There's a new proposal to protect the old Verizon Building on the West Side Highway from a Hurricane Sandy-like event. The idea pitched to Community Board 1 last night for 140 West Streetwhich is currently undergoing a pricey conversion by the notorious Ben Shaoul into a residential building with 161 apartments, a $100M penthouse, pretty Art Deco interiors, and the address of 100 Barclay Streetis a series of removable flood barriers.
Jill Daniele of Milrose Associates presented the proposal to CB 1's Financial District Committee on Wednesday. They would be nine feet tall and attached to stainless steel plates that would be flush with the sidewalk, seen here along the arcade. They could be depoloyed and removed in a matter of days. (There is usually that kind of lead time when massive weather events like Sandy or Irene are on their way.) When not in place, they would be stored in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
Unlike the proposal to turn 23 Wall Street into an entertainment mecca, the committee didn't seem to have a problem with the removable floor barriers. Members asked a couple of questions, but no vote was taken.
—Evan Bindelglass is a local freelance journalist, photographer, cinephile, and foodie. You can e-mail him, follow him on Twitter @evabin, or check out his personal blog.
· All 140 West Street coverage [Curbed]
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