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1132uses that will co-exist always with a public use of3the Island.4And that public use is not just5the public space. We always refer to this as the6park and public space plan. And you can see in the7southern half of the Island, the new park that's8under construction, as well as, obviously, all the9public spaces of the Historic District.10And so that is our -- one of the11criteria articulated in our request for proposals12is, of course, that fitting uses respect that13primary public use and public access for the14Island.15So it gives -- there is a16flexibility given really the unique nature, you17know, a very extensive dialogue with City Planning.18And I want to acknowledge, in particular, David19Karnovsky's role in that constructive dialogue,20about giving that flexibility but really21understanding that it's the footprint and design of22these existing landmark structures that really kind23of sets the tone for that mix of uses that will24happen within.25And I think that Simon will speakROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1142to this a little bit more, but I think that the3Borough President's office has also suggested kind4of a list of some uses that wouldn't be appropriate5and not envisioned in addition to some of the uses6already banned by the deed.7COMM. LEVIN:And do any of these8structures lend themselves to a nightclub?9was one of the concerns.10(Laughter.)11MS. KOCH:ThatI don't think so.I12cannot imagine -- obviously, there's a whole broad13range of entertainment in the world right now, but14none of them really do lend themselves to a15nightclub.16And also -- just so you are aware,17we're also very respectful; we share the Island18with the National Park Service. And there are19actually are national guidelines in place governing20national parks.21parks in the nation about noise.22respectful of that and worked very closely with23them as the co-stewards of the Island.There are more than 310 nationalSo we are very24THE CHAIR:Kenneth.25VICE CHAIR KNUCKLES:Yes.ROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1152So no maritime-themed discos?3(Laughter.)4MS. KOCH:5sort of speechless about it.6(Laughter.)7MS. KOCH:8You know, I'm justWe were -- and you cansurprise me only occasionally.9VICE CHAIR KNUCKLES:10Okay.Leslie, I'm among those that you11have brought to the Island.12special place.13And it is a veryThis is not a question that is14contained in the actions before us but I think it's15a question that you will have to deal with in order16to realize the vision.17envision financing these various endeavors because,18I mean, they are all compatible to the character of19the Island but not necessarily the easiest to -- to20find capital for.21And that is, how do youMR. KOCH:You're a wise man, sir.22And think that really sort of struck at the heart23of why we've come to the Commission to permit this24range of uses.25at the time of the transfer it was alwaysBecause, again, even ten years ago,ROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1162envisioned that there would be a mixture of uses,3the park and public space, or as we call it, the4sort of the anchor of the Island - pardon the5nautical pun - but that there would be commercial6uses because rent from those commercial uses would7help defray the cost not only of maintaining the8Island itself, but making it a public resource.9So when you think about that mix10of commercial uses, which will, of course, happen11over time, they can include hospitality uses,12retail, office space or studio space.13a mix of uses because, of course, the deed does not14permit residential housing or gambling.1516THE CHAIR:Any other questionsfor Leslie?17(No response.)18THE CHAIR:19MS. KOCH:THE CHAIR:And the next speakeris Simon Bertrang;2425Thank you so much forhaving me.2223Thank you so much forbeing here.2021So there areWho will be followed by AlexHerrera;ROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1172And then Michael Levine.3MR. BERTRANG:4Good morning, CityCommissioners.5I'm going to give my testimony and6then I'm going to address, more specifically, some7of the questions about the comments that the8Borough President had on the plan.9My name is Simon Bertrang. And I'm10the Vice President Planning, Design and11Preservation for the Trust for Governors Island - a12not-for-profit corporation and instrumentality of13the City of New York.14I wanted to speak briefly about15the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact16Statement for the phased redevelopment of Governors17Island, currently under review.1819This hearing today doubles as thepublic hearing for that Draft Supplemental GEIS.20In 2011, the Trust completed the21Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement for22that same phased redevelopment with the Office of23the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development as the24lead agency.25The overall development of theROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1182Island is a complex project that will occur in3multiple phases over many years and is dependent on4financing and other factors.5At that time, we identified a6Phase I redevelopment, which we are now in the7process of building.8within the context of the more generic later phases9of the project, with the full development to be1011We analyzed Phase I in detailcompleted in 2030.Phase I, as described in the 201112FGEIS, included the first phase, park and public13space