Pershing Sq., Manhattan,
NYC, June 26, 2018 -
On this day in 1978 the US Supreme Court validated
New York City’s Landmark Preservation Law which saved Grand Central Terminal.
The law was enacted 2 years after the destruction of New York’s Pennsylvania
Station Beaux Arts structure in 1963 which has been termed as, ‘the greatest
act of vandalism’. Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis helped lead the fight to save GCT
from the wrecker’s ball against the construction of a 50-story office tower in
its place. The Supreme Court’s monumental decision Penn Central v. City of New
York was the culmination of a drawn-out court battle to determine the validity of
the law.
The event was held across the street from the main
entrance of GCT in the side street just to the east of Pershing Square.
“Grand Central Terminal is the Forrest Gump of New
York City Landmarks,” said Adrian Untermyer, Founder and Chair of the Penn
Central Day Committee, “as it is everywhere in American culture and beloved by
all who know it. We look forward to throwing this building – and the case that
helped save it – a party to remember.”
Elizabeth Goldstein, President of the Municipal Arts
Society said, “This is such an important day because it celebrates the 40th
anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that affirms the rights of
municipalities to protect landmarks.”
Architectural historian Samuel D. Albert spoke on
the dramatic effect Grand Central means to New York City, “But now, and
especially today, on this anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Penn
Central v. City of New York edits components, those components are, themselves,
important and worthwhile, that they all work together: buildings without the subway are useless; the
subway, without destinations is worthless, the greatness of New York lies in
the complexity and variety of its urban fabric.”
Brad Vogel, Executive Director of the New York
Preservation Archive Project reminded us of the value of effort, even when it
seems like a lost cause, “Look up and you’ll see that massive Tiffany clock
face – a reminder that, as Jackie O once noted, “If there is a great effort,
even if it’s at the eleventh hour, then you can succeed.” He later added, “So
let this edifice stand as a sublime symbol of the will of the citizens of this
city to preserve amid the unceasing hubbub, what is best and highest, what we
look to pass onto future generations even as the metropolis changes. And let it
remind us, when our spirits flag, when the landmarks law itself seems diluted
by degrees, to keep our chins up, to have hope and remember that the Landmarks
Law has been an incredible force for good.”
The program featured a cake, a few choruses of
"Happy Birthday" led by Olivia K, Brooklyn’s “soul-fusion
powerhouse,” and brief remarks before attendees ‘retirement’ to the Grand
Central Oyster Bar for cocktails, conversation and a toast to the decision.
Attendees were encouraged to dress like Grand Central Terminal although none did.
The group did 'retire' to the Oyster Bar in GCT to raise a toast to the saving of this grand structure.
In addition to commemorating the decision, another
event is noted. The event also marks the 20th anniversary of the October 1,
1998 rededication of GCT at the conclusion of a massive overhaul. In a huge
celebration of the 85th anniversary of the building was marked by an appearance
by John F. Kennedy Jr and former Mayor Ed Koch (who as a congressman, was
joined by Bess Myerson, Jackie Kennedy-Onassis and Philip Johnson to save GCT).
Tonight's event kicks off a series of events this
week at Grand Central in celebration of the 40 year old Supreme Court decision.
To see my blogpost on the dedication of the Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis entrance of GCT, visit : http://railientrails.blogspot.com/2014/07/jacqueline-kennedy-onassis-memorialized.html
