FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 1, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON, SPEAKER SILVER AND STATE SENATOR SQUADRON ANNOUNCE GOVERNORS ISLAND TO RECEIVE $7 MILLION

Governors Island Will Open to the Public on May 30

Governor David A. Paterson, Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senator Daniel Squadron today announced the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) will receive $7 million as a part of the 2009-10 budget agreement. The funding will ensure that Governors Island will again be open to the public this summer.

“Our commitment to Governors Island is clear. With this allocation, and the matching funds from the City of New York, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) will have the financial support it needs to keep this popular recreational site open this summer season,” Governor Paterson said. “Since 2003, GIPEC, a partnership between the State and New York City, has been responsible for the planning, redevelopment and ongoing operations for 150 acres of the Island. GIPEC has brought the Island back to life and made it a must-see for New Yorkers and tourists. We are looking forward to another successful season at Governors Island when the Island opens this May.”

Governors Island will be open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 30 to October 11. Visitors can enjoy more than seven miles of car-free biking, free concerts, performances and public art, and much more. The ferry ride and admission to Governors Island are free.

Speaker Silver said: “Having served as an important location for military operations for over 200 years, Governors Island is now an integral component of the State’s tourism and economic development plans. With a tremendous view of the Statue of Liberty and city skyline, as well as ferry access from Lower Manhattan, the island serves as a premier location for recreation and concerts. The budget provides funding to maximize Governors Island’s appeal as a tourist, educational, conference and cultural center.”

Senator Squadron said: “I’m pleased that, working with Speaker Silver and colleagues in Lower Manhattan, we were able to put $7 million in the budget to keep Governors Island open this year. Governors Island has the potential to be the center of a new 21st century harbor park – a Central Park for the center of our city. I look forward to a great summer on Governors Island, shared with the advocates, neighborhood residents and legislators who all worked hard to make it happen.”

Empire State Development (ESD) President and CEO Marisa Lago said: “Governors Island has become a major destination, welcoming a record-breaking 128,000 visitors in 2008, an incredible 125 percent increase over the prior year. The $7 million allows us to continue the progress we have made and welcome more visitors, while attracting more tenants, investing in Island infrastructure, designing a world-class park and public open space, and continuing to stabilize historic buildings. We encourage everyone to see what the Island has to offer when it opens this summer.”

Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation Chairman Avi Schick said: “Governors Island will be open this summer. Thanks to the funding provided in the budget agreement visitors can once again enjoy Governors Island’s creative programming, biking, free concerts, public art, and much more. With challenging economic times we encourage the public to take advantage of the free ferry rides, kayaking lessons and tram tours when the Island opens May 30.”

Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation President Leslie Koch said: “We are so pleased that the Budget agreement includes a full $7 million in operating funds for Governors Island from New York State. We look forward to continuing the progress Governors Island has made over the past few years, such as welcoming more visitors than ever, stabilizing historic buildings and investing in Island infrastructure, welcoming new tenants, and designing a world-class park and public open space.”

For more information on Governors Island, visit www.govisland.com.