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Scoping Materials for Secondary Screening Facility


Statue of Liberty National Monument is asking the public to comment on a proposal to construct a secondary security screening facility on Liberty Island to replace the existing security screening tent. The new building(s) would house security screening operations for visitors with tickets to enter the Statue of Liberty's Pedestal and/or Crown, and provide lockers for personal items not allowed in the Statue (back-packs, large purses, diaper bags, strollers, etc.). The purpose of this project is to a provide storm resistant structure to protect expensive and sensitive security screening equipment, reduce operations and maintenance costs, allow for more efficient screening, promote better pedestrian circulation, and improve important views within the cultural landscape on Liberty Island.

In response to the events of 9/11, Statue of Liberty National Monument enhanced secondary security screening for all visitors entering the Statue. The screening tent, envisioned as a short-term security solution, is located on the main pedestrian mall. The tent detracts from the view of the back of the Statue, which was designed as a focal point within the cultural landscape. Additionally, the layout of the pre-fabricated tent limits the number of people who can be screened at any one time. As a result, the main mall is congested by visitors navigating around the tent and long security lines. Finally, the tent fabric and elevated wooden floor degrade in the salt air of New York Harbor and must be repaired on a regular basis. Nor does the tent structure provide a solid base for the screening equipment, causing service outages during wind events due to tent movement/vibrations. A permanent facility is needed to protect the equipment, improve the cultural landscape and visitor experience and reduce maintenance problems.

Several concept designs have been developed for this project. The proposal calls for low buildings on one or both sides of the main visitor entrance to the Statue. Design renderings and additional information about the project can be found at the link below.

Feedback will be taken throughout a 30-day public scoping period, during which the public is invited to identify any issues or concerns they might have with the proposed project. The National Park Service will consider public comments in preparing an environmental assessment (EA) for compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act. Comments related to historic properties will also be gathered to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 is the process by which federal agencies take into account the effect of proposed projects on properties listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be submitted online at
via this website no later than November 16, 2016.
 
Comment Period: Closed        Oct 17, 2016 - Nov 16, 2016
Topic Questions Instructions:
Please answer any or all of these topic questions as part of your response to our project proposal, or add your own comments.
Topic Questions:
1. Which location design concepts do you think work best and why?
2. Are there other design options NPS should consider to minimize the appearance of the new buildings in the landscape?
3. Are there other options that could help relieve pedestrian congestion that NPS should consider?
4. Are there any natural resource issues or historic properties that NPS has not identified?
5. Are there other solutions that NPS has not considered?
Document Content:
Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published.
Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems.