The city broke ground yesterday November 8th on a major restoration of the iconic New York State Pavilion observation towers in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.  The project is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2021.

The NYS Pavilion, which includes the three towers plus an amphitheater and exhibition space, was designed by famed architect Philip Johnson and built for the 1964-65 World's Fair. 

The $24 million project will restore the three long-deteriorating towers, waterproof their bases and add architectural lighting.  However,   according to the New York Park's department, the restoration  will not include the modifications necessary to allow public accessibility to the top of the towers.  Originally, The tallest of the three towers held an observation deck, while the other two contained cafeterias for the fair.

"The work we are breaking ground on today will go a long way toward restoring the iconic New York State Pavilion to its former glory," Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, who contributed over $13 million to the project, said in a statement.  "This work will enable future generations to continue to enjoy the Pavilion's distinctive Space Age architecture and be reminded about the important role the 1964-65 World's Fair played in Queens history." 

Funding also comes from Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Member Francisco Moya.