The City College of New York

Policy Solutions for Governors Island: Creating a Green Island for 2030

Zubair Bhuiyan

James Fallon Mahreen Ijaz

Sophia Palumbo

Macaulay Seminar 4: Shaping the Future of New York City Professor Morazan

May 8, 2013

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I. Introduction New York City is one of the most energy efficient cities in the nation. In spite of a

remarkable population density, the average New Yorker consumes less energy on average than inhabitants of similarly sized US cities (Hooven). Despite this, a burgeoning population has led to growing energy demands in a limited space (Ibid). Upon evaluation of available land in New York City, it has become evident that Governor’s Island is one of the few places in the city where there continues to be space available for new expansion. As a result, the topic of developing the island has slowly crept to the forefront of public policy debates conducted by city officials in recent years. One aspect of the policy debate that has yet to be adequately addressed is the future of energy on the island. Specifically, there has been little talk of where the power for the developing island is going to come from, how the environmental impact of future projects will be offset and how overall sustainability will be achieved on the island. Consequently, we seek to address these issues by examining the policy history of Governor’s Island, mapping the current policy debate of the island, and offering a range of detailed policy proposals concerning the future of the island with respect to the adaptation of green policies and projects on the island that address the issue of sustainability for the future. In light of recent It is our hope that, within the next 15 years, Governor’s Island will serve as a model for sustainable living and be an interesting, relaxing, and scenic place for bona fide New Yorkers and tourists alike. Furthermore, we intend to bring Governors Island to the attention of the greater public as an extraordinarily unique, beautiful, and promising place for New York City to further develop. II. Policy History of Governors Island In the past few centuries, Governors Island has passed among the hands of different countries, governments, and militaries. The island has accumulated a diverse group of past policies, due to its past functions. Governors Island has served as a retreat, a fishing and hunting ground, a military base, and currently, a recreational area for the public (“Trust for Governors Island – History of Governors Island”).

The original inhabitants of the island were the Lenape Native Americans, who called the island Pagganak or “Nut Island” due to the island’s abundance of oak, hickory, and chestnut trees. The Dutch arrived in New York in the 1620s, and the Dutch government seized the island in 1638. The island was then passed to Great Britain, who used the island for “benefit and accommodation of His Majesty’s Governors.” Eventually, the ownership of Governors Island fell into the hands of the United States of America (Ibid).

From the Revolutionary War to 200 years after, Governors Island was used as a military facility due to its strategic maritime location. In the year 1800, the City of New York gave the island to the United States Military, allowing the island to play different roles in several wars throughout American history. During the War of 1812, troops were stationed on the island. During the Civil War, it housed a jail for Confederate prisoners. Finally, during both World Wars, it served as a military supply base (Ibid).

The Coast Guard took residence on the Governors Island in 1966, still prohibiting the public from entering the island. The coast guard left in 1995, and the federal government, in 2003, finally sold 150 acres of the island to the State of New York under the condition that the land would be used only for public benefit (Ibid).

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From this time period to 2010, little to no redevelopment took place on Governors Island. The island was stuck in a joint ownership with New York State and New York City, which created complications. The state did not allocate enough funds to redevelop the island, while the city yearned to transform the island into beautiful parkland (Barbaro, Sulzberger).

In April 2010, the state gave complete control of Governors Island to New York City. The Empire State Development oversaw the transfer of power from state to city. After the transfer, the Bloomberg administration formed the not-for-profit Trust for Governors Island, or the Trust, to take charge of all redevelopment plans and island operations (Ibid).

