Governors Island needs city's stewardship

Today, WSN published an article on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan for New York City to take  ownership of Governors Island from New York State. For the last 15 years, the two owners have  struggled to work together to establish a sustainable community on the island.

Giving control to the city would be ideal because it would finally allow for development of the island, whether or not it includes NYU.

But in the spring of 2007, the university said it would be interested in the space if the city offered it.  Although Bloomberg has not yet given a green light to the university, his administration has signaled that an educational institution would work well there.

Debate is still needed within the NYU community before advancing on Governors Island. Currently, the only way to reach the island is by ferry, an option many students disapproved of when NYU planners first pitched the plan to open a satellite campus on the island.

The Board implores the university to consult the community regarding any decision to expand on the island. However, the opportunity to develop the land is a needed step in the right direction.