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Landmarks
New York Public Library, Stephen Schwarzman Building - Application for alterations to the fountain basins for the main branch of the NYPL at West 42nd Street and 5th Avenue
WHEREAS, The Stephen Schwarzman building of the New York Public Library is located at Fifth Avenue and West 42nd Street, was designed by Carrere and Hastings, and built from 1898 to 1911; and
WHEREAS, The applicant has applied for a Certificate of appropriateness for Alterations to the existing two (2) Fountain basins facing Fifth Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The Alteration is to provide an amenity to the existing "Truth" and "Beauty" Statues and Fountain located North and South of the grand stair, behind the lion statues, by adding a four (4) illuminated arches of water & lighting to both each; and
WHEREAS, The arching jets will be approximately 3'-6" high from top of stone coping providing a acoustic water sound from a bronze nozzle; and
WHEREAS, The fountain basins will also be equipped with four (4) recessed bronze warm LED up-lighting fixtures below each arching water jet; and two (2) warm LED Flood lights added to the existing, previously LPC approved, two (2) light poles located on the 5th Avenue plaza; and
WHEREAS, The proposed Gaco clear waterproofing liner being applied to the stone surface of the basins had not been mock-up and tested and Community Board Five encourages the applicant to work with a materials conservator for compatibility and reversibility over the original historic stone; and
WHEREAS, Similar fountains have been successfully installed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the alteration to the fountain basin will add visual interest and evening enhancement while maintaining the aesthetic harmony with the existing architectural elements; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the alteration to the fountain basins at the Stephen Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library at West 42nd Street and 5th Avenue