Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza Explained

Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza
Type:Urban park
Location:Turtle Bay, Manhattan, New York, US
Mapframe-Zoom:13
Area:[1]
Created:1948[2]
Operator:New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza is a 1.59acres public park in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, United States. Located on the south side of East 47th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, the park was established during the late 1940s and early 1950s, when 47th Street was widened to create a landscaped approach to the headquarters of the United Nations. It was renamed after Dag Hammarskjöld, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, after his death in 1961. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation announced plans in the early 1990s to expand the plaza, which was completed in 1999.

The plaza is a frequent site of protests and demonstrations given its location near the United Nations headquarters.

History

Establishment of park

Plans for the new park were originally conceived in 1947 as part of a new landscaped approach to the headquarters of the United Nations, which then was being developed on the east side of First Avenue between East 42nd and 48th streets in Turtle Bay, Manhattan. The city proposed widening and reconstructing several streets in the vicinity of the United Nations to accommodate the new complex, one of which was the segment of East 47th Street from First to Second avenues. Specifically, the city's plans called to widen this street from 60to to create a two-way thoroughfare.[3] The road was to consist of two 30adj=midNaNadj=mid roadways separated by a 12adj=midNaNadj=mid median, with a landscaped park running along the remainder of the south side of the street.[4] [5] This project was to cost about $1 million.[6] The widened section of 47th Street was intended to serve the northern part of the United Nations headquarters, complementing the widening of 42nd Street to the south.

The project required condemnation of all of the buildings along the south side of East 47th Street, including St. Boniface Church, the church's rectory and parochial school, and a furniture maker. Over 2,000 people signed a petition sent to the Board of Estimate to block the proposed demolition of St. Boniface Church and asked the city to select another street to serve as the approach to the United Nations.[7] Other groups felt that the city's proposal was inadequate.[8] William Zeckendorf submitted a plan to redevelop six blocks from First to Third avenues with a 320feet wide east-west concourse leading to the north end of the United Nations site.[9] The New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) proposed a 150feet wide east-west approach running through a nine-block redevelopment area bounded by First Avenue, 45th Street, Lexington Avenue, and 48th Street.[10] [11] [12] The AIA claimed their plan would require the demolition of only two large buildings, one of which was a ten-story YMCA branch at 224 East 47th Street.[13]

The city decided to proceed with its original plan in August 1947, believing that the other proposals for "monumental" approaches were not justified given the city's financial condition and the legal obstacles that they would face.[14] [15] A New York Supreme Court justice determined in January 1948 that the properties, which the city was to acquire for the widening of 47th Street, were worth $1.435 million.[16] The Board of Estimate authorized $3 million for the acquisition of property in August 1948.[17] [18] The city revised its plans for the widening of 42nd and 47th streets near the UN headquarters in March 1950, raising the total cost of the two projects by $3 million.[19] During the construction of the UN headquarters, the planned Secretariat Building was shifted closer to 42nd Street. As a result, the enlarged portion of 47th Street failed to serve as a proper approach to the UN headquarters once the complex was completed, as the street ended at a park north of the General Assembly Building. In the book New York 1960, architect Robert A. M. Stern and his co-authors characterized the widened street as "in many ways an empty gesture".

Renaming and use

After Dag Hammarskjöld, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, was killed in a plane crash while traveling on a peacekeeping mission to the Congo, the New York City Council approved legislation to rename the park on 47th Street in his honor.[2] [20] Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza was formally renamed on November 11, 1961.[21] New York City and UN officials announced plans in April 1964 to redesign the plaza by adding a wall with quotations from the late Secretary-General.[22] The plans also included a memorial footbridge over First Avenue, designed by Daniel Chait, which would connect the plaza with the UN headquarters.[23] The city government provided $255,375 in December 1965 for the footbridge, which was never completed.[24] Another unrealized plan, in 1968, called for Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza to be redesigned into an actual park.[25] At the time, The Washington Post, Times Herald described the park as "a rather sorry affair which has only a row of young trees to justify its name".

In 1970, the western portion of the park was leased for 125 years to developer Harry Macklowe for incorporation into the plaza and arcade for the new office building at 866 Second Avenue, also known as 2 Hammarskjold Plaza. As part of the agreement, the developer built a sculpture garden and was responsible for its maintenance.[26] In exchange, Macklowe was permitted to add to his building. After advocacy from local civic groups, the western part of the plaza was redesigned in 1985.[27]

Throughout its history, Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza has been the site of numerous political protests and demonstrations given its location near the United Nations. The New York Times wrote in 1991 that Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, along with the smaller Ralph Bunche Park at 43rd Street and First Avenue, were "the city's speakers' corners. The soapboxes to the world."[28] At the time, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) was issuing more permits for protests at the two parks than at any other part of the city; in 1990 alone, NYC Parks issued 236 permits for protests at these parks. The plaza has also served as a focal point for major marches, including the end point of marches supporting the Soviet Jewry movement in the 1970s and 1980s[29] [30] and the starting point of the 2017 Women's March in New York City.[31]

