Governor's Island

Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, and Members of the Subcommittee. My name is Joseph Moravec and I am the Commissioner of General Services Administration's (GSA's) Public Buildings Service. Thank you for inviting me here to today to discuss S. 689 and the status of Governors Island.

Located in the New York Harbor only one-half mile off the southern tip of Manhattan, Governors Island is a truly unique facility comprised of 172 acres improved by 225 buildings. Half of the Island is designated as a National Historic District, with architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The Island was home to the US Army until 1966 when the US Coast Guard took possession of the Island for its Atlantic Command Headquarters. For over thirty years, the Coast Guard occupied the Island, and in 1995, they announced that they would vacate. In 1996, the Coast Guard's residential components began to leave, and in 1997 its operational units left.

With funding provided by GSA, the Coast Guard provides a caretaker detachment to protect and maintain the Island. Since FY 1998, GSA has expended between 6 and 10 million dollars per year to protect and maintain the Island. Coast Guard's maintenance of this historic facility recently garnered special recognition by the New York State Parks and Recreation Department at its annual awards ceremony in May of 2000.

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires that the Island be disposed at fair market value no earlier than Fiscal Year 2002. It also states that before a sale is made that the State of New York and the City of New York shall be given the right of first offer to purchase all or part of Governors Island at fair market value. Therefore, over the last four years we have been actively collaborating with the State of New York, the City of New York, community groups, and local citizens on the reuse of Governors Island. Thus far, we have completed a Land Use Study, an Environmental Impact Statement consistent with NEPA, a Fair Market Value Appraisal, and a Historic Design Manual. Representatives of the State and the City participated with GSA and played a key role in developing the current planning documents. To

better educate and inform the public about the Island, we offer monthly tours of the Island. We have also arranged for special tours for the Regional Plan Association, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other interested organizations. Through an open, public process, we have made the necessary preparations for a disposal by FY 2002, consistent with existing law.

Through several formal letters, two major conference calls, and numerous telephone conversations with the City and the State, we have kept the lines of communication open with the City and State.

As I understand the proposed law "Governors Island Preservation Act of 2001" (S. 689), portions of the island not included in the National Monument designation would be conveyed at no cost from GSA to the State of New York. While my options are limited under current law, I will faithfully carry out any and all duly enacted statutes.

This concludes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.