By Lincoln Anderson
Mayor Bloomberg, city officials and a group of first-graders from Greenwich Village’s P.S. 41 cut the ribbon on a gleaming white restored Washington Sq. Arch last Friday morning.
The event celebrated the completion of a $2.7 million conservation of the 109-year-old monument, recognized internationally as the symbol of Greenwich Village and the city itself.
In addition, the mayor noted he has allocated $1 million in his budget for the planned renovation of Washington Sq. Park.
Council Speaker Gifford Miller said the Council will allocate $1 million to the park project too.
In a surprise announcement, John Sexton, New York University’s president, said the university also is pledging $1 million towards the park’s renovation.
Councilmembers Alan Gerson, who attended the event, and Margarita Lopez previously committed $600,000 and $500,000, respectively, to the park’s renovation.
Gerson later told The Villager that the $1 million Miller pledged in fact is what Gerson recently allocated from his own capital discretionary budget. So, by Gerson’s count, including his and Lopez’s prior allocations, the amount pledged for the park now stands at $4 million. Gerson said he expects there will be more support for the park in the Council from other members of the Manhattan delegation.
N.Y.U. has also pledged $300,000 towards a $600,000 endowment fund being raised by the city for the continued maintenance of the arch.
“The restoration of the Washington Sq. Arch represents the culmination of more than a decade of effort by the city, New York University and concerned citizens to reverse the effects of decades of neglect,” the mayor said. “For more than 100 years, the arch has stood as a defining symbol of New York City, and has now been restored to its original grandeur. With recent improvements to the park and over $2 million in city funds committed to further improvements, Washington Sq. Park itself is experiencing a rebirth from what it was 10 years ago. Today’s rededication affirms New York City’s commitment to the renewal of Washington Sq. Park to a beautiful and safe public space for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”
On the park’s safety, the mayor added, “It had too often become a haven for drug dealers. The N.Y.P.D. has sent the message to drug dealers that they are not welcome.”
Said Sexton of the arch renovation, “This is a glorious example of what can happen when an entire community mobilizes behind a project.”
On the $1 million the university is allocating to the park’s refurbishing, Sexton said, “I believe it is appropriate that as citizens of this community, we step forward with the first major gift, helping to restore a park that gives so much sustenance to the people of N.Y.U.”
The estimated cost for the park’s renovation, to be done in two phases, is $6 million to $8 million.
Said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, regarding the new funding promised for the park, “One million dollars, plus $1 million, plus $1 million — that’s a pretty good start. And we pledge to raise the rest.”
Other elected officials at the event included Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields; and Jim Smith, chairperson of Community Board 2. Samuel G. White, great-grandson of the arch’s architect, Stanford White, also attended.
Fields, who allocated funds for the arch’s renovation, gave credit to former Councilmember Kathryn Freed and former Council Speaker Peter Vallone for doing the same.
“Both led the way in helping to make this day possible,” she said.
Gerson, a Village native, grew up playing in the park, where, he noted, he attended his first political rally. “This arch has come to symbolize the world over the expansion of freedom that was unimaginable in the days of Washington,” he said. What makes the park so special is its diverse mix of users, Gerson added: “The kids, seniors sitting on benches, players on the bocce court, chess players, college students hanging out and strumming guitars —all phases of life.”
Gerson said he and Lopez will try to double, if possible, the amount of their allocation for the park’s renovation.
Benepe noted there was one person who did so much for the park over the years who wasn’t present, Tony Dapolito, former 12-time chairperson of Board 2. Dapolito died last year.
“He fought to keep this park from becoming a speedway,” Benepe said, recalling the battle against Robert Moses’s plan for a highway through the park. “We’ll be doing more for him,” Benepe said, perhaps hinting at renaming a local parks facility — Carmine Recreation Center has been mentioned — for Dapolito.
C.B. 2 Chairperson Smith gave credit to Bob O’Sullivan, of Friends of Washington Sq., who had the idea eight years ago to do something for the park; it was Benepe who had told O’Sullivan and fellow park activists to focus on the arch’s renovation. Smith also praised N.Y.U. Senior Vice President Lynne Brown and Michael Haberman, university director of government and community affairs, for the important roles they played in the arch project.
The restoration of the arch addressed deterioration from environmental weathering, pollutants, water seepage, roosting birds and vandalism. In addition to repairs of both statues of Washington — as president and as commander-in-chief — the restoration included securing loose pieces, recarving select sculptural and decorative features, micro-abrasive cleaning and chemical stone consolidation of marble masonry and ornaments, mortar repointing, replacement of the roof, repairs to the interior walls and stairway and installation of a bird-proofing system. Finally, extensive architectural lighting has been added.
Benepe pointed out one prominent repair, the right hand of the President Washington statue, which is a replacement. “So that is the Bionic Man up there,” he noted.
The marble arch was dedicated in 1895 as an expression of the City Beautiful movement, which sought to create structures and public spaces in America whose beauty and stature would rival those of the European capitals. It was preceded in 1889 by a temporary triumphal arch of wood and papier mache, also designed by Stanford White, honoring the centennial of Washington’s inauguration. The temporary arch was so well received plans were immediately made to erect a permanent structure, and funds were quickly raised by private subscription.
