November 17, 2019 Your Neighborhood — Your News®
LOCAL
CL ASSIFIEDS
PAGE 11
Pavilion preservation project breaks ground
$24 million reconstruction plan to restore observation towers to ‘former glory’ begins
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 structure that was
known as the Tent of Tomorrow,
which has 16 100-foot pillars that at
one time supported a 50,000-squarefoot
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
TYING THE KNOT
College Point resident Helen Ramierez Espinal and Sgt. Joseph Cedeno seal their vows with a kiss before thousands at the Veterans Day Parade.
Photo by Todd Maisel
$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 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.
Vol. 8 No. 46
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