By Scott Etkin
After nearly two years of planning and gathering feedback from the community, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts today released renderings showing the public facilities it plans to add to the west side of its campus. Most notable in the new visualizations are the recreational water feature and outdoor performance space; the new area will also open onto Amsterdam Avenue after removal of a portion of the high concrete wall that currently separates the Lincoln Center complex from Amsterdam.
A main goal of the $335 million redesign is to increase accessibility and year-round use of the current site of Damrosch Park, the tree-lined concrete plaza completed in 1969, that hosts outdoor performances and the Big Apple Circus. The redesign aims to accomplish this by removing the southern part of the wall that blocks access to Lincoln Center from neighbors to the west, including residents of NYCHA’s Amsterdam Houses and students at the nearby LaGuardia and Martin Luther King, Jr. high schools.
According to feedback that Lincoln Center received from community outreach over the past two years, the wall made these locals feel unwelcome on the campus. “For far too long, the dividing wall has been residents of Amsterdam Houses’ primary view of Lincoln Center,” said Yvette Powell, Tenant Association President of Amsterdam Houses.
Lincoln Center is aiming to start construction on the new point of entry in the spring of 2026. If all goes according to plan, by spring of 2028 the existing Guggenheim Bandshell will be replaced with a new performance space that’s positioned nearer to the east side of the campus and faces Amsterdam Avenue. While the existing concrete plaza holds 3,000 people, the new performance space will have a 2,000-person capacity. When not used for performances, the plaza area can be used for recreation.
Another main theme from the community feedback that Lincoln Center received was a request to add a water feature, shade, and more greenery. The plans show a lawn, tree groves, and garden that together add 50% more trees than currently exist in the park.
Lincoln Center is recognizable for its striking architecture, such as the tall arches of the Metropolitan Opera House. The new design work – led by the firms Hood Design Studio (landscape architect), WEISS/MANFREDI (design architect), and Moody Nolan (architect of record) – takes inspiration from this modernist style, according to Lincoln Center’s announcement.
“The design does not compromise Lincoln Center’s original architecture, but reinforces it,” said Paul Goldberger, architectural scholar and historian. For example, the proposed water feature on the west side of the campus echoes the fountain in the center of Josie Robertson Plaza.
The current site of Damrosch Park is the main focus of the design, but additional renovations are planned for other parts of the west side of the campus. These include tree plantings along Amsterdam Avenue, a waiting area for the M11 bus, an expanded sidewalk between West 62nd and 65th streets, and the addition of artwork and lighting within the concourse that connects Amsterdam Avenue to Broadway.
So far, Lincoln Center has raised 65% of the $335 million needed for the project. Funding has come from Lincoln Center’s Board of Directors, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and the Starr Foundation. The State of New York has also made a $10 million commitment.
Last month, Lincoln Center presented preliminary site plans for the redesign to the city’s Public Design Commission, which reviews architecture projects in public spaces. While those images gave the layout of the plan, the latest renderings show how they will look at the ground level. Lincoln Center is expected to return to the commission to present these more detailed plans.
Lincoln Center is also continuing to accept feedback from the public – HERE. The next community open house will be on Thursday, May 22.
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could be the end of the Big Apple Circus, a powerhouse NY institution. But who cares, right?
The Big Apple Circus is no longer a non profit. Why should it perform in a public park?
I believe that outside entities that use facilities like Lincoln Center pay for the privilege and provided much needed revenues for the host property.
Lincoln Center depends a great deal on rentals to outside groups.
a circuses tax status makes no difference in it’s ability to perform in a public park,
Several types of private organizations use public parks in New York City, often through public-private partnerships or by directly engaging in park-related activities. These include:
Park Conservancies:
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These organizations raise private funds and work collaboratively with the city to enhance parks, as seen with the Central Park Conservancy, which manages much of the park’s operations.
Friends of Parks groups:
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These groups, like the Friends of the High Line, actively support their local parks through fundraising, volunteer work, and advocacy.
Nonprofit organizations:
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Organizations like Partnerships for Parks (PfP), New Yorkers for Parks, and the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) provide education, volunteer support, and initiatives to enhance parks and green spaces, often working directly with public parks.
For-profit businesses:
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While requiring permits for commercial activities, some businesses may operate within parks, such as boot camp operators or fitness instructors.
Private donors and philanthropic foundations:
AI?
facts.
Generated by AI?
Not me. They can find somewhere else to go. This is a huge improvement for people not the circus.
Yeah. I really hate those talented young people who perform with the Big Apple circus. May they be unemployed and may the people of the UWS be spared from their delightful performances.
the circus involves…wait for it….people, my friend.
Yea with all the homeless and the projects across the street itll be a huge improvement. Who do you think is going to perform there Bon Jovi? The circus was fun and is a staple.
How long is the circus there every year? We should not upgrade the plaza for everyone else because of that?
