De Blasio names Clare Newman president of Governors Island

The leadership shakeup continues as the city moves to rezone portions of the island's southern shore

Clare Newman and Alicia Glen with Governors Island (Credit: Governors Island, Getty Images and iStock)
Clare Newman and Alicia Glen with Governors Island (Credit: Governors Island, Getty Images and iStock)

Mayor Bill De Blasio has appointed Clare Newman, the current executive vice president of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, to be president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island.

Newman will replace current president Michael Samuelian, who was also appointed by De Blasio, Crain’s reported. Samuelian was pushed out by former Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, and is slated to step down in June.

The leadership shakeup comes amid a potential rezoning on two development sites on Governors Island’s southern shore. The areas are currently zoned for residential use but are under restrictions that limit residential development on the entire island to student housing.

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The city announced a proposed rezoning in August that would allow low-rise commercial buildings.

Glen, who decided to take over the project at former chair Carl Weisbrod’s urging, previously expressed regret at not being able to accomplish more on Governors Island during her tenure as deputy mayor. [Crain’s] — Georgia Kromrei