As I was coming out the door this morning, I finally met one of my neighbors who I've wanted to know for 20 years. Her name is Isabel and she's lived a couple buildings down Lafayette since 1979 - I've seen her forever and she's always looking very stylish in her all black outfits. She told me so much about the block and area, I'm looking forward to talking to her more. I had always imagined she was an artist or a fashion editor from the 60's but she wouldn't tell me exactly what she did - which only added to her mystique and attractiveness. She handed me a flyer about the neighborhood meeting tonight regarding the Public Theater's plan to make some enormous changes to their landmark structure. Among other things, they want to build out a grand staircase from the entrance in order to "create more of a gathering spot/plaza feel in front of the theater." Hey, Public...I'm a big fan of making a grand entrance and exit, but people already hang out and clog up the sidewalk as it is, can you please re-think this? The worst part is they're going to build out into the street where the loading/unloading lane is making the idling tour buses, taxis and limousines there an even bigger joy to deal with as you try to get just a little breath of air. This stretch of Lafayette is already experiencing bottlenecking from the current Public traffic and the crowds waiting to get into Blue Man Group directly across the street. The entire area from Astor Place to 4th Street looks like the Mall of America on weekends with tourists milling about with their Big Gulps and hot dogs. What is the Public thinking? How is the neighborhood going to absorb the impact of this? I don't know but I'm finding out tonight at the meeting:
New York Public Theater Renovation Neighborhood Meeting
Tuesday, March 10 - 6:30 PM
NYU Silver Building
32 Waverly Place - Room 809
For more information, go to NoHo Manhattan.
If you can't attend this meeting, contact the Community Board at 3 Washington Square Village. NYC 10012 - Ph. 212 979-2272 - cb2@manhattan.org
New York Public Theater Renovation Neighborhood Meeting
Tuesday, March 10 - 6:30 PM
NYU Silver Building
32 Waverly Place - Room 809
For more information, go to NoHo Manhattan.
If you can't attend this meeting, contact the Community Board at 3 Washington Square Village. NYC 10012 - Ph. 212 979-2272 - cb2@manhattan.org
3 comments:
Judging by some old photos, there originally was a grand staircase at the entrance of the Astor Library. So even though this proposed one doesn't look quite as grand (nary a balustrade in sight!), it's actually a return to history.
Dan, I think you're correct from what I've been told about the stairs. Although, in this instance, I believe keeping the current configuration will prevent Lafayette from becoming too crowded. Even the Colonnade once had narrow gardens in front as part of the original design, but since Lafayette became it thoroughfare, it just didn't make sense. Frankly, I don't have much faith that a protest will change anything about the Public's plans, but we're making our voices heard.
"Big Gulps" - Kirby, you're a bad little bulldog dissing these tourists the way you always do. It's hysterical!
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