I love the current park and the always-changing scene there between the Big Apple Circus, Summer Stage and other things, and just the park in-between. Not excited about this change.
Yes they never notified the folks in the 340 apartments in Hawthorne Park on the corner of 62nd and Amsterdam. Concert venue as a high school /Fordham student dream project. I am even mad about the title ‘Lincoln Center Westside project’ it’s not it’s in-filling the public Damrosch Park without regard to shade for the next 10 years at least
Lincoln Center will be presenting its plans tonight at CB7. The public may participate in person at 250 w 87th street or via zoom by visiting http://www.mcb7.org to register.
They continue to not include notification of anyone in the Hawthorne Park building which is directly across the street
Great just got this the day after
Maybe they can improve the look of the Amsterdam Houses while they’re at it. Palatable views work both ways.
It would be wonderful if they got new landscaping
Will everything here be free? Because I’d guess what keeps the residents of Amsterdam Houses away from Lincoln Center is the ticket prices. That includes the ticket prices to the Big Apple Circus
Curious…
Why would there need to be a Lincoln Center renovation to get a bus shelter for the M11?
Does the “expanded sidewalk” mean shrinking the street ?
If Lincoln Center is concerned about access for NYCHA residents, is Lincoln Center planning to provide free or low-cost tickets to NYCHA residents? Free music classes for NYCHA residents?
How many would even be interested? It’s not Lincoln Center’s job. The schools do that. Music schools do that.
Vigil –
But isn’t Lincoln Center saying that the purpose of the change is to give “access” to NYCHA/so NYCHA residents don’t feel excluded?
Personally not seeing how this revamping benefits NYCHA residents.
It is a lot of money to spend.
Will the park be closed 10 hours a day like the rest of the public space at Lincoln Center.
A total waste of money. Funny how the Lincoln Square Community is NEVER mentioned in these excuses for revisionism.
It’s not your money, is it?
Wow, the naysaying cranks are out in force! This looks great. It’s remarkable how the original Lincoln Center was so walled off from the neighborhood. All the changes to integrate it have been vast improvements.
PS: if you’re watching “Etoile,” you’ll see Lincoln Center playing a starring role. The ballet company on the show is called the Metropolitan Ballet, and it’s home is called the Fish Theatre (the name and renaming are part of the story line). It’s interesting that LC agreed to participate, since the show doesn’t paint the world of ballet (and its funders) in the best light. But the place looks great.
Damrosch Park is a public park. I’d be curious to find out if it is deemed a neighborhood park or a city park
Agree. Walking along the “Berlin Wall” that now separates Lincoln Center from its neighborhood gives me the creeps; it feels like a prison wall. The new tree-filled design will free the campus to become a true part of the heterogeneous UWS, rather than an elitist enclave for people who are offended by the sight of the “projects.”
Carmella,
I walk by there all the time.
Honestly I appreciate the quiet and tranquility.
A few years ago a neighbor did a study, interviewed some NYCHA residents about neighborhood change.
There was much mention of how things changed due to so many luxury buildings going up, the hyper-gentrification which also changed retail.
Lincoln Center wall did not come up as a concern.
That all sounds just a bit dramatic.
Perhaps a quick review of what the Berlin Wall was and how people suffered from its construction would be worthwhile.
These renderings look inviting and I adore open city spaces, preferably with some green elements, that are open to the public and friendly to people of all ages. Perhaps the changes will impact the location for the Big Apple Circus, but perhaps other location can be found, especially given how it may need less space now that it is not lugging a menagerie with it (I admit being clueless about circus spaces requirements). However, a relatively short period annually perhaps ought not dictate the use of the space year-round.
I clicked on the link above to give my feedback to Lincoln Center…..and nowhere on the page that comes up, does it allow one to leave feedback. This just seems like a done deal. And yes, I do think that this redesign is ugly.
Did I miss something here? The article does not anything about eliminating the Big Apple Circus’s annual visit. It says they want to use the space year round for other activities. Currently, in addition to Big Apple Circus, Fashion Week uses the space, as does Summer Stage performances.
I believe Fashion week does not use the space
Well, I’m one for making more open public spaces, especially with green, if done in the right way. Which in these plans or renderings looks to be.
Why would they reduce capacity?
I’m so happy Lincoln Center is finally willing and able to do this. What a difference. An added benefit — it will make Amsterdam Avenue vibrant. So far, the development along Amsterdam has failed to turn it into a lively area. This will do it! Thank you Lincoln Center and all the donors that will make this possible.
How many times has millions of dollars been spent on “renovating” Lincoln Center??? Why not spend a couple of million increasing free performances, introducing new performers, new audiences, instead of making a better water exhibit, taking down shade trees, and places where one can sit and enjoy a solitary moment? I’m in favor of “tearing down that wall” but the rest is making a lot of unnecessary change. It’s the performers,….especially the unknown performers who need a venue that should also be considered.