The Fire Watchtower in Marcus Garvey Park, prior to disassembly. Image credit: Parks Department

Because individual landmark will be accessible to the public, railings and other safety features will be incorporated into reconstructed tower, as well a stainless steel structural elements. On July 14, 2015, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and approved an application to reconstruct the Watch Tower in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park, an individual City landmark. The four-story octagonal tower, built around 1855, originally served as a fire lookout tower for Northern Manhattan. It is the only extant example of the several fire towers that once stood throughout the City. Built of cast iron, the structure has severely degraded, and cannot be restored without reconstruction. The landmarks designation only encompasses the structure and the land it stands on, and none of the surrounding parkland.

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Parks Department proposes performance stage and seating areas in Washington Square Park. On March 17, 2009, Landmarks heard testimony on the Parks Department’s proposed modifications to the master plan governing the renovation of Washington Square Park.

The modifications, both on the eastern side of the park, allow for the construction of a permanent performance stage and the retention and alteration of two seating alcoves. The performance stage would be built next to the park’s Garibaldi Plaza, and would have a 20-ft. radius and a 700-sq.ft. performance area. The park currently has seven alcoves, which were built as part of the park’s last renovation in 1970, but all were slated for elimination in the 2005 master plan. One of the alcoves, near the park’s playground, would be essentially retained, and the other would be modified and reduced in size. (read more…)