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Landmarks
Reconstruction of the Concession and an Addition of a Pergola Structure at Mineral Springs in Central Park.
At the regularly scheduled monthly Community Board Five meeting on Thursday, October 12, 2023, the following resolution passed with a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstaining:
WHEREAS, The NYC Parks Department (“Applicant”) is proposing the reconstruction of the concession and an addition of a pergola structure at Mineral Springs in Central Park; and
WHEREAS, The snack bar café is located near 69th Street and West Drive, adjacent to Sheep Meadow; and
WHEREAS, The original pavilion was built in 1867 in a Moorish style, with the current structure having been built around 1960 to replace the original pavilion which was demolished the same year; and
WHEREAS, The current structure has housed food concessions, and since 2010, has housed Le Pain Quotidien (“LPQ”); and
WHEREAS, LPQ was awarded a renewal of its concession license in 2022 with a 15 year lease; and
WHEREAS, Under the terms of the concession agreement with New York City, LPQ was required to make capital improvements to the existing site, including the recently completed public restrooms as well as the restoration of the existing slate roof and cupola; and
WHEREAS, LPQ is now seeking to reconstruct the outdoor seating area including the building of a pergola structure at the site; and
WHEREAS, The proposed structure will not expand the current footprint of the concession area and will add additional greenspace inside the structure; and
WHEREAS, The proposed structure will be partly tented which will allow for waiter service as well as a storage area to help with the operation of the facility; and
WHEREAS, The proposed structure will be an open frame, with the front having a retractable plastic panel that will allow for a completely open surface during the warmer months, with sides having fixed solid glass panels, and a back wall an existing high fence and low masonry wall that will remain; and
WHEREAS, The roof will be five rectangular pergola units that are louvers that are operable so that during the warmer months, the entire roof can be opened up and during the colder months, the roof can be closed; and
WHEREAS, There is no fabric from the original structure, as the original building was demolished around 1960; and
WHEREAS, The construction will be fully ADA compliant; and
WHEREAS, LPQ is fully funding this project and has committed to spend approximately $1.7 million; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant will be presenting this application to the NYC Landmarks Commission given its location in Central Park; and
WHEREAS, The New York City Parks Department supports this reconstruction of the concession as well as the addition of the pergola structure; and
WHEREAS, The proposed plan includes significant structural improvements to patron seating, building exterior and the canopy; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five supports the application for the reconstruction of the concession and an addition of a pergola structure at Mineral Springs in Central Park.