With a steady source of funds and a motivated owner, Governors Island is now, as a park, being built to its full potential. The island is already hosting cultural events such as festivals, exhibitions, and concerts (“Host Your Event on the Island”). The city is actively accepting Request for Proposals (RFPs) from companies and individuals for ideas on what to include in the redevelopment of Governors Island (“Public Notices and Procurement Opportunities”). In term of sustainability, New York City as a whole is constantly implementing sustainable technology into new and existing infrastructure. The renewal of Governors Island is no exception. It is therefore inevitable that Governors Island will become a “green” island. III. Mapping the Policy Debate While the history of Governors Island spans many centuries, significant policy developments have taken place mostly in the last century, with the bulk of activity taking place in the last decade. In the past, activity on the island was stagnant due to New York State’s inability to allocate funds for projects on the island. In addition, legal and bureaucratic complications created by the island’s joint state-city ownership hindered attempts at redevelopment by city administration. When Governors Island transferred from state to city ownership in 2010, however, Mayor Bloomberg, city officials and a number of private and public organizations such as universities immediately jumped at the opportunity to redevelop the island (Barbaro, Sulzberger). The most prominent among these policy actors are the Mayor and his administration, the National Park Service, the Trust for Governors Island, a number of prestigious universities and a sparse number of public advocacy groups. The Bloomberg administration created the not-for-profit corporation known as the Trust for Governors Island, or the Trust, following the transfer of the island to city ownership. The Trust is responsible for the master plan for the redevelopment of Governors Island and oversees all aspects of planning and operations (Ibid). There is one area of the island, however, in which the Trust has no authority. This area is the 22-acre national monument on the southern face of the island that encloses Fort Jay and Castle Williams, is owned by the National Park Service, a federal government agency associated with the United States Department of the Interior. The Trust and the NPS share adjacent parkland, operate under a Cooperative Management Agreement (The United States Department of the Interior), and have a common mission to preserve the history and culture of Governors Island, while making sure the island is an enjoyable destination for both tourists and native New Yorkers. Despite their shared interests, the NPS and Trust operate under different policies and have separate responsibilities. In particular, the NPS serves mainly to protect the national monument while the Trust is a more progressive organization geared towards implementing new plans for Governors Island. Policy Camps and their Goals

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The NPS’ General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) is not a specific plan for Governors Island, but rather a widespread management plan for all national parks. The General Management Plan illustrates the intended use of resources and planned visitor experiences over the course of the next twenty years (“General Management Plan – FAQ”). Our policy recommendations cannot interfere with the land owned by the NPS, which is a part of a federal agency. We cannot, by law, alter any part of this National Monument. In particular, we cannot construct and hydro turbines near Castle Williams and Fort Jay, for the sake of protecting the historic coastal fortifications (“National Historic Preservation Act of 1966”). The NPS has its own twenty-year agenda (“General Management Plan – FAQ”). It is unlikely that this agenda would change based on our policy recommendations. Our proposals, therefore, would be evaluated and (possibly) implemented by the Trust, on their share of Governors Island. The Trust, which is essentially a part of the New York City government, is responsible for providing public access to the island, providing fire and emergency services, and for allocating land for the use of the public (“Trust for Governors Island – History of Governors Island”). The Trust has already collected diverse proposals for land use on Governors Island, and the organization has a specific aim for sustainability in its Master Plan (“Design Principles”). Considering these facts, the Trust should be open to our policy goal of further improving the island’s sustainable infrastructure. On its website that details the Master Plan, the Trust notes “A Sustainable & Feasible Design” as one of the major principles of the redevelopment plan. (govislandpark.com) The city aims to create sustainable space that is “environmentally progressive.” According to the Trust, this means that the park will endure the effects of climate change by implementing specialized sustainable features (Ibid). Our policy recommendations are also sustainable, but have varying degrees of feasibility. In order to gain approval from the City of New York and fit the Trust’s vision, our policies must be cost-effective and broken down into easily- manageable phases. The availability of resources and level of practicality for our policies will play a vital role in gaining approval from the City of New York.

Putting aside the Trust and NPS, New York University and other institutions of higher education have also played an active role in negotiations for the land usage on Governors Island. In 2010, Mayor Bloomberg offered a large parcel of land and $100 million to any university that had the most desirable plan for an applied sciences campus in the city. Money and land on Roosevelt Island has been awarded to Cornell University, but NYU is still pushing for a campus on Governors Island (Glick).

NYU’s plan for Governors Island is part of a larger expansion scheme called NYU 2031. The school wishes to build a freshman campus on Governors Island, which would include student housing and classrooms for NYU’s core curriculum. The incoming NYU freshman class averages at about 5,000 students, therefore, the potential campus would cover a significant portion of the island (Ibid).

