To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Most people who pass through the 10-acre site that was once the 19th-century home of the U.S. Lighthouse Service only use the space as a shortcut to the St. George Ferry Terminal. Yet the city's Economic Development Corporation sees more potential for the historical pier, plaza and buildings.

The long-vacant space will host a free summer movie and concert series called "Summerfest At The Pier," thanks to the Downtown Staten Island Council, a not-for-profit dedicated to revitalizing Downtown Staten Island.

"People can see what a wonderful place it is and then hopefully we'll catch the eye of developers and we can spur some economic development down here," says Kamillah Hanks of the Downtown Staten Island Council.

The city purchased the land back in 1979 to be used by the Department of Transportation. The historic former Coast Guard base was chosen in 1998 to become the home of a national lighthouse museum, as a nod to the borough's storied maritime history and plethora of historical lighthouses.

Plans for the museum fell apart last year, when the museum board disbanded, citing an inability to raise the necessary $15 million needed to build the project.

Now, the Downtown Staten Island Council hopes its summer events at the lighthouse space can breathe some life back into the area. Last year, the summer movie series drew about 4,000 people to the Richmond County Ballpark for drive-in movies. Organizers are hoping to attract at least that many to the former lighthouse space to get people talking about what the space can be used for in the future.

"The under-utilization of the waterfronts in Staten Island is just incredible and this was a way to open up the waterfront, to show people that we have prime real estate," says Hanks. "This is prime development and it's being lost to disrepair."

At least one of the buildings on the site is eligible for landmark status and city officials say a mixed-use redevelopment plan will include all of the old buildings.

"Summerfest At The Pier" will kick off on Saturday, July 10, with various movies and concerts and day-long festivals designed to support local artists and vendors. For a list of the events, visit www.downtownsi.com.