Town board views conceptual rendering of new gazebo for downtown recreation field
July 23, 2010
by Christine Yeres
Last Tuesday night the town board viewed drawings prepared by landscape architect Nick Pouder for a new gazebo for the downtown recreation field, a project the Downtown Steering Committee, an advisory board to the town board, has had in development during the last several months.
The existing rectangular gazebo sits below street-level in the far northeast corner of the recreation field on South Greeley Avenue separated from the Shell gas station by a rather weak watercourse. The structure is in serious enough disrepair that the town board’s inclination is to tear it down and build a completely new, octagonal gazebo up at street level with direct access from the sidewalk and removable railings on three of its eight sides.
Pouder’s renderings show an eight-sided, eight-columned open-air structure topped by a copper roof and a cupola that echoes the Bell School cupola across the street. The structure would be illuminated in the interior and curved steps would descend gradually on the field side from the gazebo’s floor level.
Sounds lovely, but how much will it cost?
During their meeting, town board members discussed the relative merits and costs of concrete, brick, bluestone and eurocobble as floor and step surfaces. The purpose of Pouder’s presentation before the town board was to procure approval from the board for the overall concept as developed to date. Board member Michael Wolfensohn stated that he needed to hear details of the potential cost of the project before giving it the nod. Pouder responded with estimates of around $240,000 for the landscaping and steps and around $185,000 for the gazebo itself.
Construction of the gazebo is the first phase of a conceptual plan that could in the future include restoring the watercourse to a healthy stream. The plan shows the streambed crossed by two small bridges that would allow pedestrians to walk from the northern end of the recreation field to the train station parking lot.
Members of the town board expressed their approval of the design and their intention to keep the project a priority. But Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard said afterward that the board would work to bring down the cost of the project by first examining the types of materials suggested by Pouder.
Editor’s Note: The follow up to this story—“Town board members balk at cost of proposed gazebo, look to lay more sidewalk”—appeared on August 6, 2010.
$425,000 for a new gazebo??!! We are trying to keep taxes down but we are going to spend $425k for a gazebo that few care about and has been allowed to deteriorate to the point that it can’t be fixed. This is just irresponsible in this economic environment. But don’t worry. They will ram it down our throats just like they did the regulation field at Amsterdam
It’s a great idea and would make a handsome focal point, but I agree with the board that it’s too expensive right now. How about a shingle or cedar shingle roof instead? Copper’s got to be an expensive element.
While I’m all for a more functional and esthetically designed gazebo, the design depicted here represents a throwback to overspending we saw in the 90’s with no regard to budgets and the environment. How about we try something using more natural materials, that would be less expensive, more durable and require less maintenance. If it could be designed and landscaped to fit in with the environment, rather than standout, it could be a role model for the community to follow.
I’m sure we could find plenty of builders using local materials and local labor, and make this a model of sustainable design. Perhaps we could engage some of the Greeley students and faculty as well to build some community involvement and make sure there is wider and enduring interest in the outcome! I’m not talking about a tree house in the middle of town here, I’m talking about a beautiful (small) wood structure similar to those found in many lovely towns and on college campuses (think outdoor classroom and performing arts center!).
The town board seems to have a blind side when it comes to concerns from its residents. In a good economy this would make some sense, NOT TODAY!
how about some volunteers to repair the gazebo and change and paint any rotted wood. the new look is definitely beautiful architecturally estesthic, but don’t we all want mansions and maserattis. why didn’t the parks department, with all it’s staff, take care of it. what do they all do there, please provide the manpower and budget? they don’t take care of the fields!!! I dare this to get printed! the parks department should repair or rebuild out of their budget!! what a shame. i remember when it was built. that’s how the town takes care of everything. look at other towns all over westchester. we are the ugliest looking town around.
Caring Citizen:
you said the rec dept:
“what do they all do there, please provide the manpower and budget? they don’t take care of the fields!!! I dare this to get printed! the parks department should repair or rebuild out of their budget!! what a shame. i remember when it was built. that’s how the town takes care of everything. look at other towns all over westchester. we are the ugliest looking town around.”
What planet do you live in? Have you played on fields that are not from here? The fields here are in great condition, and if you went out during the day and saw the work that is put into them, you would think differently. If you think the fields need work, volunteer to help!!
Get out and help instead of bashing peoples hard work!!
The downtown steering committee is supposed to be an open meeting at the beginning of each session. With no agenda posted in advance and no knowledge of when this meeting is taking place, no one in the community has a clue as the downtown Steering committee looks for ways to spend our money.
While the town board likes the suggestions, we as residents need to have a say as they continue to spend our money in this poor economy. Will the new design serve the purpose
that was originally conceived and paid for by donations?
Well, I used to try very hard to fix the fields, but the town rules were that we were taking away from the union, when it came to fixing poorly graded fields after it rained, so our children could play, Mr. Lay off sir. I am sorry. there is nothing you can say that makes me feel that the fields are in excellent condition. Yes, I have seen every single field in Westchester. My children played several sports. I have even built the Bedford field of dreams ball field off the saw mill river parkway. Go to Bedford and see how fields are taken care of or other towns. Go pick any one of them, except maybe tied in the Bronx. I was one of the hardest working guys at the town hall playground when we volunteered about 20 years ago.so there.
