Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, September 6, 2001
Release # 309-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Peter C. Fenty (212) 788-2958
  Gregory Miley / Janel Patterson (EDC) (212) 312-3523
  Thomas Cocola (DOT) (212) 442-7033


MAYOR GIULIANI AND STATEN ISLAND BOROUGH PRESIDENT MOLINARI
JOIN OFFICIALS AT GROUND BREAKING FOR ST. GEORGE
FERRY TERMINAL RENOVATION

$84 Million Project Will Provide Enhanced Transportation Services, Quality Retail
and Waterfront Restaurant for Commuters, Residents and Tourists


Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Staten Island Borough President Guy V. Molinari broke ground today for the $84 million renovation project of the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island, which will transform the terminal into a 21st Century intermodal transportation hub. The Mayor and Borough President were joined at the ceremony by the Speaker of the City Council Peter F. Vallone, U. S. Congressman Vito Fossella, New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Michael G. Carey, and Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall.

"This is a tremendously important project for the tens of thousands of Islanders who commute each day on the Staten Island Ferry," said Mayor Giuliani. "Not only will this new terminal boast a state-of-the-art design, it will also include a host of wonderful amenities and commuter comforts sorely lacking in the current facility. The new St. George Terminal will join many other, equally spectacular projects that are now transforming the Island's North Shore waterfront into a world class tourist attraction and destination."

When the renovations are completed, the new St. George Ferry Terminal will link up with the Richmond County Savings Bank Ballpark, home of the Staten Island Yankees; the National Lighthouse Museum; and other development projects in the immediate St. George area.

Mayor Giuliani said that the renovated terminal, "will truly be a 'Gateway to Staten Island', one that all New Yorkers can be proud of. It will also be the perfect complement for the new Whitehall Ferry Terminal now under construction across the harbor in Lower Manhattan."

Both the St. George and Whitehall Ferry Terminals are scheduled to be completed simultaneously in early 2004.

EDC is overseeing the project on behalf of the Department of Transportation. The New York Office of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) is the architect for the design, which received the New York City Art Commission Award for Design Excellence in 2000. The construction manager is Barney Skanska Construction Company. The project is being funded by a combination of City, State and Federal funds, including those from the Federal TEA-21 program and a loan from the TIFIA program.

The renovation will recreate the terminal's waiting room as a bright, open space featuring a forty-foot glass wall facing the harbor, providing expansive views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. A clerestory - a band of windows at ceiling height - will surround the waiting room on all four sides to admit an abundance of natural light. A new promenade, extending from Richmond Terrace, will replace the existing mix of asphalt and sidewalks, and will provide a direct path for commuters from the street into the terminal through a glass-enclosed entryway. The terminal will remain fully operational during the reconstruction.

Borough President Guy V. Molinari said, "The groundbreaking for the new terminal represents the culmination of years of planning, design and redesign. The new terminal will include wonderful amenities added in several phases since the original design was presented. Commuters will love the user-friendly terminal and the aesthetics included to make the facility attractive, as well as functional. This renovation is probably the most important step taken in the last century to improve service for those who commute by ferry each day, as well as the millions of tourists who make the Staten Island Ferry one of the greatest attractions in New York City."

The new 190,000-square-foot terminal will be approximately 20,000 square feet larger than the present facility. The retail component will increase by more than 5,000 square feet, for a total of 20,000 square feet. It will accommodate an appealing mix of uses, including quality retail and a waterfront restaurant. In addition, the new facility will feature more than 100,000 square feet of outdoor viewing areas on a two-level outdoor plaza. The state-of-the-art HVAC system will provide year-round comfort for passengers and visitors in the waiting room.

City Council Speaker Vallone said, "It's about time that the residents of Staten Island have a modern and user-friendly terminal that will compliment their state-of-the-art baseball stadium."

"Today we take an important step forward in the revitalization of St. George and the construction of a world-class ferry terminal," said Congressman Fossella. "This new ferry terminal will serve as the gateway to Staten Island, welcoming millions of people to our borough every year. It will also help to make the daily commute for thousands of Staten Islanders more convenient and enjoyable. I am delighted to have helped secure federal funding for the reconstruction of the St. George and Whitehall Ferry terminals and for three new Staten Island Ferry boats."

"Today marks yet another wonderful event for the Staten Island ferry system, as we begin work on the renovation of the St. George Ferry Terminal," said DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall. "In August we announced that we received qualified bids for three new Kennedy-class ferry boats, and, of course, we continue our work at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal. In the foreseeable future, the roughly 65,000 daily commuters will be treated to two new ferry terminals, three new boats, and the greatest ride in town."

The many transportation improvements in the new terminal include more efficient traffic circulation systems to separate pedestrians, buses and livery vehicles; a landscaped pedestrian walkway connecting Richmond Terrace and the terminal entry; elevator access to all public spaces; a new drop-off location for 40 cars on the lower level; and direct walkway links to the new Richmond County Bank Ballpark to the northwest and the future home of the National Lighthouse Museum to the south.

"More than one million tourists ride the Staten Island Ferry each year, in addition to the thousands of commuters who use it each day," said EDC President Michael G. Carey. "With the success of the Staten Island Yankees and this enhanced ferry terminal, significant additional private sector investment will inevitably be attracted to the Staten Island waterfront."

More than 18 million people rode the Staten Island Ferry boats in FY 2001, making the St. George Ferry Terminal one of the busiest transportation hubs in New York City. The facility also is one of the primary gateways for the Island, the fastest growing borough in the City, and the fastest growing county in the State. Since 1990, Staten Island 's population rose by more than 17%, or just under 65,000 persons.

The infrastructure of the new terminal will be completely upgraded with new electrical, mechanical and ventilation systems. The new facility will also feature improved passenger amenities, such as upgraded restrooms, seating areas and signage. Photovoltaic louvers that will save on energy costs, and other green technologies incorporated into the design will make it the first United States Green Building Council LEED Certified Intermodal Center in the country.

In cooperation with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program, Staten Island artist Michael Falco will create a mural for the main entrance lobby that will depict the history of the New York Harbor.

EDC is the City's primary vehicle for economic development. Using its estate and financial resources, EDC helps develop business and create jobs throughout the five boroughs. EDC is also responsible for the redevelopment of City-owned waterfront properties.


www.nyc.gov