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Pavilion preservation project breaks ground
$24M reconstruction plan to restore observation towers to ‘former glory’ begins
Restoration work will begin on the observation towers at the New York State Pavilion in Flushing
Meadows Corona Park. Courtesy of Daniel Avila/NYC Parks
BY BILL PARRY
There was quite a buzz
back in July 2015 when the
International Union of Painting
and Allied Trades voluntarily
used apprentices to repaint
the crown of the New
York State Pavilion in its
original “American Cheese”
yellow paint. Not much
has happened since at old
World’s Fair site in Flushing
Meadows Corona Park, but
that is about to change.
The city’s Parks Department,
Queens Borough
President Melinda Katz and
community leaders joined
members of the People for
the Pavilion, Flushing
Meadows Corona Park Conservancy
and Alliance for
Flushing Meadows Corona
Park to break ground on the
reconstruction of the New
York Pavilion Observation
Towers Friday morning.
“The work we’re breaking
ground on today will go
a long way towards restoring
the iconic New York State
Pavilion to its former glory,”
Katz said.
The Pavilion was designed
by architect Philip
Johnson ad is comprised of
three observation towers,
the largest of which is 226
feet, and the circular struc-
ture that was known as the
Tent of Tomorrow, which
has 16 100-foot pillars that at
one time supported a 50,000-
square-foot roof.
“This work will enable
future generations to continue
to enjoy the Pavilion’s
distinctive Space Age architecture
and be reminded
about the important role the
1964-65 World’s Fair played
in Queens history,” Katz
said. “It has been a privilege
to work with our partners in
government to preserve the
Pavilion.”
The Parks Department released
estimates in 2014 that
it would cost $14 million to
demolish the historic structure
which was in a state of
disrepair. Katz declared that
it should not be demolished
and the $14 million would be
better spent as a base in the
preservation initiative.
The $24 million project
will preserve the structure,
reconstruct stairwells and
add architectural lighting.
Work will include waterproofing
the tower bases, restore
suspension cables, and
add electrical upgrades. The
renovation is funded by a $24
million allocation, with $13.1
million from Katz, $9 million
from Mayor Bill de Blasio and
$1.9 million from Councilman
Francisco Moya.
“The New York State Pavilion
is an iconic symbol
of the 1964 World’s Fair that
keeps us connected to our
city’s rich history,” NYC
Parks Commissioner Mitchell
J. Silver said. “We are excited
to restore this historic
structure for the enjoyment
of New Yorkers and visitors
thanks to funding from Borough
President Katz, Mayor
de Blasio and Council member
Moya, this treasured
landmark will continue to
serve as a symbol of Queens
for generations to come.”
The revitalization project
will not give visitors the
ability to access the observation
towers. There would
need to be further investment
in the integrity of the
structure before it would be
safe for public access.
The project is expected to
be completed by March 2021.
Reach reporter Bill Parry
by e-mail at bparry@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone
at (718) 260–4538.
Vol. 7 No. 46 52 total pages
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