The development of this campus would decrease the amount of space needed in Greenwich Village for NYU’s 2031 expansion plan. This land on the island, however, does not have NYU’s name on it just yet (Tennery). Bloomberg and the city wish to keep up New York City’s new “Silicon Alley” reputation, and house a more technical school on the island. Regardless of the type of university that might expand onto Governors Island, our goal is to include the school in our sustainability mission. In fact, it should not be difficult for a

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university on Governors Island to abide by our policies and the islands preexisting sustainable practices, considering the current “green” trend and the proposed eco-friendly Cornell campus on Roosevelt Island (Dorsey). The university’s campus must, of course, first be approved by City Council, in order help execute our sustainable policies. Outside of these better-established organizations, however, there are a small number of advocacy groups that exist to help promote Governors Island to legislators and the public alike. The most prominent of these advocacy groups is the Governors Island Alliance, a small organization that seeks to promote visitor programs to the island. For the most part, the Alliance works closely with both the Trust and the NPS to help promote the goals of both. Their efforts have led to the permanent protection of the island’s historic district and the opening of a number of historic buildings to the public (i.e. Castle Williams) (“About the Alliance”). With respect to our proposal for the island, we believe that the Alliance will be a key ally in engaging the community in our efforts to enforce our sustainability policies and informing the wider public about new and ongoing projects on the island. Furthermore, the Alliance will serve as a vital link between the island’s administration, state government and federal government by helping advocate for funding from legislators. In the future, as the Alliance grows as a separate non-profit entity we hope to see increased funding from corporate donors for our sustainability projects.  

Another significant group worth mentioning when discussing policy on Governors Island is the general public, the people who will utilize the parkland and its attractions. According to a Crain’s New York Business Poll in 2010, 40% of voters opposed the city’s decision to spend over $200 million on the redevelopment of Governors Island (an amount that currently exceeds $250 million)[]. Despite such expenditure on the project thus far, the majority of the public approves the redesigning of Governors Island; the amount of Request for Proposals (RFPs) prove that an overwhelming amount of city residents approve of the redevelopment and wish to transform the island into a one-of-a-kind urban space (“Should NYC spend millions to redevelop Governors Island?”). The following graphic is a breakdown of the governmental and nongovernmental groups associated with Governors Island’s redevelopment. The graphic answers the following questions for each group:

• Who are they and with whom are they associated? • What is their role in the transformation of Governors Island? • Where do they stand in terms of our policy recommendations?

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IV. Policy Recommendations Organic Farm (Food)

Currently, there is a 3-acre farm on the southern part of Governors Island. The farm is completely organic and generates revenue of about $25,000 per year by selling its produce to visitors (Lee). For our 2030 plan, the produce from the farm will be sold to the vendors and businesses on the island. If there is additional produce left after this, it may be sold to visitors. Presently, this plan is not feasible because there are not enough residents on the island to sell to. Nevertheless, this will change in the future and most—if not all—of the produce needed by the island will be organic and provided by the island itself.

The goal of our 2030 plan is to make a blueprint for a self-sustaining island. By having an organic farm provide fresh produce for the whole island, Governors Island will not only be environmentally friendly, but also independent. Furthermore, the benefits from sustainable farming are bound to attract more people to the island and to its businesses. Unlike Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), organic produce is not exposed to chemicals such as pesticides or insecticides and adds no additional pollution the environment (GraceLinks.org).

We do not intend to make Governors Island vulnerable by having it depend on a single farm for all of its produce needs. The goal of this policy is to make sure that the produce from the organic farm is utilized fully before the island’s businesses buy from other sellers. If a business needs a specific produce that is not found on the farm, it can find another supplier to purchase it from. In addition, if a natural disaster were to drastically reduce the supply of produce that could be harvested from the farm, the island’s businesses would simply find another seller to buy their necessary food from until the farm is restored. The purpose of this is not to control what businesses can and cannot do, but rather to ensure that Governors Island, and all establishments on it, offer the highest standard of food available. Hydropower (Energy and Utilities)

In order to ensure that Governors Island becomes a self-sustaining and environmentally “green” island, it must find a means of obtaining power without releasing dangerous toxins into the air through conventional coal power plants. The best way to do this is to rely on a renewable source of energy. For Governors Island, a small land mass surrounded by water, the most obvious and resourceful answer is water turbines. The following information is provided so that a decision can be made in favor of using hydropower to minimize the use of costly electricity from Brooklyn. The possibility of a large university coming to the island and the expected occupation of buildings that are currently vacant (as RFPs are approved) almost mandates that electricity becomes more affordable and available on all developed parts of the island.