improvements, including 30 acres of14spectacular new parks south of Liggett Hall and15upgrades to the already beautiful and historic16North Island public spaces.17The seawall repair and18reconstruction, including replacement of several19thousand feet of seawall on the western and20southern edges of the Island with rift raff and21revetment, and a new potable water connection with22the Buttermilk Channel.23underway and will be completed by 2014.2425All of these projects areLater phases, as described in the2011 FGEIS, included: development of 3 millionROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1192square feet through the re-tenanting of existing3North Island buildings and the construction of new4buildings on two South Island development sites and5the completion of the remainder of the park and6public space.78We are now proposing the nextphase of redevelopment in more detail:910The creation of the SpecialGovernors Island District on the North Island;1112The re-tenanting of 1.2 millionsquare feet of that new district;1314The completion of reminder of thepark and public space Master Plan;15Increased ferry service to support16the increase in visitors created by that17redevelopment.18We have prepared a Supplemental19GEIS that analyzes the environmental impact of20completion of this second phase by 2022. And this21is still in the context of the full redevelopment22of the entire Island in a still later phase to be23completed by 2030.2425As there are no specific plans orspecific uses in mind for the two South IslandROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1202development zones, this later phase remains generic3in the analysis.4The Draft SGEIS, including5responses to comments received as part of the6public scoping session earlier this year, is7available for review and comment today -- at8today's public hearing and for ten days following.910Thank you.Please let me know if you have any11questions. And then about the question about the12Borough President's comments, we are amenable to13the -- there were a couple of recommendations14outlined in their letter.15analysis and we are amenable to trying to find16specific uses that we can identify ahead of time17that might address some of their concerns about the18broad range of uses.19It was a very thoughtfulBut we have, also, the interest in20preserving the flexibility. And, I think, Leslie21spoke to it very well about the reasoning behind22that flexibility if we were able to achieve the23mixed use vision for the Island that was -- as the24Island was delivered from the federal government to25the people of New York ten years ago, that was theROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1212vision for the Island and we are advancing that3vision.4THE CHAIR:5Let me see if there are any6Thank you, Simon.questions for you.7(No response.)8THE CHAIR:9Question from Michelle.There are none.10Michelle.11COMM. DE LA UZ:1213Thank you forbeing here.Since you -- since you brought up,14obviously, the broader scope about the Generic15Environmental Impact Statement, I'm just wondering16and maybe just to clarify, what will, if any, the17north portion vision is going to influence, in18terms of the uses, would influence the south19portion vision for the two structures?20MR. BERTRANG:I think the two21questions are fairly separate.They're, obviously,22on the same Island but the unique nature of the23North Island, because it's in a federal and local24Historic District, because we have 44 existing25buildings which are in desperate need ofROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1222re-tenanting and restoration, it was approached as3a very specific problem.4And we worked closely with City5Planning to figure out the best way to come up with6a zoning text modification and -- and map this7Special District that would address the needs of8that district.9I think we purposely did not10really look at the South Island, and I would say11that, and it's described in the EIS, that the12discussions about the rezoning of the South Island,13both the uses and the massing, you know, all of the14design guidelines and controls that would have to15take place to think about that, would be part of a16later discussion.17So I guess I would say, we -- we18really thought of them as two separate issues.The19South Island would clearly include commercial uses20because that was the vision when the federal21government gave the Island to the people of New22York.23have not tried to speculate on what those uses are24beyond the very generic programs we've outlined in25the EIS.But we haven't, actually -- we purposelyROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1232THE CHAIR:Thanks, Simon.3MR. BERTRANG:4THE CHAIR:5then Michael Levine; and6then Catherine McVay-Hughes.7MR. HERRERA:8THE CHAIR:9MR. HERRERA:Thank you.Alex Herrera; andGood morning.How are you?I'm Alex Herrera.10I'm the Director of Capital Services at the New11York Landmarks Conservancy.12And thank you for the opportunity13to express the Conservancy's views on the proposed14Special Governors Island District.15The historic ensemble of buildings16and structures on Governors Island define the17character of the Island and give it a unique -- its18unique and appealing sense of place.19village should be preserved for the enjoyment and20education of New Yorkers now and in the future.21This historicThe Conservancy has taken an22active interest in the well being of these23landmarks and has monitored the repairs and24restoration of