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Old Posted Dec 31, 2006, 8:09 AM
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Newsday

NYC history museum's expansion plan meets opposition

December 30, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) _ A history museum is looking to its future, and the plans are making some neighbors nervous.

The New-York Historical Society is proposing a $20 million renovation of its landmark museum and library on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The plan calls for a fifth story on the society's roof and a glass apartment tower behind it to help pay for the project.

The society got proposals from eight developers this month, and it has raised the potential expansion with the city Landmarks Preservation Commission. Changes to the building's exterior require the commission's approval.


"We do have a need to grow," said society President Louise Mirrer. She said the expansion would allow space to reorganize galleries and collections and would help the 202-year-old institution stay afloat financially.

But the plan is meeting opposition from neighbors, preservationists and at least one city council member. They say the glass tower wouldn't fit its venerable surroundings on Central Park West.

"For historic reasons, a glass tower is wrong," said Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who represents the area. Mirrer said the glass tower was only "a place-holder." She added that the society would have a say in choosing the architect.


Some local residents also see the society's plan as a mark of an uninvited transformation.

"Our membership is concerned about the changing character of the West Side. People feel they are being steamrollered," said Joseph Bolanos, president of the West 76th Street Park Block Association. He said it had 100 members.

The city and state may be able to impose restrictions because they contributed more than $25 million to previous improvements.

"If it is not a necessary change, and it vitiates a taxpayer investment, we're not going to do it," said city Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin.

Mirrer pledged that the society would be "absolutely scrupulous" about keeping its commitments to the city.

The historical society maintains a collection of more than 60,000 objects and artworks, as well as 3 million books, photographs, prints and maps. Highlights include John James Audubon's watercolors for "Birds of America," according to the society's Web site.

Community opposition has stalled previous expansion plans, but not all neighbors are against the latest proposal. David Berkowitz, who owns a townhouse next to the vacant lot on West 76th Street where the tower would go, said it might make the street safer.


New-York Historical Society: https://www.nyhistory.org/
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