Submitted by Scott Baker, Dec 7, 2006 10:55

Regarding the renovations at the U.N. I proposal a way to:

1. Lessen the traffic by the United Nations

2. Improve the security of the United Nations and its members

3. Improve the facilities of the United Nations

4. Open up the area between 42st to 48st and First Avenue to the FDR for redevelopment including

A. A continuation of the East River esplanade and Greenway

B. Opening up the U.N. park and expanding its usage

C. Providing a site for a badly needed school and prime residential/office space in East Midtown Manhattan

5. Keep New York as the International Host city for the most important international organization in the world - the United Nations.

The way to do all of these things would be to build a new United Nations headquarters on Governor's Island. Governors Island is 172 acres, large enough for a heliport, a highly secure dignitaries only hotel, a port which could be closed for security reasons at any time, at much less cost and disruption than closing First Avenue and the side streets now. Some historic buildings could be retained or reused and the island open to tourists and U.N. tours when appropriate. But the historical significance of the island simply is not on par with the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island, and it is unlikely to ever be the kind of draw these other two ferry accessible islands are today. However, by moving the U.N. New York would gain extremely valuable real estate for city use, unclaimed (because it is currently international territory) by any private interests.

Unfortunately, when I suggested this to Marc Hicks, Chief of Staff of the office of Deputy Mayor, he said it had already been suggested and rejected by the U.N. members. As Mr. Hicks points out, they own the site, so there is little the city can do beyond suggesting this and offering assistance.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.