Mayor issues call to transform acres of Governors Island into climate research hub

The mayor is inviting academic institutions the opportunity to apply for space on Governors Island to advance the city’s climate goals.  Photo via NYC Mayor’s Office/Flickr

By Rachel Vick

Governors Island’s future as a hub for climate research took one step forward with the announcement of a multi-million funding boost to encourage an institution to take advantage of the opportunity to lease the space this week.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Trust for Governors Island issued a Request for Expressions of Interest for institutions looking to set up a Climate Solutions Center somewhere on the available 33 acres of sites available for development or to reuse up to one million square feet of space available in the island’s historic buildings.

“Governors Island is a crown jewel of this city – a place where families, workers and students have come to enjoy a beautiful landscape with spectacular views of the greatest city in the world,” de Blasio said. “But we can get more out of this unique space. We can maintain the island’s identity while turning it into a world-class destination for fighting the climate crisis in New York City and across the world.”

Applicants should propose facilities that will help prepare communities around the world for the impacts of climate change, create good-paying green jobs across the city and foster public awareness while expanding the island’s function for New Yorkers. 

Lisa Garcia, director of Grist’s Climate Solutions Lab and member of the Trust for Governors Island’s Board of Directors, said that the space on Governors Island “offers unparalleled opportunities for public engagement in climate action.” 

“Cities cannot address climate change without ensuring that environmental justice is embedded into our decision-making, policies, and solutions,” she added.

The plan to transform the island into a climate education and research hub has been applauded by activists and elected officials, including existing tenants like the Climate Museum and the Billion Oyster project, with earlier announcements as part of the  Mayor’s Recovery Agenda.

“This initiative represents an extraordinary opportunity for global climate leadership with a focus on equity, community, and civic action – a necessary scale-out of the meaningful work the Trust for Governors Island has already been doing,” said Miranda Massie, director of the Climate Museum. “We're prouder than ever to be part of the cultural ecosystem the Trust has created, and very excited for all that's to come.”

Responses are due by Sept. 29.