Renovations

In the early 1990s, NYC Parks made plans for a $2.5 million expansion and renovation of the park, which would include removing the elevated sculpture garden at the west end of the park and the eastbound roadway on East 47th Street. These plans were met by opposition from some of the local residents, who said the plaza had become overrun by homeless in the prior decade and did not want homeless encampments to grow larger. Homeless persons had congregated in the sculpture garden at the park's western end, which was no longer displaying sculptures and was seen as a security risk by local residents.[32] In 1993, Friends of Hammarskjold Park was formed as a community organization to address concerns that these problems would continue in a new and expanded park.[33] [34] [35] The renovations to Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza were designed by NYC Parks architect George Vellonakis and included six fountains within reflecting pools, steel lattice pavilions and colonnade, and new landscaping and benches.[2] [36] [37] [38]

The owners of 866 Second Avenue, a consortium of investors who bought that building from Helmsley, agreed in 1994 to rebuild the plaza's sculpture garden for $300,000, in exchange for being absolved of responsibility for the garden's upkeep. The plans include lowering the sculpture garden so it was more visible from the street. As part of the renovations, a garden was created along the southern edge of the park and dedicated to actress Katharine Hepburn on May 12, 1997, her ninetieth birthday.[39] The former actress had been a resident of the Turtle Bay neighborhood for six decades and fought to save trees on her block. Katharine Hepburn Garden includes a bench taken from her estate in Fenwick, Connecticut, stepping stones inscribed with her quotations, and tablets with pictures from her films.[36] [40] [41]

The final phase of the renovation, which included narrowing 47th Street between First and Second avenues to a westbound-only, three-lane street, could not commence until eastbound M27 and M50 crosstown buses were rerouted away from the plaza. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) proposed rerouting the buses onto either 46th or 48th Street, but residents of both streets opposed the plans.[42] Mayor Rudy Giuliani decided in December 1997 to cancel plans for the final phase of the renovation, which involved converting the eastbound roadway into an expanded plaza, after local residents and the city government were unable to agree on plans to narrow 47th Street. This led Hepburn to threaten to remove her name from the garden. The city announced that it would go ahead with the park expansion in September 1998 after an agreement was reached with the MTA to reroute the M27 and M50 buses.[37] [43] The expansion of the plaza was completed in August 1999, which increased the size of the park by half an acre.[38] [44]