As of right now, tidal power is not widely used due to high costs, along with many other factors. However, it is also one of the most reliable and efficient sources of renewable energy. This is especially relevant now as there have been many recent advancements and improvements in turbine technology (Verdant Power). Hydropower is truly the best option for a renewable source of energy for Governors Island. Currently, solar technologies are not cost effective or efficient enough. There is not enough space on the island to house a solar energy farm that would power the entire island. Another alternative energy source is wind power. Wind turbines, however, do not always supply a constant source of power. Also, the presence of wind turbines will interfere with New York City’s iconic downtown skyline. This may draw protest from New Yorkers, due to the wind turbines obscuring their view. In an area such as New York City, water turbines will prove to be much more efficient than wind turbines. Finally, one of the

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biggest concerns with water turbines is their endangerment of marine life. Verdant Power, a company that makes and installs tidal power and hydroelectric systems, assures that their turbines pose no risk to the wildlife (Reuk.co).

At this time, Verdant Power is building 6 turbines on the east river between Roosevelt Island and Queens (Department of Energy). The 6 turbines are axial-flow turbines with 3 blades and have a high efficiency over a large range of speeds. At completion, these turbines are expected to produce 1 Megawatt of power—enough to power around 1000 homes (Verdant Power). Because of the similarities between the seabed and location between the East River and the Upper New York Bay (where Governors Island is located), we anticipate that Verdant Power would be responsible for building and installing the turbines for Governors Island as well. Considering the size and expected energy needs of the island, we expect Governors Island to require three turbines for all its power needs.

Accurately determining the optimal location for turbines involves fieldwork and expensive sensors. Engineers from Verdant Power or Natural Currents will have to do that if tasked with this project. We were, however, able to make rough estimates based on research done at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Based on the maps in their tidal energy assessment, we determined that the best place to put the turbines is on the southern tip of the island. Installing turbines on the western side of the island could interfere with the Staten Island ferry and the presence of the Battery Tunnel and the Governors Island ferry on the northern side are undesirable. On the east, the mean kinetic energy of the waves should also be sufficient for turbines, but there are docks and boat traffic. Ships travelling between Manhattan and New Jersey and ships going between Manhattan and Brooklyn both travel through that narrow passageway.

Bike Share (Transportation) Due to the small size of Governors Island, there is no need for gas powered vehicles or expensive electric cars. People currently navigate the island by walking or biking. These are extremely simple and effective means of transportation. Biking specifically is fun, healthy, and efficient. The Bike and Roll establishment on the island is an acceptable way to allow visitors to the island to have temporary access to bicycles if they do not bring their own.

In addition to using bicycles for transportation, we suggest that they be used for the generation of electricity. There are a few strong arguments for implementing this plan. Though the power output of a few dozen to a few hundred bicycles will be incontrovertibly smaller than the output of a large hydropower system, the bikes could provide a discount of a few dollars each month depending on usage. The act of generating electricity with a bike has a certain novelty to it. The act of being able to ride a bike and see your laptop and phone charge can be fun while also bringing an appreciation of the process of power generation. This awareness would hopefully encourage people to change their daily habits so as to not waste electricity.

Conveniently, two of the authors of this policy report developed the skills to assemble the parts needed to power commonplace devices and appliances with a bike. The project was done partly for this report and partly in aid of City College’s sustainable energy club. Using a bicycle trainer, custom made gears, a 12 volt DC motor, a 12 volt battery, and an inverter, a system was constructed that transformed energy from an individual to useful electricity. The system could be manufactured and assembled partially in Manhattan and partially on Governors Island itself by the authors. In addition to the expected electricity savings due to the power generation and the awareness created, the bike system would also allow people to exercise indoors on their own

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bikes. Generating electricity and saving some money could possibly incentivize people to exercise, which should be promoted because exercise can improve mental and physical health of individuals.

