The hub, expected to open in 2028, was met with enthusiasm for its promise of thousands of green jobs and innovations turned into profitable technologies. But it comes with risk and no guarantees.
arrow A rendering of what Governors Island might look like after a new rezoning WXY architecture + urban design/bloomimages
What should become of Governors Island?
For nearly two decades, the question has tantalized the city’s mayors and real estate developers, and largely eluded them. Since the federal government relinquished control of the former Coast Guard base in 2003, the island has been floated as the site of a casino, an amusement park, a convention center, and a supermax prison.
While those development dreams have languished, more and more New Yorkers have taken advantage of the unique urban retreat. Under the stewardship of the Trust for Governors Island, the spruced up park has offered essential cultural programming and more frequent ferries, along with 172 acres of minimally tamed wandering space all of it located less than half a mile from the tip of Manhattan.