New York City may soon get a hotel or event space in a most unlikely spot: Governors Island, just off the "coast" (as it were) of lower Manhattan.
According to city website DNAInfo, new renderings of the island (which is transforming from a summer-only spot into a year-round destination) indicate a possible spa, hotel or conference center that might eventually open as part of the private redevelopment of existing buildings in the Governors Island Historic District.
The island is currently sorting through 15 proposals for the reuse of 40 historic buildings on the northern half of the island, according to Leslie Koch, the president of The Trust for Governors Island.
Potential tenants reportedly come from "a variety of educational, hospitality, nonprofit and commercial backgrounds," but the idea of an outdoor pool "is an exciting prospect for the former military base," Koch reportedly said.
According to the Governors Island Blog, new park spaces on the island include Liggett Terrace, a six-acre plaza with seasonal plantings, seating, water features and public art; Hammock Grove, a shady ten-acre space that is home to 1,500 new trees, play areas and hammocks; and the Play Lawn, 14 acres that include two turf ball fields sized for adult softball and Little League baseball. These spaces will open for public use in May 2014. The Hills, an additional 10 acres of park, are currently under construction and will open to the public in May 2015.