A Glimpse of Gov. Isle’s Future

(c/o Governors Island blog)

At the Center for Architecture on Friday, Adriaan Geuze, founder of the design firm West 8, presented his team’s interim ideas for the Governors Island Master Plan. The final plan is to be revealed later this spring.

Geuze gave a general introduction to the design principles and goals of the plan, as well as an overview of the park’s several sections. One theme of the presentation was the topography of the island. Currently, Geuze said, it’s flat: “flatter than Holland,” (Geuze is Dutch). As a result, the visitor to the park sees the whole expanse at once. The plan envisions a series of low hills on the island that will create a more visually suspenseful experience of the park by guiding and framing views. Geuze described this as an experience of “temptation and desire.” The hills will “make your eyes hunger for the park,” he said.

Not incidentally, the additional topography will elevate the surface grade of the park. Currently, Geuze said, you’ll hit seawater by digging a hole 3 feet deep. This shallowness will make it hard for trees to grow, and also puts the whole southern end of Governors Island underwater by 2100, according to sea level projections.

Some additional points worth noting:

• The plan calls for an additional 1300 trees to be planted in the park
• The “Promenade” and “Liberty Terrace” sections will be designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, architects of the Lincoln Center renovations
• GIPEC’s popular “free bike Fridays” program will continue
• No mention of the mixed-use commercial districts

For all its positive language and sleek design, the presentation didn’t suggest that the plan would soon become a reality. During her introduction for Geuze, GIPEC director Leslie Koch said, “I hope that, God willing, this will come to pass in our lifetimes.”

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