The Trust for Governors Island

The Governors Island Corporation, doing business as The Trust for Governors Island, is the 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization created by the City of New York and charged with the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations of 150 acres of Governors Island. The Trust’s mission is to transform Governors Island into a vibrant resource for New York City, making the Island a destination with extraordinary public open space, as well as educational, not-for-profit, and commercial facilities. With the mandate to activate Governors Island, maximize public use and attract long term tenants, the Trust has led with arts, culture, and design.

The Trust is currently transforming Governors Island into a destination with extraordinary public open space, as well as educational, nonprofit, and commercial facilities. Thirty new acres of park and public spaces opened to the public for the first time in 2014. In 2016 the Trust opened The Hills, the crowning feature of the new park. Made of recycled construction and fill materials, The Hills rise 25 to 70 feet above the Harbor. The summit of the tallest hill provides visitors with a 360-degree panorama of the Statue of Liberty, New York harbor, and the Lower Manhattan skyline.

In addition to the completion of the park, the Trust is proceeding with an ambitious infrastructure program to ready the Island for expanded tenancy and activity. In addition to existing nonprofit and educational tenants, the Trust will soon welcome Governors Island’s first commercial tenant, QC Terme, a destination day spa. The move will help the organization achieve its goal of making the Island an extraordinary public resource with a vibrant mix of uses and activities

Board Members

Carl Weisbrod, Chair

Margaret Chin

Cheryl Effron

Alicia Glen

Karen Brooks Hopkins

Catherine Hughes

Patrick Kennell

Benjamin Lawsky

Susan Mercandetti

Daniel Neidich

Kevin Ryan

Tokumbo Shobowale

Daniel Squadron

Staff

Michael Samuelian, President & CEO