The plaza out front the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building at 125th Street is probably one of the less inviting public spaces uptown but changes appear to be at hand based on a photo submitted by a reader today. This morning, the bleak expanse of concrete within the plaza now appears to be getting much needed seating installed in a winding, curvilinear fashion. This area located just east of ACP/7th Avenue is formerly called African Square and the new design will reflect the layout of a traditional African village based on the information found on the Harlem Community Development Corporation site:
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I read the redo of this plaza cost $21m, it hardly looks different from the old plaza.
ReplyDelete$21m? That is plain offensive. I passed by the other day and honestly hardly noticed a difference. Where was the $21m spent? If it is anything like the Frederick Douglass statue which had a team of 4-6 guys 'working' on it all day every day for the entire summer to just get the waterfall to work, I'm not surprised the money was eaten up so quickly for this place. Where is the accountability? I'm crucified at work if I don't account for every minute of the day!
ReplyDeleteBlack and stainless steel with a huge expanse of concrete and no trees or shade of any kind. I can't wait for next summer.
ReplyDeleteI can only assume it is yet to be completed. Looking at the planning and design study there are references to the public area at the Lincoln Center, which has the reflecting pool, grass bank area, waterfall, all of which are stunning. This is woeful in comparison.
ReplyDeleteLooks terrible, cold, and uninviting...
ReplyDeleteYup, CJS—those stainless benches are going to be quite toasty come August.
ReplyDeleteThe perfect complement to the statue of ACP, it of the North Korean Heroic school of statuary
I agree.
ReplyDeleteIt can not be finished yet... and it will need some green around there soon ! Let's hope these plans can be adjusted. This place is desperately in need of re-designing.. I think some sort of water fall would be excellent !
If it is so awful, why on earth would it get approved? Anybody got the patience to read through all of the plans to see what else to expect? Then again, maybe the 21 mill has already been burned putting in a few benches.
ReplyDeleteThat $21m could have saved the now lost architectural gem, the corn exchange.
ReplyDeleteThis is where Bill Perkins has his office. And other politicians.
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