the buildings on the Island for many25years.We commend the Trust and Leslie, for itsROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1224stewardship of the buildings.3The Conservancy believes that a4viable tenancy for the buildings is crucial to5their continued preservation. Empty buildings6deteriorate and suffer neglect.7commend the Planning Commission for a new plan that8would help bring new compatible uses to these9buildings.10We, therefore,However, we believe that there are11certain stipulations that could be clearer. For12example, we urge the Commission to place a defined13height limit, a height restriction, say 55 feet or14on all the construction within the Historic15District.16The Conservancy also believes that17a list of allowable uses would be helpful,18actually, enumerating the uses that would be19allowed are encouraged.20And, lastly, we believe that21important open spaces, such as Nolan Park and the22Admiral House Green, and other green areas, should23be deemed off limits for new construction.2425It's not enough to merely identifysites where the new buildings are allowed.WeROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1252believe we need to identify sites where new3construction is not allowed.4These clarifications, we believe,5would help regulate change in the Historic District6and would assist the Landmarks Preservation7Commission enormously in their task.89Additionally, we believe that theaforementioned list of uses should be separate for10large existing building, such as Liggett Hall and11smaller, older buildings, such as the cottages and12houses.13The list of allowable uses should14be tailored to the distinct types of existing15buildings.16The north side of Governors Island17is a municipal jewel.18that affects the Historic District should be in19harmony with the Landmark's Commission rules and20should not set up future conflict between the goal21of preserving the building and the needs of22adapting to reuses.23Any new land use regulationWe think the Planning Commission24-- we thank the Planning Commission for its25continued support of the preservation goals on theROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1226north side.3THE CHAIR:4Let me see if there are questions5Thanks.for you.6Michelle.7COMM. DE LA UZ:Do you have a8suggested -- thanks for being here and for your9testimony.10Do you have a suggested list of11uses that you'd like to share?12MR. HERRERA:Well, that I would13have to discuss with my colleagues.14sure we could come with a suggested list of uses --15(Laughter.)16MR. HERRERA:But, yes, I'm-- for -- I mean,17what concerns us that to shoehorn uses in the small18buildings that, you know, perhaps would be more19compatible in the large buildings, just to make it20clearer for potential tenants and to others.21COMM. DE LA UZ:22THE CHAIR: We're not really asking23Thank you.for a list.24(Laughter.)25THE CHAIR:Any other questionsROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1227for Alex Herrera?3Yes.4COMM. LEVIN:Well, yes, I guess5I'd like to ask on the request for a height6restriction and the notion that certain areas7should be designated off limits for redevelopment.8Some degree of oversight would be provided by the9Landmarks Preservation Commission; right, about10construction in this area?1112MR. HERRERA:Well, I mean,that's correct.13COMM. LEVIN:And is that15MR. HERRERA:No.16COMM. LEVIN:And if not, why not?17MR. HERRERA:I was Director of14sufficient?I mean --18Preservations on the Landmarks Preservation19Commission for 20 years.20ask for unbelievable things even though they know21the chances are very slim of getting them.22The will hire the best land use lawyers that money23can buy to try to bend the rules and to try to get24around the regulations.25And people will come andIn Historic Districts such asROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1282Brooklyn Heights, the Upper East Side and Cobble3Hill, those are all designated Historic Districts.4And yet, they also have height limits. Very helpful5just to stop, you know, their proposals for --67COMM. LEVIN:think about asking.89So they don't evenMR. HERRERA:think about, right.They don't evenBecause, you know, I think10wherever there are open water views, as in New York11City, it is a huge temptation to go as high as12possible.13And -- and, you know, I've seen it14over the years, you know, the way -- the clever15way, you know, that -- that -- that folks try to16attempt to rationalize why a taller building would17be compatible.18THE CHAIR:19COMM. EADDY:Alex, hi.21MR. HERRERA:Hi.22COMM. EADDY:You also made20Richard.Good tosee you.23mention of areas that you'd like to see off limits24from development.25have concerns about or is this just a belts andAre there specific areas youROY ALLEN & ASSOCIATES, INC., 212-840-1167100 Church Street, 8th floor, New York, New York 10007626 RXR Plaza, West Tower, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556

1229suspenders type of --3MR. HERRERA:Well, it's, you4know, that's right, belts and suspenders. As I5said, my experience is that the clearer you can6make it, you know, the better.7some beautiful park-like areas here. And I think it8would be very attractive.910COMM. EADDY:marked?Because there ar

Good morning. My name is Leslie Koch. And I'm the president of the Trust for Governors Island - a not-for-profit corporation created by the City to manage the operation, planning and redevelopment of 150 acres of Governors Island. For almost two centur