42.4 F
New York
Friday, March 29, 2024

“Living Lab” to Study Effects of Climate Change Planned for Governors Island

Related Articles

-Advertisement-

Must read

By: Dennis DeMartino

The New York Times is reporting that New York City intends turn part of the 172-acre Governors Island south of Manhattan into a “living laboratory” for studying and coping with the effects of climate change.

The request for proposal said the current thinking would change the southern end of the island into “a major center for climate adaptation research, commercialization, conversation and policymaking.”

“The plan would transform about 4.2 million square feet on the southern end of the island to commercial and educational use that would allow for the project. The city is describing the effort as the “anchor” for the island’s development,” Crain’s New York Business said. “Alicia Glen, a former deputy mayor who is now head of the board of the Trust for Governors Island, told the Times the city hopes to make the island “a living laboratory in how you deal with these issues in an urban context.”

“The plan, which is still in its early stages, calls for making Governors Island “a major center for climate adaptation research, commercialization, conversation and policymaking,” according to a request for proposals that the city sent to contractors and that was reviewed by The New York Times. The document says the climate adaptation theme would be the “anchor” for the island’s development,” the Times Christopher Flavelle reported.

Michael Samuelian, who until this past June headed up the trust that runs Governor’s Island, told the Times that “Being an island in the middle of a harbor — there’s no better place to put the heart of climate adaptation and education.” He thinks it should become a “visible representation of what these issues we’re going to be confronting are.”

The city, according to the Times report, “has asked outside consultants to come up with specifics about what that might look like, as well as a “pitch deck” the city could use to sell the idea to foundations, universities or other possible partners. New York wants that work finished within six weeks, according to the document, so that it can solicit bids from developers by the end of next year.”

Governors Island was originally an island that the Lenape called Paggank (“nut island”). The name was transliterated into the Dutch Noten Eylandt, then Anglicized into Nutten Island, before being renamed Governor’s Island by the late 18th century, according to Wikipedia.

Governors Island has become a popular seasonal destination open to the public between May and September, attracting more than 800,000 visitors per year as of 2018. It contains a 43-acre public park, free arts and cultural events, and recreational activities. The island is accessed by ferries from Brooklyn and Manhattan.

balance of natureDonate

Latest article

- Advertisement -