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Contact: Jerry Willis, (646) 356-2105
The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Statue of Liberty –Ellis Island Foundation, has prepared an environmental assessment to evaluate a proposal to construct a new 20,000-square-foot Statue of Liberty Museum within the Statue of Liberty National Monument on Liberty Island. The environmental assessment examines two alternatives: a no-action alternative (alternative 1) and the proposed action to construct a new museum on the northwestern portion of Liberty Island (alternative 2). A proposed temporary pier would be constructed on the northern side of the island to facilitate the movement of construction materials to and from the island. Once construction of the museum is completed, the pier would be dismantled and removed. The purpose of the project is to move the Liberty Island Museum out of the Statue's Pedestal into a new facility on the island. The project is needed because recent life-safety upgrades at the Statue of Liberty have led to revised and reduced occupancy levels inside the monument (defined as the Statue and the Pedestal). Currently, only about 20% of visitors to Liberty Island are able to explore the museum inside the Statue of Liberty. The remaining visitors to the island visit only the grounds. While free audio tours add to this grounds-only experience, there is limited space for visitors to sit or take shelter in foul weather. The new museum would provide a richer interpretive experience that would be available to all visitors and provide indoor space for visitors during inclement weather. The environmental assessment is available for review on the project website at Comments on the environmental assessment will be taken throughout a 30-day public comment period. Comments related to historic properties and a draft memorandum of agreement included in the environmental assessment as an appendix will also be gathered for the purposes of compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 is the process by which federal agencies consider the effect of undertakings on historic resources in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be submitted online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/STLI_Liberty_Museum_EA or mailed to the below address no later than June 25, 2016. Statue of Liberty National Monument ATTN: New Museum Construction Project Ellis Island Receiving Office Jersey City, New Jersey 07305 |
Last updated: October 7, 2016