Borough President Katz Calls for Preservation of the New York State Pavilion
Late last week Borough President Melinda Katz visited the New York State Pavilion in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the iconic Queens structure that’s been the topic of discussion recently. The Parks Department is currently looking into working on the site, whether that means outfitting it for a new use, stabilizing it as a ruin, or demolishing…
Late last week Borough President Melinda Katz visited the New York State Pavilion in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the iconic Queens structure that’s been the topic of discussion recently. The Parks Department is currently looking into working on the site, whether that means outfitting it for a new use, stabilizing it as a ruin, or demolishing it. Borough President Katz, however, made it clear she’d like to see the structure remain standing. According to Queens Chronicle, “Katz emphatically declared her wish to see the pavilion saved while on a walking tour of the site.”
Katz also promised to dedicate a task force within the next month to brainstorm ideas for the site. The Parks Department guesses that it will cost $72,000,000 to restore, while demolition would cost around $14,000,000. Assembly Member Marge Markey hopes that restoration work could be completed within the decade.
Borough President Katz Supports Preserving the New York State Pavilion [Queens Chronicle]
Photo via Facebook
The fight to preserve the New York State Pavilion has become even more poignant for some advocates.
Christian Doran, the 28-year-old Maspeth man who helped launch Friends of the Pavilion last year, died late Saturday night after suffering an asthma attack.
Friends are determined to see his vision for the deteriorated World’s Fair relic become reality.
“During the long hours the three of us spent together in diners and coffee shops discussing our ideas, plans and goals, Christian became more than a colleague to us,” said Matthew Silva and Salmaan Khan, who founded the group with Doran. “He became a friend and a brother, someone whose thoughtful approach to our effort always made us feel like success was not just possible, but probable.”
Doran graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School and worked as a sound engineer at Queens Theater in the Park. He was also a musician who volunteered to work with disabled children at Mid Hudson Valley Camp.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz issued a statement saying she was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Doran’s death. She met him Thursday during a walking tour of the pavilion. “I will work diligently to fulfill Mr. Doran’s wish that the Pavilion never be torn down,” she said.
During several interviews with the News last year, Doran spoke of his admiration for the structure designed by master architect Philip Johnson. “It looks amazing from the outside but, once you are inside, it’s even more incredible,” Doran told the News. “There’s nothing else like it.”
A funeral mass is scheduled for Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church in Bellerose.
In lieu of flowers, Doran’s family said donations can be made to the Mid Hudson Valley Camp, c/o Br.Owen Ormsby, P.O. Box 197, Esopus N.Y. 12429.
(FROM THE NY DAILY NEWS)
Interesting side note… the Belgian Waffle was introduced to the U.S. at the 1964 World’s Fair, so it’s the 50th anniversary. An article… http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/happy-50th-ann-sweet-belgian-treat-article-1.1609101
Found the clip… from 1972… with (pre-Charlie’s Angels Jaclyn Smith!!!). The pavillion was only eight years old at this point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl-rtN_fCHg
Sweet video Sam, thanks for posting!! –Q’Stoner
I think the last time the towers were used for anything is when they were used in an episode of McCloud in the seventies. I don’t remember the specifics, but Marshall Sam McCloud had to apprehend some bad guy in one of the towers.
I agree with Joe’s statements above. Why waste money on useless relics? Then again, I didn’t vote for her.
I love how these angry types like Joe always call the voters “idiots” when they post their rants. I guess Joe doesn’t realize that insulting people by calling them names is not a good way to support your point of view. In fact, the minute someone starts name-calling, they’ve already lost any argument they are trying to make. Maybe some day Joe will realize this.