In 2000, a weekly greenmarket was added to the park, which continues to be held each Wednesday and is managed by GrowNYC.[45] [46] [47] The following year a small cafe opened in a private concession space near the eastern end of the park that was designed by NYC Parks to resemble a glass greenhouse.[48] By the 21st century, Katharine Hepburn's birthday was celebrated at the park's Katharine Hepburn Garden annually.[49]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza . New York City Department of Parks and Recreation . May 3, 2023 . July 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725012313/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/dag-hammarskjold-plaza/ . live.
  2. Web site: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Highlights . New York City Department of Parks and Recreation . May 3, 2023 . July 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220722052159/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/dag-hammarskjold-plaza/history . live.
  3. News: Donovan . Robert J. . March 30, 1947 . U. N. Street Widening Spells Tragedy for Many: Demolitions for 47th Street Approach to World Capital Pose Residential, Employment, Religious and Educational Problems for Hundreds . A1 . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . .
  4. News: Rosenthal . A. M. . March 28, 1947 . Plan to Tear Down Church for U.N. Stirs People of 47th Street Area . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . April 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429134828/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/03/28/archives/plan-to-tear-down-church-for-un-stirs-people-of-47th-street-area.html . live.
  5. Book: Hanlon, Pamela . 2017 . A Worldly Affair: New York, the United Nations, and the Story Behind Their Unlikely Bond . New York . Fordham University Press . 56–58 . 9780823277971.
  6. News: Holden . Ed . May 22, 1947 . UN Plans Start of 1st Building by December . 32 . Daily News . New York . May 9, 2023 . newspapers.com . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028161556/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-un-plans-start-of-1st-buildin/124306241/ . live .
  7. News: July 11, 1947 . 2,000 Fight Demolition of Church on U.N. Site . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . April 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429134828/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/07/11/archives/2000-fight-demolition-of-church-on-un-site.html . live.
  8. News: Gray . Christopher . April 21, 2010 . One Among Many Ideas for the U.N. Site . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . December 27, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171227180449/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/realestate/25streets.html . live.
  9. News: July 25, 1947 . U.N. Site Approach Proposed to City . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503050058/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/07/25/archives/un-site-approach-proposed-to-city-real-estate-firm-offers-gift-if.html . live.
  10. News: August 25, 1947 . Architects Offer Plan for U.N. Area . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503052105/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/08/25/archives/architects-offer-plan-for-un-area-present-proposals-for-land-in.html . live.
  11. News: Woodbridge . Frederick J. . October 23, 1948 . UN Site--A Challenge: Home of United Nations Overlooks Area That Needs Extensive Improvement Program . WM3 . The Christian Science Monitor . .
  12. News: August 25, 1947 . Architects Act to Alter Plan for Site of UN . 2 . Daily News . New York . May 9, 2023 . newspapers.com . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028161516/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-architects-act-to-alter-plan/124306078/ . live .
  13. News: Spagnoli . Gene . Caron . Kenneth . August 26, 1947 . Railroaders Get Steam Up Over UN Plan to Raze 'Y' . 27 . Daily News . New York . May 9, 2023 . newspapers.com . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028161520/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-railroaders-get-steam-up-over/124306474/ . live .
  14. News: August 28, 1947 . Mayor Icy to U.N. Approach Plan . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503050050/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/08/28/archives/mayor-icy-to-un-approach-plan-city-cool-to-plan-for-un-approach.html . live.
  15. News: Lee . Dick . August 28, 1947 . O'D. Backs Up Moses on UN Area Project . 2 . Daily News . New York . May 9, 2023 . newspapers.com . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028161519/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-od-backs-up-moses-on-un-are/124306310/ . live .
  16. News: January 10, 1948 . Value Set on U.N. Area; Justice Says 47th Street Properties Are Worth $1,453,115 . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028161518/https://www.nytimes.com/1948/01/10/archives/value-set-on-un-area-justice-says-47th-street-properties-are-worth.html . live .
  17. News: Teltsch . Kathleen . August 20, 1948 . Excavation Date for U.N. Put Ahead . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . April 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430020943/https://www.nytimes.com/1948/08/20/archives/excavation-date-for-un-put-ahead-work-on-permanent-site-in.html . live.
  18. News: Peluso . Dom . August 20, 1948 . Board Approves 3 Million to Start Widening UN Streets . 16 . Daily News . New York . May 9, 2023 . newspapers.com . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028161518/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-board-approves-3-million-to-s/124306405/ . live .
  19. News: McNulty . Gene . Holden . Edwin . March 22, 1950 . UN Bldg. Site Will Cost City 3 Million Extra . 23 . Daily News . New York . May 9, 2023 . newspapers.com . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028162019/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-un-bldg-site-will-cost-city/124307118/ . live .
  20. News: October 25, 1961 . Councilmen Shelve Ethics Code Action . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041847/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/10/25/archives/councilmen-shelve-ethics-code-action.html . live.
  21. News: November 11, 1961 . N.Y. Park Named For Hammarskjold . B14 . The Washington Post . 0190-8286 . .
  22. News: April 15, 1964 . New UN Plaza to Honor Dag . 58 . Daily News . New York . May 9, 2023 . newspapers.com . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028162019/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-new-un-plaza-to-honor-dag/124308218/ . live .
  23. News: April 15, 1964 . City and U.N. Open Drive for Hammarskjold Bridge . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028162017/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/15/archives/city-and-un-open-drive-for-hammarskjold-bridge.html . live .
  24. News: December 23, 1965 . City Funds Are Approved for Hammarskjold Bridge . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028162018/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/12/23/archives/city-funds-are-approved-for-hammarskjold-bridge.html . live .
  25. News: Von Eckardt . Wolf . May 19, 1968 . U.N. 'Landscaper' Saves Best of Old New York: A Magnet for Visitors . B5 . The Washington Post, Times Herald . 0190-8286 . .