Bicycle power stations could even provide an invaluable safety net during electrical outages. When high winds or other stimuli cause wires to go down, the only remaining way to get power is an isolated system such as a generator, solar system (one which is isolated from the grid for safety reasons), or a bike charging station. Generators use gas and solar is weather dependent, but the bicycle system can generate much needed electricity to power devices such as flashlights, radios, cell phones in times of need. Garbage Collection Yet another sustainable practice on the island should be recycling. Specifically, there should be large penalties for littering and small incentives in place for recycling. If the garbage collection system is set up effectively, very little trash will have to leave the island and end up in a landfill. It should be sorted according to many classifications. Individuals should divide their trash into materials that can be burned (such as wood), plastics that can be melted down and reused, material that can decompose naturally, metal, and materials that must leave the island. The last classification will include items such as batteries and hazardous chemicals that cannot be safely disposed of on the island. Renting Out Building Space (Work Space)

The Trust for Governors Island has issued a Request For Proposals for ideas on utilizing the buildings that are currently vacant (Trust for Governors Island – Current Policies). In the coming years, if a proposal appears to be practical, it will undergo several basic review processes before being implemented. In order to ensure the importance of practicing efficiency on the island, we propose a policy to incentivize the use of “green practices” on the island. The purpose of this policy is to reward those who contribute to the island’s goal of being self-sustaining and environmentally friendly.

The policy is aimed towards future tenants of the island whose businesses will occupy the buildings. In order to motivate these tenants to do their part in keeping Governors Island nature-friendly, the tenants who plan to use energy-efficient technology will receive a reduction on their lease. By implementing this policy, we hope to give many more future tenants a reason to support Governors Islands’ “green” initiatives.

A possible concern of this policy is that it may dissuade prospective tenants from leasing on the island out of fear of excess costs if they do not intend to utilize green technology within their practice. However, this policy poses no risk of adding to the expenses of any tenant on the island. On the contrary, it serves to reduce the costs of those who choose practice eco-friendly methods while adding no additional costs to those who do not.

Unlike the rest of New York City, Governors Island is an almost clean slate. It represents

the chance to do something completely original and unique. Our policies are meant to ensure that Governors Island develops into an eco-friendly and self-sustaining island. We hope that the infrastructure of the island will serve as an example for other places to look to for sustainable and efficient energy.

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V. Annotated Bibliography Introduction:

• Hooven, Molly. “EPA Releases List of Cities with the Most Energy Star Buildings in the United States.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. United States Environmental

Protection Agency. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/3f44410d94c8a098852579dd004a0183!OpenDocument>.

This news release by the EPA identifies New York City as one of the most energy efficient cities in the nation. It is based on Energy Star report on energy consumption vs. population and energy efficiency of buildings. The primary purpose of this source is to help support the idea that energy efficient policies are already in place in New York City but need to be further developed. History:

• Barbaro, A. G. Sulzberger And Michael. "New York City Takes Over Governors Island." The New York Times. The New York Times, 12 Apr. 2010. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/nyregion/12island.html?_r=1>.

This article announces that New York City has acquired Governors Island from the State of New York. Complications with the joint city and state ownership, such as funding for the island, are explained. With city ownership, the future of Governors Island looks bright. Possible redevelopment plans are offered, such as a university campus on Governors Island. The city, and its newly formed organization, the Governors Island Operating Entity (now the Trust) will oversee the operations of redevelopment. The city will be responsible for financing the redevelopment.

• "Host Your Event on the Island." The Trust for Governors Island. The Trust for Governors Island, n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.govisland.com/html/host/host.shtml>.

The Trust is open to many different types of events on Governors Island. Weddings, festivals, and concerts can all take place on the island. The Trust provides this webpage in order to guide people through the process of scheduling an even on Governors Island. Information such as a program guide and deadlines are provided.

• "Public Notices and Procurement Opportunities." The Trust for Governors Island. The Trust for Governors Island, n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.govisland.com/html/notices/notices.shtml>.

Public notices and Requests for Proposals are posted on this web page. The date of posting of each type of proposal is provided. Other available forms are Requests for Expressions of Interest and Invitations for Bids.

