By Peter Sorkin
The City Council Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises at a hearing Monday chaired by Councilman Walter McCaffrey (D-Woodside) unanimously approved a resolution to allow MoMA to proceed with its major expansion plans that include use of PS 1 in Long Island City and the former Swingline Staples building.
The subcommittee ensured that MoMA will provide one dollar for every three dollars that the City Council allocates in capital funding to PS 1 Contemporary Arts Center, MoMA's affiliate museum at 46-01 21st St.
McCaffrey said he was happy to endorse the plan because it would continue to bring new art to Queens residents and foster creative ideas in the borough.
“I was pleased to vote for this measure because it recognizes the importance of maintaining cultural institutions in Queens,” McCaffrey said.
MoMA will also use the old Swingline Staples building at 45-20 33rd St. in Long Island City as exhibition space while it renovates its midtown Manhattan facility, a move that pleased Councilman Sheldon Leffler (D-Hollis), a subcommittee member.
MoMA bought the Swingline building in August 1999. The new building will be ready by late 2002 and will be used for archives, offices, storage and workshop space once the midtown renovation is completed.
City Council Speaker Peter Vallone (D-Astoria) said the resolution assures residents the Council is dedicated to providing creative outlets for Queens.
“This is a prime example of the Council's commitment to funding the arts in Queens and every other borough in the city,” Vallone said.
Other concessions made by MoMA administrators include scaling down the new 54th Street entrance in Manhattan by removing a marquee sign from the proposal, appointing a community liaison to handle complaints from local residents and monitoring delivery traffic at the museum.
Jake Lynn, a city council spokesman, said the plans for the museum can only benefit the borough.
“It's a good thing for Queens because it's one of the most premier cultural institutions in the country,” he said. “It provides so much to the kids of the city, seniors, tourism.”
McCaffrey said “MoMA is one of the premier visual art centers in the world.
He added, “I am satisfied that the expansion effort will improve its ability to provide New York with the finest center of exhibits under one roof.”