  26. News: November 17, 1970 . Developer Leases Half of Dag Hammarskjold Park for Use as a Plaza . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503050055/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/17/archives/developer-leases-half-of-dag-hammarskjold-park-for-use-as-a-plaza.html . live.
  27. News: Lueck . Thomas J. . October 7, 1990 . Are Plazas Public Boons, or Nuisances? . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . April 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220411143218/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/07/realestate/are-plazas-public-boons-or-nuisances.html . live.
  28. News: Myers . Steven Lee . November 26, 1991 . Pay Attention When I'm Protesting! . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . May 25, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150525232451/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/26/nyregion/pay-attention-when-i-m-protesting.html . live.
  29. News: Maitland . Leslie . May 3, 1976 . Tens of Thousands Join March to the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on Behalf of Soviet Jewry . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041845/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/03/archives/tens-of-thousands-join-march-to-the-dag-hammarskjold-plaza-on.html . live.
  30. News: Shenon . Philip . May 7, 1984 . Thousands March on 5th Ave. to Protest Soviet Treatment of Jews . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041848/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/07/nyregion/thousands-march-on-5th-ave-to-protest-soviet-treatment-of-jews.html . live.
  31. News: Eisinger . Dale W. . Reyna . Rikki . Slattery . Denis . January 21, 2017 . NYC Women's March sets more than 400,000 protesters upon Trump Tower . Daily News . New York . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041845/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-women-march-sets-400g-protesters-trump-tower-article-1.2952401 . live.
  32. News: Howe . Marvine . April 3, 1994 . Neighborhood Report: East Side; Rebuilding a Sculpture Garden . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . May 26, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150526100820/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/03/nyregion/neighborhood-report-east-side-rebuilding-a-sculpture-garden.html . live.
  33. News: Howe . Marvine . October 3, 1993 . Diplomacy Rare on U.N. Park . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503050053/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/03/nyregion/neighborhood-report-east-side-diplomacy-rare-on-un-park.html . live.
  34. News: Brechtel . Seth M. . October 22, 1993 . UN Debate About a Park . Newsday . newspapers.com . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503044811/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123915436/un-debate-about-a-park/ . live.
  35. Web site: How We Started . Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Park . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041849/https://hammarskjoldplaza.org/about/how-we-started/ . live.
  36. News: Coleman . Chrisena . December 3, 1997 . Katie, Bar the Door . Daily News . New York . sec. Metro, p. 1 . newspapers.com . May 3, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028162026/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/53308729/ . live .
  37. News: Lombardi . Frank . September 24, 1998 . UN plaza to expand . Daily News . New York . sec. Metro, p. 1 . May 3, 2023 . newspapers.com . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041845/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123921042/un-plaza-to-expand/ . live.
  38. August 18, 1999 . Mayor Giuliani Dedicates Expanded Dag Hammarskjold Plaza . Mayor's Press Office . May 3, 2023 . April 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230426025433/https://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/99b/pr322-99.html . live.
  39. News: Malbin . Peter . March 21, 1999 . If You're Thinking of Living In / The Turtle Bay Neighborhood; In U.N.'s Shadow, Elegance, Convenience . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . September 11, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170911084316/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/21/realestate/if-you-re-thinking-living-turtle-bay-neighborhood-un-s-shadow-elegance.html . live.
  40. Web site: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Highlights - Katharine Hepburn Garden . New York City Department of Parks and Recreation . May 3, 2023 . August 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806012727/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/dag-hammarskjold-plaza/highlights/9755 . live.
  41. Web site: Garden . Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Park . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041847/https://hammarskjoldplaza.org/garden/ . live.
  42. News: Ramirez . Anthony . August 11, 1996 . Hyberbole Rolls on 46th Long Before Crosstown Buses Can . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . May 26, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150526163024/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/nyregion/hyberbole-rolls-on-46th-long-before-crosstown-buses-can.html . live.
  43. News: Ramirez . Anthony . September 27, 1998 . Neighborhood Report: East Side -- Update; With Buses Rerouted, a Plaza Can Now Grow Green . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . May 27, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150527084636/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/27/nyregion/neighborhood-report-east-side-update-with-buses-rerouted-plaza-can-now-grow.html . live.
  44. News: Herszenhorn . David M. . August 19, 1999 . Giuliani Declines to Join Fight Over Trump Tower Near U.N. . en-US . The New York Times . May 9, 2023 . 0362-4331 . September 12, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170912162325/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/19/nyregion/giuliani-declines-to-join-fight-over-trump-tower-near-un.html . live.
  45. Web site: Kirby . David . March 26, 2000 . Greenmarket Idea for U.N. Area Runs into Unexpected Red Lights . The New York Times . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503050048/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/26/nyregion/neighborhood-report-east-side-greenmarket-idea-for-un-area-runs-into-unexpected.html . live.
  46. News: May 21, 2000 . Get Fresh, New York . Daily News . New York . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041849/https://www.nydailynews.com/fresh-new-york-bumper-crop-recipes-savoring-greenmarket-goodies-article-1.874356 . dead.
  47. Web site: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket . GrowNYC . September 30, 2007 . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503041855/https://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/manhattan/dag-hammarskjold . live.
  48. Web site: July 30, 2001 . Eaters and Artists to Find New Delights . New York City Department of Parks and Recreation . May 3, 2023 . July 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220723005817/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/dag-hammarskjold-plaza/dailyplant/10456 . live.
  49. Web site: Vadukul . Alex . New Yorkers Celebrate Katharine Hepburn’s 117th Birthday in a Garden in Turtle Bay . The New York Times . May 15, 2024 . May 17, 2024.

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