For over two years, the Port Authority has been seeking approvals to demolish portions of Eero Saarinen’s TWA Terminal at JFK International Airport – an icon of Modernism and the jet-age – and wrap the landmark with an intrusive, semi-circular new terminal building. Continue Reading>>

Two years after it unveiled its redevelopment plan for the TWA Terminal at JFK International Airport – and sustained considerable, broad based criticism – the Port Authority has not changed its plan or its position that the structure is outmoded as an airline terminal. It maintains that the airport’s expansion program can only be satisfied by wrapping a hulking semi-circular new terminal around the landmark. The Society disagrees. While the TWA building may not be appropriate for a large airline, we’re not satisfied with the PA’s investigation of alternatives that would preserve the integrity of the structure and its original function. And, in fact, the PA is required to prove there is no “feasible and prudent” alternative before the Federal Aviation Administration can offer final approval to let the project move forward. Continue Reading>>

Manhattan
Washington Square Park
Abingdon Square at Eighth Avenue and Hudson Street
Union Square Park
Empire State Building (Observation Deck)
Washington Market Park in Tribeca (bounded by Greenwich, Chambers and West Streets)
Roosevelt Island
Waterfront Promenade Continue Reading>>

The Imagine New York transportation workshop held on May 14 at Pace University attracted over 100 participants to discuss the transportation proposals currently being discussed for Lower Manhattan. Topics included the two proposed transit hubs, airport access, street management, and the controversial bus depot that appears in the current plans for the World Trade Center site. Continue Reading>>

Comments from over 6,000 website respondents about the nine new plans for the World Trade Center site, along with 300 people’s discussions at public workshops, have been analyzed and summarized in the final report of Imagine New York II: The People’s Response. Imagine New York II, a project of the Municipal Art Society, is the second phase of Imagine New York, a year-old campaign to give voice to the people’s visions for rebuilding the World Trade Center site and beyond. The report was delivered to decision-makers in March 2003.

The Society has been involved in efforts to establish reasonable controls on billboards and other signage in New York City since the turn of the century. Despite the fact that the City has had signage regulations on the books for years, it has been fighting a losing battle with the outdoor advertising industry. Gargantuan, brightly lit signs have continued to proliferate throughout the city, defacing our streets and sidewalks — particularly noticeably in architecturally significant neighborhoods such as SoHo — and impeding views and creating traffic hazards on arterial highways. Continue Reading>>

Opened in 1948 in an area rich with tidal wetlands, Fresh Kills Landfill was the world’s largest landfill. Until now. The City of New York has fulfilled its promise to close Fresh Kills Landfill for good.

Located along the western boundary of Staten Island, Fresh Kills encompasses more than 2000 acres, which is more than 2½ times larger than Central Park. In its years of operation, the landfill’s four mounds have grown to heights ranging from about 90 to 225 feet above sea level. Despite this, Fresh Kills Landfill retains within its boundaries intact wetlands and significant wildlife habitats. Many New Yorkers would be surprised to discover areas of tremendous natural beauty throughout Fresh Kills. Continue Reading>>

The Imagine New York staff has reviewed the public’s comments on the World Trade Center memorial designs, gathered from public workshops in New Canaan, CT; Elizabeth, NJ; and Pace University and September Space in New York City. In addition, the project’s Web site, http://www.imaginenewyork.org/, has been accepting public feedback on the designs, and has gathered over 12,000 comments in the past two weeks. The summary report of results from the workshops and Web site will be released this week. Stay tuned.

On November 19, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation announced eight finalists for the memorial at the World Trade Center site. The Municipal Art Society’s Imagine New York project held a series of public workshops in lower Manhattan to allow the public to give feedback on the new designs. The workshops featured a visit to the exhibit of the final designs at the Winter Garden, followed by a two-hour workshop discussion. If you couldn’t make it to the workshops, you can still view the designs on the Imagine New York website and submit your comments. All of the findings from the workshops and the website will be compiled into a summary report and submitted to decision makers. Whether in person or online, Imagine New York is a great way to weigh in on this important topic.