Private Island To Become a Part of New York City

The last privately held island in the East River has been transferred to the City of New York using a combination of public and private funds.

1 minute read

November 21, 2007, 1:00 PM PST

By binsmith

"Historically overlooked and unwanted, it changed hands for $10 in 1975, despite being located in the middle of New York City."

"But South Brother, the last East River island of any significant size to remain in private hands, will finally get its due today when it is formally transferred to the city as part of a complex $2 million deal brokered by the Trust for Public Land and financed with federal money secured by United States Representative José E. Serrano."

"South Brother, situated between the Bronx and Queens and within sight of the Rikers Island guard towers, will most likely be left as it is, officials said, preserved as a nature sanctuary and administered by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation."

FULL STORY: City Claims Final Private Island in East River

Tuesday, November 20, 2007 in The New York Times

Environment History / Preservation New York

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