Governors Island plan for Building 19 draws praise for accessibility, criticism for canopy and mechanicals; LPC asks for redesign

Designers and the Trust for Governors Island presented a plan May 6 to rehabilitate Building 19 in Nolan Park, Governors Island, including the removal of later additions, new entrances, two barrier‑free ramps, a stone rear porch and a mechanical enclosure. Commissioners praised the access goals but raised multiple preservation and design concerns and asked the applicant to revise the application and return.

Scope of work: The Trust and architect Jackwoods Gardner (Mark Gardner) described a program to return the former officer’s quarters to public and nonprofit use while improving equitable access from both Nolan Park and Evans Road. Proposed work includes: reconstruction of an east‑facing porch; a north‑side accessible ramp that ties into the existing pedestrian walk; a rear stone platform and seating area; removal of a non‑historic garage and service additions; replacement of deteriorated porches and chimneys; and a new mechanical enclosure screened with fiber‑cement panels. The project also proposes a new roof overrun and stair/elevator access details to support public programming.

Preservation and public comments: The Historic Districts Council welcomed restoration and access but urged material choices appropriate to the house; Lucy Levine (HDC) suggested brick rather than a large stone deck and applauded the applicant’s attention to a proper ramp design. The Victorian Society and other commenters objected to the fixed metal canopy proposed at the west elevation, saying it read as a Tribeca loading dock; they recommended alternatives such as wood pergolas or retractable canvas awnings. Commissioners and public commenters also questioned the mechanical enclosure’s size, its material and location, requested greater historic‑material fidelity for porch balustrades and raised concerns about the proposed painted “pink” entrance color and the use of chain‑link type fence at the ramp.

Accessibility choices and alternatives: Applicants said ramps are preferred over lifts because lifts require ongoing maintenance; multiple commissioners agreed that ramps are more reliable. The team explained the intent to integrate ramps into the landscape over time so they read more subtly; staff asked for more detailed guardrail and ramp designs and suggested the ramp detailing used successfully at Building 20 as a precedent. The project team said the mechanical enclosure could be adjusted, and said color and finish options remained under consideration.

Commission action: LPC closed the hearing and did not approve the application. Commissioners directed the applicant to return with revised drawings addressing the canopy tiebacks/supports, mechanical enclosure location and design, ramp detailing and material choices (including reconsideration of stone versus brick for the rear deck) and to refine color choices. The commission noted broad support for the project’s accessibility aims but requested design changes to better align new elements with the nineteenth‑century house’s character.

Next steps: The applicant will revise the submission in consultation with LPC staff and with attention to the comments above and will return for further review. Commissioners emphasized that reuse and year‑round public programming were desirable but asked the applicant to reduce visual intrusions and to use materials and details more closely related to the building’s historic character.