The Winter of the World's Fair's Discontent

Photo via Frank Lynch's flickr.

Last we checked in on the World's Fair site, the 130' x 166' terrazzo replica of a Texaco New York State road map, created in the mid-60s by architect Philip Johnson, was in "advanced disrepair." So much so that the Queens Museum of Art revisited the map in its original glory, as well as the present-day plans to protect it (the Parks Department and UPenn's Historic Preservation program had been working to restore some of the map).

Now the Daily News (via Queens News) reports that the city chose not to protect the map from the winter elements, and "preservationists fear frost will dislodge or fracture panels on the map." Allegedly conservators handed the city a fairly simple plan to protect the relic, but they never went through with it, stopping about $20,000 short of purchasing all the materials needed.

Surprisingly, cutbacks aren't even noted as being an issue. "John Krawchuk, historic preservation director for the Parks Department, admitted the city has the cash but decided to direct it elsewhere." Upon an upcoming review of the stability of the Tent of Tomorrow rotunda that surrounds the map, Krawchuk added: “Demolition is always a possibility."

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By Jen Carlson in News on February 10, 2009 3:26 PM

Comments [rss]

ides_of_march

It's an eyesore, that's why it's been neglected for so long. A map of NY state on the ground, whoop dee doo.

robingee

Oh, some dumb old paintings from the 16th century. Whoop dee doozle. Crappy old mummies from a tomb - big whacka doo. Old stuff sucks.

Spirit of 76

You're entitled to your opinion. Others happen to think otherwise. If we started tearing things down just because somebody thought it was tacky, most of the city would be gone.

I don't understand how Krawchuk can be a historic preservation director. Nothing he says seems to indicate any interest in preservation, which actually makes sense since he doesn't look old enough to understand the importance of history. I'm guessing he's nothing more than a bureaucrat who got his position because they had nowhere else to put him.

Trilby16

It is a completely useless structure. It was never beautiful. I went to that fair as a young girl and even then I could see it was all pretty tacky.

That land doesn't have to be condos. It could be a park! But why pour money we don't have into this waste of space???

Gothampc

Can't a private organization be formed to deal with this? Something like the Central Park Conservancy where they have fundraisers to support the work?

DanielJ

Yeah restoration needs to be a part of a bigger plan, one which will actually get people to the site. Hopefully it'll all become a part of the Taxpayer Field site.

Papercutninja

It is sad, but what is it currently used for? It doesn't make sense to restore it if it's just going to sit there unused...

Wza

That sucks.

rcltrh

Maybe they could doze it all and build some more...say....Luxury condos for $1000/psf?

bsalamon

Maybe they want to let it fall apart so that they can turn it into part of a bigger complex centered around Shea Stadium 2: Electric Boogaloo

NannyState

Sad to say but it's over with. Not that it's too late to save these structures but the money and the will have been absent for what? 40 years?