In 1985, 92 acres of Governors Island was designated a National Historic Landmark, and the Feds transferred the island to the state, the city and the National Park Service in 2003.

Design Team Named

What to do with the island has long been debated, but now N.Y. Gov. Spitzer and Mayor Bloomberg have officially named a design team to turn 40 acres of the southern half of the island into a park. Picture rolling hills made from recyclable materials, a two-mile promenade around the island, botanical gardens, wetlands and an amphitheater facing the Statute of Liberty. The ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Wetlands and an amphitheater facing the Statue of Liberty are in the works.

The plans call for 3,000 trees on what is now a small golf course. The car-free island would be accessed by a seven-minute ferry ride. Free bikes will be available for visitors to explore the island.

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A two-mile promenade will circle the island, with free bikes for people to explore. A gondola to the island is even being considered.

The design team is West 8, Rogers Marvel Architects; Diller Scofidio + Renfro; Quennell Rothschild and SMWM. The team will be led by Netherland-based landscape architect Adriann Geuze. Mayor Bloomberg deemed the design team ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corp., which is overseeing development, is exploring the possibility of a gondola to take visitors to and from the island.