• "The Trust for Governors Island - History of Governors Island." The Trust for Governors Island. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.govisland.com/html/history/history.shtml>

This page, from the Governors Island website, gives a brief history of the island from the time when the Native Americans lived on it to present day. The Dutch bought the island, known for it’s vast abundance of different trees, for very little. Power would then shift from the Dutch to the British for the next few years. The island has also played important roles in many wars and served as a military base until being given over to the state (and city) to be developed strictly for public use.

Policy Mapping:

• "About the Alliance." Governors Island Alliance. Governors Island Alliance, n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.governorsislandalliance.org/about/>.

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This page, from the Governors Island Alliance’s website, states the Alliance’s mission statement and affiliation with the Trust and NPS. The page lists past accomplishments that resulted from the advocacy efforts of the group, including the movement to protect the historic district on the island and plans to open some historic buildings to the public. The page also lists various affiliates and investors of the Alliance. While the tone of the page does not suggest alignment with a specific policy camp, it is clearly designed to present the Alliance in a positive light and reflects the Alliance’s commitment to maintain the rich history and infrastructure of the island for the benefit of New Yorkers.

• "Design Principles." Governors Island Park & Public Space Master Plan. The Trust for Governors Island, n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.govislandpark.com/design-principles/>.

This webpage briefly summarizes the main objectives of the Governor’s Island Trust. It indicates the Trust’s stated intention to incorporate sustainable and feasible designs into future projects. In addition, the page emphasizes the engagement of the public in developing the island. A strong case is built for the Trust’s continued desire to redevelop the island and expresses a number of benefits derived from currents projects.

• Dorsey, Sherrell. "NYC Planning Commission Approves Cornell Tech’s Sustainable Campus on Roosevelt Island." Inhabitat New York City. Inhabitat, 21 Mar. 2013. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://inhabitat.com/nyc/nyc-approves-cornell-techs-sustainable-campus-on-roosevelt-island/>.

This article briefly mentions the New York City Planning commission’s approval of Cornell’s new technology campus on Roosevelt Island. It mentions some planned projects on the new campus including initiatives to develop solar canopies, hydro turbines and geothermal wells. The writer inexplicitly expresses an approval for Cornell’s push to expand on the island by casting the efforts of the university in a positive light. The purpose of this source is primarily to provide ideas for policy recommendations on Governors Island based on the similarity of the two islands.

• "General Management Plan - FAQ." National Parks Service. National Parks Service, 02 May 2013. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.nps.gov/gois/general-management-plan-frequently-asked-questions.htm>.

The FAQ section of The National Park Service’s website explains the purpose of its General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, which is to provide a long term plan for the operation of national parks. The GMP/EIS is required by law and is not specific to Governors Island, but a Draft GMP/EIS was created for Governors Island in 2008. The webpage contains a link to view this draft. The link, however, leads to the Final GMP/EIS for Governors Island.

• Glick, Deborah J. "N.Y.U. Freshmen Need a Campus - on Governors Island." The Villager Newspaper. The Villager, 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://thevillager.com/2012/04/19/n-y-u-freshmen-campus-on-governors-island/>.

Well-established, local New York City news source, The Villager, illustrates NYU’s desire to build a campus on Governors Island. Residents of the West Village would prefer NYU’s expansion on the island, because less of their neighborhood would be consumed by “NYU 2031.” Glick classifies this situation as “win-win.” NYU, however, is not guaranteed the land on Governors Island.

• "Should NYC Spend Millions to Redevelop Governors Island?" Crain's New York Business. Crains Communications Inc., 12 Apr. 2010. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://mycrains.crainsnewyork.com/blogs/polls/2010/04/should-nyc-spend-millions-to-r/>.

This page reports the results of an anonymous poll by Crain’s New York Business that posed the question of whether or not the city administration should maintain a budget in the hundreds of millions to fund redevelopment on Governor’s Island. These results serve as empirical data to

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support our assertion that the majority of people are for the redevelopment of the island. Furthermore, the results help support the Trust’s and city administration’s push to redevelop the island.

• Tennery, Amy. "NYU Expansion Plan Critics Still Protesting." The Real Deal: New York City Real Estate News. The Real Deal, 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://therealdeal.com/blog/2010/04/15/critics-of-new-york-university-expansion-plan-for-2031-intend-to-keep-protesting/>.

