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"Hanging Diapers" And Three Other Complaints About The Javits Center
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 23, 2012
Modified Jan 23, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 23, 2012
Modified Jan 23, 2012
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Last week, we found out that Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to raze the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to make way for a new convention center in Queens, even though $400 million is being spent to renovate the Javits Center. While Empire State Development Corporation spokesman Austin Shafran said of the renovations, "This is essential work. Finishing this work will allow Javits to hold on to the business it has and be an acceptable facility while it still stands," the NY Times has some damning statements about the place.
- Mark Wigley, the dean of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation: "It’s just such an awful building that the only reason to keep it would be as a monument to stupidity."
- Governor Cuomo to the NY Times: "The day it opened it was outdated and already behind schedule."
- ESDC spokesman Shafran further clarified his comments, "This is essential work to fix basic issues such as well-documented roof leaks that have been covered by hanging diapers."
- And even architect Bruce S. Fowle, who is overseeing the renovation, is backhanded in his praise: "It’s not the black hole that it was. The space will feel brighter, more cheerful."
Tagged
convention center
governor cuomo
javits center
monument to stupidity
waste of money
west side
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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