FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, August 13, 2008 MAYOR…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 13, 2008


        MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND COMMISSIONERS KATE D. LEVIN
         AND DAVID J. BURNEY JOIN THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
                        TO OPEN NEW CURATORIAL CENTER
             AND JAMES G. DINAN AND ELIZABETH R. MILLER GALLERY

               Department of Cultural Affairs Supports First Major Renovation Since 1932

               Project Creates 26,000 Square Feet of Space to Enhance Public Access and
                                      Preserve Historic Collection

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin and Design and
Construction Commissioner David J. Burney joined officials from the Museum of the City of New York
today to celebrate the opening of a state-of-the-art curatorial center and the James G. Dinan and Elizabeth
R. Miller gallery. This project marks the completion of Phase I of a three-phase modernization and
expansion ­ the first major renovation of the landmark facility since 1932.

"This museum, already a vital anchor of Museum Mile, has completed the first part of an incredible
renovation and expansion that will help attract even more visitors to this storied stretch of arts
institutions," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The project we're celebrating today includes impressive design
elements, but from where I stand, one of the most impressive things about this project is the fact that it
came in on time and on budget. I'd like to congratulate everyone at the Museum, as well as the City's
Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Design and Construction, for making it happen."

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs provided $19.5 million for the project, which was
designed by Polshek Partnership Architects and managed by the New York City Department of Design
and Construction. Support from the City helped catalyze private fundraising of more than $22M for all
three phases, including a major gift from Museum Board Chair James G. Dinan and his wife, Elizabeth R.
Miller.

"This project is a great investment for New York City, and represents a terrific partnership among the
Department of Cultural Affairs, the City Council, the Borough President and private funders," said
Commissioner Levin. "This renovation expands public access to the Museum of the City of New York's
vibrant exhibitions and programs. It also enhances the Museum's ability to conserve its iconic collection
for future study. The Museum's leaders have shown extraordinary commitment, and successfully
energized the funding community to bring the City's storied history to life for thousands of visitors."

"This museum is one of New York City's treasures, and it needs to expand to assure its place as a pre-
eminent cultural institution," said Commissioner Burney. "The challenge we met was blending
contemporary architectural design into an historic building. We already are in constructability review for
Phase II, which will enhance visitors' museum-experience for decades to come."
"Commissioner Levin and our private sector supporters had the foresight to back an ambitious
undertaking that is now transforming our institution," said Susan Henshaw Jones, President and Director
of the Museum of the City of New York. "The people of New York and visitors from all over the globe
are the beneficiaries. The Museum's programs--its exhibitions, lectures, and school programs--are
making 1220 Fifth Avenue a forum to consider the past, present and future of all five boroughs of this
great metropolis."

The Museum has dramatically expanded its exhibition and public programs over the past five years, with
attendance doubling during that time, even as Phase I construction proceeded.

Phase I includes a 15,400 square-foot three level addition, and 10,700 square feet of newly accessible
outdoor space, including:
    · the new James G. Dinan and Elizabeth R. Miller pavilion gallery;
    · a new Curatorial Center, including a specialized cold-storage facility for photographs and storage
        spaces for silver and costume collections;
    · a research room for visiting scholars;
    · a newly paved Fifth Avenue terrace; and
    · a new North terrace.

The pavilion gallery will open to the public on October 3, 2008 with the exhibition "Paris/New York:
Design Fashion Culture 1920-1940."

The Department of Cultural Affairs has also committed $20 million towards Phase II of the expansion,
which will include renovations of the Museum's classrooms and main gallery, new offices, upgraded
infrastructure systems, new public bathrooms, and a redesigned museum shop. Construction is scheduled
to commence by year-end.

Phase III will include the renovation of the Museum's North Wing and a major endowment campaign to
ensure long term sustainability.

The Museum of the City of New York is a private nonprofit organization that occupies a landmark City-
owned facility. The Museum receives an annual subsidy for operating and energy costs from the
Department of Cultural Affairs.

Contact: Kate deRosset/Danai Pointer, 212-513-9322


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