing bloomberg on this issue seems at best premature.
If someone can explain to me just one reason why it matters whether the island is part of Brooklyn or Manhattan, then I promise to care. The island could belong to Canada for all I care. As long as the figure out how to make it accesible to Brooklyn without having to go to Manhattan first.