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Here are some riveting ideas for a re-imagined New York State Pavilion in Queens

More than 250 people have submitted plans for a radically re-imagined New York State Pavilion, and you can now vote for your favorite proposals.

In March, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, People for the Pavilion and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz announced the International Ideas Competition, a contest to encourage people to come up with a new use for the pavilion, which was built for the 1964 World’s Fair.

The submissions poured in from all over the world, and people will have until July 15 to vote for their favorite proposal. On July 18, the submission with the most votes will be crowned the “Fan Favorite” and win $500.  The  first-, second- and third-place winners, who will receive $3,000, $1,000 and $500 respectively, will be chosen by a panel of judges and be announced on Aug. 3.

All winners will showcase their proposals in a Queens Museum exhibit running from Aug. 6 through Aug. 28.

In July 2014, $5.8 million from the city budget was allocated to restoring the observation towers but a full renovation of the Pavilion, which includes the Observation Towers and the Tent of Tomorrow, start at $43 million.

An option to knock it down would cost about $14 million, according to the Parks Department but Queens Borough President Melinda Katz has spoken against that option.

Some of the best proposals include the following:

Highline Walk to the Top of the Pavilion

Photo courtesy of U A Stern
Photo courtesy of U A Stern

This proposal includes a 4,000-foot-long, wheelchair-accessible walk to the existing observation deck with black-and-white pictures about the history of New York state installed along the route. Gardens and rest stations would be located every 400 feet. The existing three observations decks would be reinforced and used as sky gardens with unisex restrooms and drinking fountain stations.

 

Hanging Meadows 

Photo courtesy of Aidan Doyle and Sarah Wan
Photo courtesy of Aidan Doyle and Sarah Wan

This proposal by Aidan Doyle and Sarah Wan would re-purpose the original structure to create a suspended natural environment. The new structure would “collect, organize and exhibit flora native to particular parts of the Northeastern United States,” according to the proposal.

 

Queens Brew

Photo courtesy of Sophie, Leonie, Kateri
Photo courtesy of Sophie, Leonie, Kateri

This proposal would satisfy Queens beer lovers as the structure would accommodate urban farming to grow hops for “refreshing beers.”

 

Global Theater and Mobile Pavilion 

Photo courtesy of James McIntyre and Andrew McIntyre
Photo courtesy of James McIntyre and Andrew McIntyre

James and Andrew McIntyre’s proposal would transform the pavilion into a global theater hosting curated art events in collaboration with the Queens Museum. Concerts, lecture series and community events would be held in the new space, and the standing towers would pay homage to Andy Warhol with new skins wrapped around the exterior annually. The towers, dubbed Warhols, would be transformed into cafés.

 

New York State Pavilion of Fun

Photo courtesy of Lau Jeh Farn
Photo courtesy of Lau Jeh Farn

Rapid global urbanization is the inspiration behind this proposal. Lau Jeh Farn proposes that the pavilion become a place where stressed New Yorkers can go to for fitness and social connection. An urban campsite, zip line, and spaces for wall climbing and bungee jumping would be some of the features included in the Pavilion of Fun.

Check out all of the proposals and vote your favorite one by July 15 here.