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Landmarks
Bryant Park ADA Improvements Project
WHEREAS, The Bryant Park Corporation ("Applicant") is proposing to widen an ADA entrance ("Entrance") and ADA passageway ("Passageway") and to add a seating area ("Seating Area") on the West 42nd Street side of Bryant Park.
WHEREAS, Bryant Park was designed in the French classical tradition by Lusby Simpson in 1933 and is named in honor of William Cullen Bryant who was a renowned poet, editor and orator; and
WHEREAS, Bryant Park was designated a New York City Scenic Landmark in November 1974; and
WHEREAS, The Entrance and Passageway are often congested due to heavy pedestrian traffic and a long line of people waiting to use restrooms adjacent to the Entrance and Passageway; and
WHEREAS, The line for the restrooms reduces the width of the Entrance and Passageway from six feet to about three feet; and
WHEREAS, People find it difficult to make their way into the Entrance and Passageway - and particularly people in wheelchairs and with strollers - due to the congestion resulting from the heavy pedestrian traffic and long line for the restrooms; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes widening the Entrance and Passageway from six feet to twelve feet in order to reduce congestion and to improve ADA and general public access; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant's proposal is not related to any ADA legal action; WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes to place the Seating Area along the Passageway in part to alleviate congestion and to enhance ADA and general public access; and
WHEREAS, seating will be made up of moveable tables and chairs, in the tradition of Bryant Park furniture; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes designs and fabrics for the Entrance, Passageway and Seating Area that are appropriate and contextual for Bryant Park (stone perimeter wall: Kitledge granite; Bluestone paving; Stone pier: Milford pink granite; 2 aluminum bollards inspired by the existing torchers); therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of an application from Bryant Park Corporation to widen an ADA entrance and ADA passageway and to add a seating area on the West 42nd Street side of Bryant Park.