Immediately following the open house unveiling of NYU’s expansion plan, NYU 2031, The Real Deal published this article in order to highlight the large amount of criticism towards the plan. The local community organizations in the West Village are concerned about NYU’s proposed “superblock” that would destroy parkland and a community garden. Part of NYU’s plan is a satellite campus on Governors Island, but Mayor Bloomberg noted that it is the city’s role to allocate and on Governors Island.

• "The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966." Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 25 Jan. 2009. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.achp.gov/nhpa.html>.

This is a direct link to a transcript of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. It details the provisions that prohibit invasive redevelopment efforts in the land owned by the NPS. Primarily, this document serves to provide the guidelines and restrictions we must keep in mind when

performing construction near the north shore of the island. With respect to policy on the island, the document primarily supports the NPS objectives on the island.

• United States Department of the Interior. Superintendent’s Compendium of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary Authority. National Park Service. New York. September 12 2012. http://www.nps.gov/gois/parkmgmt/upload/GOIS-Final-Compendium-9-30-12.pdf

This federal document officially establishes the area of operations of the National Park Service on Governors Island. The National Park Service must manage 22 acres of land as a National Monument. The document outlines visiting hours, public use limits, and park restrictions. The document also recognizes the Trust for Governors Island as the owner of the remaining 150 acres of land on Governors Island.

Organic Farm:

• Lee, Jennifer . "On Governors I., an Organic Farm With a View - NYTimes.com." Metro - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/22/on-governors-ian-organic-farm-with-a-view/>

This article was written at the time of the opening of the Governors Island Farm. The author describes how the farm is run and what is expected from it, in terms of publicity and revenue. The author, like others, sees Governors Island as a place that has the potential to become an important part of New York City. This article informed us of the existence of a farm on Governors Island and inspired us to write about a policy that fully utilizes this farm.

• "Sustainable Table | Sustainable Agriculture - The Basics ." GRACE Communications Foundation . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.gracelinks.org/246/sustainable-agriculture-the-basics>

This page provides information on the benefits of sustainable farming. In addition, it directly compares sustainable agriculture with industrial agriculture. The dangers of industrial agriculture and its practices affect the livestock as well as the consumers regularly. Sustainable agriculture provides healthy food without endangering the well being of future generations.

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Water Turbines/Hydropower: • "New York Tidal Power Project - Tidal."Renewable Energy UK. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013.

<http://www.reuk.co.uk/New-York-Tidal-Power-Project.htm> The article details the workings of the water turbines in the East River. It goes in depth describing the motions of the turbines and their speed. The article also clears up a few points on the turbines’ effects on its surrounding. Most importantly, the turbines do not present any risk to the surrounding marine life nor do they emit any disruptive sounds.

• "Turbines Off NYC East River Will Provide Power to 9,500 Residents | Department of Energy." Energy.gov | Department of Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. <http://energy.gov/articles/turbines-nyc-east-river-will-provide-power-9500-residents>

This article describes the plan of building turbines in the East River. It also sets out the future goals and the expected date of completion of the project. This article stresses the fact that upon completion, these turbines will provide power to thousands of residents (about 1000 households). We used the measurements for the expected power to be generated to predict the necessities of Governors Island and how many turbines it would require.

• "Verdant Power." Verdant Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. <http://verdantpower.com/what systemsint2/>

Verdant Power, the company responsible for the water turbines in the East River, describes the reasoning behind their decisions. The company supports the use of tidal energy and recognizes its power and potential. It plans to show the potential of this energy by having their turbines power ~1000 homes. This plan heavily influenced our own policy for the turbines in the Upper New York Bay, which are based on the model developed by Verdant Power.

Renting Out Building Space: • "The Trust for Governors Island - Future Park and Public Spaces - Planning &

Development." The Trust for Governors Island. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://www.govisland.com/html/future/planning.shtml> This page explains the current RFP policy by the Trust for Governors Island. It describes the expected process a proposal goes through if it interests the Trust. The information on this page is written by the Trust itself so the policy they describe is something they fully support. Our policy on renting out building space extends this policy further and slightly alters the criteria that the trust would use for evaluating policies.