Brooklyn's Progress
August 2003

By the Office of the Mayor

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg recently presented awards at the 21st Annual Awards for Excellence in Design to nine projects including the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.  The Design Awards allow the Commission an opportunity to recognize outstanding work, and to encourage City Agencies, designers, artists and architects to strive for artistic excellence.  The Art Commission encourages thoughtful projects, both large and small, that will enhance the urban environment.  The Design Awards allow the Commission an opportunity to recognize outstanding work, and to encourage City Agencies, designers, artists and architects to strive for artistic excellence. Deputy Mayor for Administration Patricia E. Harris, New York Public Library President Paul LeClerc, Art Commission President Jean Parker Phifer and Art Commission Executive Director Deborah Bershad joined Mayor Bloomberg at the New York Public Library for the ceremony on July 14.

 “All of these projects demonstrate a commitment to the kind of excellence in design that is part of what makes New York the world’s most exciting and beautiful city,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “In a City like New York, excellence in public design means everything, and the Art Commission helps us accomplish this by reviewing and approving design for art, architecture and landscaping on City property, while also overseeing the preservation of the City’s art collection.”

The Art Commission of the City of New York, established in 1898, reviews and approves works of art, architecture, and landscape architecture on City-owned property.  The Art Commission is comprised of 11 members who serve pro bono, and three full time staff. Each year the Art Commission reviews several hundred designs for art, architecture, street furniture, landscape architecture, street furniture landscape architecture, parks and playgrounds, distinctive sidewalks, and lighting for aesthetic appropriateness.  Design awards are given to those who surpass the Art Commission’s high standards for design quality in public works.

“This year, the Commission is delighted to recognize outstanding creative work from world-renowned architects and designers, as well as from the design staff within several New York City agencies,” said Art Commission President Phifer.

The award recipients are as follows:
 
Expansion and Renovation of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn
A Project of the New York City Department of Design and Construction
Rafael Viñoly, Rafael Viñoly Architects PC

East River Ferry Landings
East 34th Street, East 62nd Street, and East 75th Street, Manhattan
A Project of the New York City Economic Development Corporation
Frano Violich, Kennedy & Violich Architecture, Ltd.
Ken Smith, Ken Smith Landscape Architect

Expansion and Renovation of the Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx
A Project of the New York City Department of Design and Construction
Bernando Fort Brescia and Laurinda Spear, Arquitectonica

Department of Sanitation Garage for Districts 4/4A/7
650 West 57th Street and 780-786 Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan
A Project of the New York City Department of Sanitation
Joseph R. Contursi, AIA, Iffland Kavanagh Waterbury, PLLC
Mike Friedlander & Staff, Department of Sanitation

East 153rd Street Bridge
Between Grand Concourse and Park Avenue, Bronx
A Project of the New York City Department of Transportation
Alim Baycora and Jeffrey Han, CTE Engineers/Daniel Frankfurt

Barretto Point Park
Southeast Side of Viele Avenue between Tiffany Street and Barretto Street, Bronx
A Project of the City of New York/Parks & Recreation
Ricardo Hinkle, RLA, DPR

Restoration of the Farragut Monument
North side of Madison Square Park, near Madison Avenue and East 26th Street, Manhattan
An Adopt-A-Monument Project of the City of New York/Parks & Recreation and The Municipal Art Society
Cameron Wilson and Jackie Wilson, Wilson Conservation

New Façade Lighting
P.S. 1, 22-25 Jackson Avenue at 46th Avenue, Long Island City, Queens
A Project of the New York City Department of Design and Construction
Hervé Descottes, L'Observatoire International

Special Recognition Award
20th Anniversary of the Percent for Art Program
Department of Cultural Affairs