Editing Ellis Island (section)

====Initial redevelopment plans====
[[File:Ellis Island Complex.jpg|thumb|left|Seen from east. From left to right: contagious diseases ward; lawn; hospital; ferry basin; main building, kitchen, dormitory, and immigration building]]
After the immigration station closed, the buildings fell into disrepair and were abandoned,<ref name="nyt19640716">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/16/archives/once-teeming-ellis-island-bleak-and-crumbling-is-now-the-home-of-a.html |title=Once Teeming Ellis Island, Bleak and Crumbling, Is Now the Home of a Lone Black Dog |date=July 16, 1964 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607235746/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/16/archives/once-teeming-ellis-island-bleak-and-crumbling-is-now-the-home-of-a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[General Services Administration]] (GSA) took over the island in March 1955.<ref name="NPS-ellis-island-chronology" /> The GSA wanted to sell off the island as "surplus property"<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrine for Sale |date=December 2, 1962 |work=Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27461272/ |location=New York |access-date=June 5, 2019 |page=204 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329133902/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-wwp-key-project/27461272/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and contemplated several options, including selling the island back to the city of New York<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gift of Ellis Island To City Now Hinted |date=November 17, 1957 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/11/17/archives/gift-of-ellis-island-to-city-now-hinted-ellis-island-gift-to-city.html |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607235749/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/11/17/archives/gift-of-ellis-island-to-city-now-hinted-ellis-island-gift-to-city.html |url-status=live }}</ref> or auctioning it to a private buyer.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/09/14/archives/ellis-island-will-be-sold-at-auction-u-s-selling-haven-of-migration.html |title=Ellis Island Will Be Sold at Auction; U. S. Selling Haven of Migration Days for Private Use |last=Lawn |first=Victor H. |date=September 14, 1956 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607235750/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/09/14/archives/ellis-island-will-be-sold-at-auction-u-s-selling-haven-of-migration.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1959, real estate developer [[Sol Atlas]] unsuccessfully bid for the island, with plans to turn it into a $55&nbsp;million resort with a hotel, marina, music shell, tennis courts, swimming pools, and skating rinks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-1958-plan-to-turn-ellis-island-into-a-vacation-resort-124287872/ |title=The 1958 Plan to Turn Ellis Island Into a Vacation Resort |last=Novak |first=Matt |date=June 18, 2012 |website=Smithsonian |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608222347/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-1958-plan-to-turn-ellis-island-into-a-vacation-resort-124287872/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sol Atlas Dies; Builder Was 66 |date=July 31, 1973 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/31/archives/sol-atlas-dies-builder-was-66-expert-on-shopping-centers-also.html |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329170501/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/31/archives/sol-atlas-dies-builder-was-66-expert-on-shopping-centers-also.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] designed the $100&nbsp;million "Key Project",{{Efn|The name "Key Project" is a reference to how "the island represented the key to freedom and opportunity for so many."<ref name="Key Project 1" /><ref name="Key Project 2" />|name= |group= }} which included housing, hotels, and large domes along the edges. However, Wright died before presenting the project.<ref name="Key Project 1">{{cite web |url=https://www.metropolismag.com/architecture/how-frank-lloyd-wright-would-have-transformed-ellis-island/ |title=How Frank Lloyd Wright Would Have Transformed Ellis Island |date=July 11, 2017 |website=Metropolis |access-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603022758/https://www.metropolismag.com/architecture/how-frank-lloyd-wright-would-have-transformed-ellis-island/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Key Project 2">{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/lady-liberty-meets-the-jetsons-frank-lloyd-wrights-futurist-dream-for-ellis-island |title=Lady Liberty Meets The Jetsons: Frank Lloyd Wright's Futurist Dream For Ellis Island |date=August 19, 2017 |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=June 3, 2019 |last1=McNearney |first1=Allison |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731010757/https://www.thedailybeast.com/lady-liberty-meets-the-jetsons-frank-lloyd-wrights-futurist-dream-for-ellis-island |url-status=live }}</ref> Other attempts at redeveloping the site, including a college,<ref>{{Cite news |title=College Visioned for Ellis Island |last=Hechinger |first=Fred M. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/08/29/archives/college-visioned-for-ellis-island-noted-educators-plan-calls-for.html |date=August 29, 1960 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607235741/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/08/29/archives/college-visioned-for-ellis-island-noted-educators-plan-calls-for.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a [[retirement home]],<ref name="nyt19640716" /> an [[Alcoholism|alcoholics']] rehabilitation center,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/03/06/archives/ellis-island-bill-offered.html |title=Ellis Island Bill Offered |date=March 6, 1956 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607235741/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/03/06/archives/ellis-island-bill-offered.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a [[List of World Trade Centers|world trade center]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/03/16/archives/ellis-island-trade-fair-urged-1000000-yearly-to-us-seen.html |title=Ellis Island Trade Fair Urged; $1,000,000 Yearly to U.S. Seen |date=March 16, 1955 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607235747/https://www.nytimes.com/1955/03/16/archives/ellis-island-trade-fair-urged-1000000-yearly-to-us-seen.html |url-status=live }}</ref> were all unsuccessful.<ref name="nyt19640716" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32471127/ |title=Ellis Island to Become National Historical Site |date=November 11, 1965 |work=The News |access-date=June 5, 2019 |location=Paterson, NJ |page=10 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010070116/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32471127/ellis-island-to-become-national/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1963, the Jersey City Council voted to [[Zoning|rezone]] the island's area within New Jersey for high-rise residential, monument/museum, or recreational use, though the new zoning ordinance banned "[[Coney Island]]"-style amusement parks.