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C. McKim (not verified) says:
The Dolans, yes, but also the absurdity of the Preservationist position in this case. The inner courtyard wall that seems to be at the heart of the problem is the west wall of a former light-well (i.e., courtyard) that has absolutely no architectural or historical value. There's a reason why the MAS and other "concerned" groups of preservationists have not shown existing condition photos of the courtyard in question: there's no "there" there. The sole purpose for the courtyard was to bring light into the warren of interior offices. McKim, Meade, and White knew not to spend money and effort where it didn't matter, and this space is an example of that approach. The new project will, at the very least, bring a new life to a dead spot....
If we miss this opportunity to create a great civic space where now there is none, to glorify the entry to our city with a train station that is worthy of its place, and prove the value of governmental process at the service of the public, then we should acknowledge that the intransigence of the current iteration of the preservation movement has sucked the life out of the great dynakic entity that is New York City. We might as well stop everything where it is, put a big theme-park sign over the skyline, and charge admission. We'll have ourselves a city-sized diorama (like those at the Museum of natural History) of New York, circa 2008.
The Dolans, yes, but also the absurdity of the Preservationist position in this case. The inner courtyard wall that seems to be at the heart of the problem is the west wall of a former light-well (i.e., courtyard) that has absolutely no architectural or historical value. There's a reason why the MAS and other "concerned" groups of preservationists have not shown existing condition photos of the courtyard in question: there's no "there" there. The sole purpose for the courtyard was to bring light into the warren of interior offices. McKim, Meade, and White knew not to spend money and effort where it didn't matter, and this space is an example of that approach. The new project will, at the very least, bring a new life to a dead spot....
If we miss this opportunity to create a great civic space where now there is none, to glorify the entry to our city with a train station that is worthy of its place, and prove the value of governmental process at the service of the public, then we should acknowledge that the intransigence of the current iteration of the preservation movement has sucked the life out of the great dynakic entity that is New York City. We might as well stop everything where it is, put a big theme-park sign over the skyline, and charge admission. We'll have ourselves a city-sized diorama (like those at the Museum of natural History) of New York, circa 2008.