Partial Deconstruction of Hangar 38 Miller Field Memorandum of Agreement Available for Public Review

Date: July 5, 2016
Contact: Daphne Yun, 718-354-4602
Contact: Marilou Ehrler, 718-354-4561

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to partially deconstruct Hangar 38 at Miller Field, Staten Island, New York, in response to Hurricane Sandy damage, and is requesting public review of the Memorandum of Agreement with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (NY SHPO).

The NPS proposes to partially deconstruct Hangar 38 by removing the later Works Progress Administration (WPA) side-wing additions, the boiler room, chimney, and all exterior cladding from the hangar and to remove the asbestos roofing leaving only the original structural steel frame and corrugated steel sheathing in place.  Hangar 38 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Miller Army Air Field Historic District.

Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to Hangar 38 which was heavily impacted by salt water flooding, high winds, and wave action.  The NPS realizes that returning Hangar 38 to its historic state is unsustainable. This partial deconstruction is designed to demonstrate elements of flow-through design in an effort to make this historic property more resilient to future storm surges and expected sea-level rise.

The proposed partial deconstruction of Hangar 38 is subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), which requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their actions on historic properties.  Due to the loss of historic fabric, the NPS has determined that the proposed project will have an adverse effect on Hangar 38 and the Miller Army Air Field Historic District.  As required by NHPA, the NPS has consulted with the New York State Historic Preservation Office, and has drafted a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to that effect.

The MOA will be available for public review and comment from July 5 to July 19, 2016.  Please go to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/Hangar38MOA to view the MOA and comment electronically.  You are also welcome to mail comments directly to:

Office of the Superintendent
Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Wadsworth
Attn:  Hangar 38 MOA
210 New York Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10305

Please postmark your comments by July 19, 2016 for consideration.

For more information on Gateway National Recreation Area and this project, please visit www.nps.gov/gate.