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Unisphere
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=== 1960s to 1990s === In March 1966, after the conclusion of the fair, U.S. Steel donated $100,000 to make the Unisphere a permanent attraction at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 21, 1966|title=U.S. Steel Donates A Fund to Maintain Unisphere at Fair|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/03/21/archives/us-steel-donates-a-fund-to-maintain-unisphere-at-fair.html|access-date=November 4, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308121536/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/03/21/archives/us-steel-donates-a-fund-to-maintain-unisphere-at-fair.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p510798784">{{cite news|date=March 22, 1966|title=Funds provided for Unisphere|page=16|work=The Christian Science Monitor|id={{ProQuest|510798784}}}}</ref> These funds were allocated toward a lighting system for the globe, as well as a water-recirculation system for the pools.<ref name="p510798784" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=April 4, 1966|title=Park on Fair Site Due in December; Last 23 Doomed Buildings to Be Torn Down by July|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/04/04/archives/park-on-fair-site-due-in-december-last-23-doomed-buildings-to-be-to.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726015226/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/04/04/archives/park-on-fair-site-due-in-december-last-23-doomed-buildings-to-be-to.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The park was reopened the next year following a major renovation, and the Unisphere was permanently retained as a park feature.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schumach|first=Murray|date=June 4, 1967|title=Moses Gives City Fair Site as Park; Flushing Meadows in Queens Becomes the 2d Biggest Recreation Area Here|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/06/04/archives/moses-gives-city-fair-site-as-park-flushing-meadows-in-queens.html|access-date=July 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407072907/https://www.nytimes.com/1967/06/04/archives/moses-gives-city-fair-site-as-park-flushing-meadows-in-queens.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At first, the park was lightly used, and a ''Newsday'' article in 1969 reported that the fountains at the Unisphere had been turned off.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Behrens|first=Dave|date=May 26, 1969|title=Skeleton of Fair Just Hints at What Was: On The Scene|pages=10, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82191707/worlds-fair/ 11]|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82191610/skeleton-of-fair-just-hints-at-what/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726015226/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82191610/skeleton-of-fair-just-hints-at-what/|url-status=live}}</ref> The globe was covered in [[soot|grime]] by the 1970s, while the pools were shut off and tagged with graffiti.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> In 1978, the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] tennis tournament was moved from the [[West Side Tennis Club]] in [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] to Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 28, 1977|title=U.S. Open Site Goes Public for '78|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/28/archives/us-open-site-goes-public-for-78.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726171030/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/28/archives/us-open-site-goes-public-for-78.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Parts of the park were repaired or expanded for the tournament, including the fountains of the Unisphere, which were reactivated in 1978 for the first time in ten years.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 7, 1978|title=A Renewal: Fountains Spout Again|pages=2|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82192760/a-renewal-fountains-spout-again/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726015227/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82192760/a-renewal-fountains-spout-again/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Shaman|first=Diana|date=December 3, 1978|title=In Corona, They Look for a Lift From Tennis|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/03/archives/in-corona-they-look-for-a-lift-from-tennis-corona-looks-for-a.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726170228/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/03/archives/in-corona-they-look-for-a-lift-from-tennis-corona-looks-for-a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1983, officials celebrated the 300th anniversary of Queens's founding at the base of the Unisphere.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shenon|first=Philip|date=June 5, 1983|title=At 300th Birthday Celebration, Queens Feels It's One of a Kind|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/05/nyregion/at-300th-birthday-celebration-queens-feels-it-s-one-of-a-kind.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161007/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/05/nyregion/at-300th-birthday-celebration-queens-feels-it-s-one-of-a-kind.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Unisphere Africa 6212-001.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Close-up of the Unisphere, with a steel landmass representing Africa|Close-up of [[Africa]]]] Arne Abramowitz became administrator of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in 1986 and soon began planning a renovation of the park.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rivera|first=Elaine|date=December 30, 1986|title=New Park Chief Building a Career in Open Spaces|pages=21|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217784/new-park-chief-building-a-career-in/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161020/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217784/new-park-chief-building-a-career-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, the [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]] (NYC Parks) announced an $80 million rehabilitation of the park.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Susan Heller|date=November 19, 1987|title=Park in Queens to Get $80 Million Restoration|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/19/nyregion/park-in-queens-to-get-80-million-restoration.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161015/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/19/nyregion/park-in-queens-to-get-80-million-restoration.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nydn19870920">{{Cite news|last=Neugebauer|first=William|date=September 20, 1987|title=It may be the jewel in city park crown|pages=318, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216838/flushing-meadows/ 319]|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216761/it-may-be-the-jewel-in-city-park-crown/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216761/it-may-be-the-jewel-in-city-park-crown/|url-status=live}}</ref> The renovation had been planned since the early 1980s but had been deferred due to a lack of funding. By this time, the city was shutting off the Unisphere's fountains during festivals to prevent people from wading into them.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Polsky|first=Carol|date=August 9, 1988|title=Flushing Meadows Stuck in Park|pages=9, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216396/queens-park-lurches-forward/ 24]|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216298/flushing-meadows-stuck-in-park/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161010/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216298/flushing-meadows-stuck-in-park/|url-status=live}}</ref> The restoration called for new mechanical systems, lighting, retaining walls, benches, paving, and trees to be installed in Unisphere Plaza at a cost of between $5.7 and $5.9 million.<ref name="nydn19870920" /> A second phase would landscape the surrounding grounds for $40 million.