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Parks & Public Spaces
Central Park Conservancy’s Proposed Restoration of Grand Army Plaza
At the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of Community Board Five on Thursday, April 11, 2013, the following resolution passed with a vote of 41 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining:
WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has presented to Community Board Five a detailed informational overview of their proposed restoration of Grand Army Plaza; and
WHEREAS, The site is located on Fifth Avenue between 58th and 60th Streets, and will address the plaza's pavements, site furnishings, and horticulture through a two phase restoration; and
WHEREAS, The first and immediate phase is the replacement of several trees lost during the October 2011 snowstorm and the conservation of the Sherman monument by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, as well as the restoration of the north plaza in a manner consistent with its historic design, and provisions for wheelchair accessibility, with the second phase of restoration of the south plaza to occur separately; and
WHEREAS, This project has the following stated scope of work:
- Upgrade storm drainage and irrigation infrastructure,
- Regrade plaza to be ADA accessible,
- Reset bluestone pavement and replace deteriorated pavers. (The historic paving
- ·pattern will be retained),
- On the north side, plant a row of London plane trees along plaza perimeter and
- ·behind the monument, according to the original planting design,
- Excavate and replace existing soil with structural soil to improve health of the
- ·trees,
- Plant new evergreen shrubs in planting beds and replace wicket fence that
- ·surrounds them,
- Replace deteriorated benches,
- Conserve the Sherman monument, restoring the original finish by regilding with gold leaf and toning the gilt surface to emphasize shadow and highlight; and
WHEREAS, The budget for this project is projected at roughly $4 million, to be funded by the Conservancy; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five supports the proposed reconstruction and restoration work; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of Central Park Conservancy's Proposed Restoration of Grand Army Plaza.