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jersey City Votes Ellis Island Zoning |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/08/07/archives/jersey-city-votes-ellis-island-zoning.html |date=August 7, 1963 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164103/https://www.nytimes.com/1963/08/07/archives/jersey-city-votes-ellis-island-zoning.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32471127/ |title=Bill Restricts Ellis Island |agency=Associated Press |date=August 17, 1963 |work=The Record |access-date=June 5, 2019 |location=Hackensack, NJ |page=36 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010070116/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32471127/ellis-island-to-become-national/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 1964, the [[National Park Service]] published a report that proposed making Ellis Island part of a [[National monument (United States)|national monument]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ellis Island Plan Due |date=June 13, 1964 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/13/archives/ellis-island-plan-due.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164056/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/13/archives/ellis-island-plan-due.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This idea was approved by [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]] [[Stewart Udall]] in October 1964.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 22, 1964 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/22/archives/udall-approves-us-park-on-ellis-island.html |title=Udall Approves U.S. Park on Ellis Island |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164053/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/22/archives/udall-approves-us-park-on-ellis-island.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ellis Island was added to the [[Statue of Liberty National Monument]] on May 11, 1965,<ref name="Proclamation 3656" /><ref name="n32471127">{{cite news |title=Ellis Island Finds Shelter With Miss Liberty |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32471127/ |last=Healy |first=Paul |date=May 12, 1965 |work=Daily News |location=New York |access-date=June 5, 2019 |page=3 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010070116/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32471127/ellis-island-to-become-national/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Unrau pp. 1165-1169">{{harvnb|ps=.|Unrau|1984c|pp=1165–1169}}</ref> and that August, President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] approved the redevelopment of the island as a museum and park.<ref name="Unrau pp. 1165-1169" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 19, 1965 |title=Johnson Signs Measure To Develop Ellis Island |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/08/19/archives/johnson-signs-measure-to-develop-ellis-island.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164052/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/08/19/archives/johnson-signs-measure-to-develop-ellis-island.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The initial master plan for the redevelopment of Ellis Island, designed by [[Philip Johnson]], called for the construction of the Wall, a large "stadium"-shaped monument to replace the structures on the island's northwest side, while preserving the main building and hospital.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/02/25/archives/design-unveiled-for-national-shrine-on-ellis-island-design-unveiled.html |title=Design Unveiled for National Shrine on Ellis Island |last=Friendly |first=Alfred Jr. |date=February 25, 1966 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608165648/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/02/25/archives/design-unveiled-for-national-shrine-on-ellis-island-design-unveiled.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Stakely p. 103">{{harvnb|ps=.|Stakely|2003|p=103}}</ref> However, no appropriations were immediately made, other than a $250,000 allocation for emergency repairs in 1967. By the late 1960s, the abandoned buildings were deteriorating severely.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/03/05/archives/ellis-island-at-low-point-in-its-history.html |title=Ellis Island at Low Point in Its History |last=Stevens |first=William K. |date=March 5, 1968 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164102/https://www.nytimes.com/1968/03/05/archives/ellis-island-at-low-point-in-its-history.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32473434/ |title=Ellis Island, Once Hope for Millions, Is Now Waiting for a Handout |last=Fleysher |first=Ellen |date=July 27, 1969 |work=Daily News |location=New York |access-date=June 5, 2019 |page=128 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329133740/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-ellis-island-once-hope-for-m/32473434/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Stakely p. 103" /> Johnson's plan was never implemented due to public opposition and a lack of funds.<ref name="Stakely p. 103" /> Another master plan was proposed in 1968, which called for the rehabilitation of the island's northern side and the demolition of all buildings, including the hospital, on the southern side.<ref name="Stakely pp. 105, 107">{{harvnb|ps=.|Stakely|2003|pp=105, 107}}</ref> The Jersey City Jobs Corpsmen started rehabilitating part of Ellis Island the same year, in accordance with this plan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32475699/ |title=Ellis Island National Park May Become Reality in 1969 |date=February 6, 1968 |work=The News |access-date=June 5, 2019 |location=Paterson, NJ |page=17 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329133908/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-ellis-island-national-park-may/32475699/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Stakely pp. 105, 107" /> This was soon halted indefinitely because of a lack of funding.<ref name="Stakely pp. 105, 107" /> In 1970, a [[squatters]]' club called the National Economic Growth and Reconstruction Organization (NEGRO) started refurbishing buildings as part of a plan to turn the island into an addiction rehabilitation center,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/07/25/archives/squatters-put-life-in-to-ellis-island-ellis-island-is-given-new.html |title=Squatters Put Life Into Ellis Island |last=Carmody |first=Deirdre |date=July 25, 1970 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164053/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/07/25/archives/squatters-put-life-in-to-ellis-island-ellis-island-is-given-new.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but were evicted after less than two weeks.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/08/02/archives/black-squatters-quit-ellis-island-groups-leader-still-hopes-for.html |title=Black Squatters Quit Ellis Island |last=Fraser |first=C. Gerald |date=August 2, 1970 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164054/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/08/02/archives/black-squatters-quit-ellis-island-groups-leader-still-hopes-for.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Unrau pp. 1185-1186">{{harvnb|ps=.|Unrau|1984c|pp=1185–1186}}</ref> NEGRO's permit to renovate the island were ultimately terminated in 1973.<ref name="Unrau pp. 1185-1186" />