<ref name="nydn19870920" /> In 1989, a NYC Parks official observed that landmasses of countries like India and Vietnam would be lifted from their mountings on particularly windy days.<ref name="NYC Parks Unisphere" /> The grounds around the Unisphere were landscaped in 1992,<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 17, 1992|title=Overdue facelift for park in works|pages=207, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217132/ 216], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217226/ 217]|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217067/overdue-facelift-for-park-in-works/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161013/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217067/overdue-facelift-for-park-in-works/|url-status=live}}</ref> but the renovation of the Unisphere itself was delayed due to a lack of money.<ref name="n82217977">{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Ray|date=October 27, 1991|title=World's Fair-est Park? Flushing Meadows soon to have new face|pages=202, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82218112/flushing-meadows-restoration/ 203]|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217977/worlds-fair-est-park-flushing-meadows/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161015/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217977/worlds-fair-est-park-flushing-meadows/|url-status=live}}</ref> Preservationists objected when some of the trees around the Unisphere, dating to the 1964 World's Fair, were removed and replaced with trees that were easier to maintain.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Serant|first=Claire|date=August 22, 1991|title=Felled park trees trigger outrage|pages=383|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82218779/felled-park-trees-trigger-outrage/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82218779/felled-park-trees-trigger-outrage/|url-status=live}}</ref> The restoration of the Unisphere, which began in 1993, included numerous structural repairs and removal of grime accumulation on the steel. The fountains were replaced and new floodlighting was installed.<ref name="Huang 1994">{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38447214/|title=Let us spray for Unisphere|last=Huang|first=Vivian|date=June 1, 1994|work=New York Daily News|access-date=November 4, 2019|page=293|archive-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123222859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38447214/let-us-spray-for-unisphere/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1995|page=5}}</ref> Furthermore, two of the surrounding lawns were planted with rose gardens.<ref name="Muschamp 1994">{{Cite news|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/02/arts/summer-s-last-hurrah-the-final-fling-before-the-fall-recircling-the-globe.html|title=Summer's Last Hurrah: The Final Fling Before the Fall; Recircling the Globe|last=Muschamp|first=Herbert|author-link=Herbert Muschamp|date=September 2, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 4, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019233411/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/02/arts/summer-s-last-hurrah-the-final-fling-before-the-fall-recircling-the-globe.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=October 10, 1991|title=Unisphere Shaping Up for New Look|pages=35|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82195297/unisphere-shaping-up-for-new-look/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726023506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82195297/unisphere-shaping-up-for-new-look/|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the park-wide renovation, the entrance of the [[Queens Museum]], to the west, was relocated so it faced the Unisphere directly, rather than in the opposite direction.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 11, 1994|title=New/Old Entry for the Queens Museum; Once Again, Face to Face With the Unisphere|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/11/realestate/new-old-entry-for-the-queens-museum-once-again-face-to-face-with-the-unisphere.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161017/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/11/realestate/new-old-entry-for-the-queens-museum-once-again-face-to-face-with-the-unisphere.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=1312}}</ref> The restoration was completed in May 1994.<ref name="Huang 1994" /><ref name="Muschamp 1994" /> Architectural critic [[Herbert Muschamp]] wrote that, while "nothing can compensate for the loss of context around this metallic centerpiece", the globe had started to gleam "with something like its former high spirits".<ref name="Muschamp 1994" /> That year, the Annual Building Awards in Queens gave the Unisphere an award for best rehabilitation.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Belluck|first=Pam|author-link=Pam Belluck|date=October 11, 1995|title=Queens Beauty Contest: Basic Brick Is Beautiful|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/11/nyregion/queens-beauty-contest-basic-brick-is-beautiful.html|access-date=November 4, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308144718/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/11/nyregion/queens-beauty-contest-basic-brick-is-beautiful.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 1995, several Queens residents petitioned to the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) to designate the Unisphere as an official city landmark. Although the structure was only thirty years old, one speaker said "its symbolism precedes its age".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Avashti|first=Surabhi|date=February 15, 1995|title=Finding history, new & old, at 3 sites|pages=1265|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82228649/finding-history-new-old-at-3-sites/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726185148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82228649/finding-history-new-old-at-3-sites/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, there were relatively few city landmarks in Queens compared to the total number of landmarks citywide, but other structures such as the [[Lewis H. Latimer House]] and [[Vander Ende–Onderdonk House]] were receiving landmark protection.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bazzi|first=Mohamad|date=March 26, 1995|title=Overlooked Treasures|pages=54|work=Newsday|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82228889/overlooked-treasures/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726185148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82228889/overlooked-treasures/|url-status=live}}</ref> The LPC designated the Unisphere as a landmark that May.<ref>{{Cite enc-nyc2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38447505/|title=Unisphere nears landmark status|last=Avashti|first=Surabhi|date=May 15, 1995|work=New York Daily News|access-date=November 4, 2019|page=292|archive-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123222900/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38447505/unisphere-nears-landmark-status/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|430178599}} |title=Neighborhood Report: Flushing Meadows – Corona Park; Safe at Last |date=May 14, 1995 |page=13.8 |work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Though the landmark status ensured the Unisphere's preservation, other relics of the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs had become dilapidated or were being demolished at the same time.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Leduff|first=Charlie|author-link=Charlie LeDuff|date=March 17, 1996|title=Neighborhood Report: Flushing; Preserving The Relics Of the Fairs|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/17/nyregion/neighborhood-report-flushing-preserving-the-relics-of-the-fairs.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726170230/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/17/nyregion/neighborhood-report-flushing-preserving-the-relics-of-the-fairs.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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