What’s happening?The National Park Service has awarded a $22 million construction contract to make repairs to the historic fort that serves as the foundation for the Statue of Liberty and its pedestal. Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), the project will make drainage and safety improvements that will help preserve the structure and enhance accessibility for visitors. Why are we doing this project?Fort Wood is an eleven-pointed, star-shaped fort built between 1808 and 1811 as part of New York’s harbor defense system. The terreplein is an element of fort architecture from this time period where guns and cannons were mounted on an elevated flat surface behind the parapet wall of the fort. In the early 1880s, in preparation for construction of the Statue of Liberty, the structures inside the fort were knocked down and the statue’s pedestal was built inside the stone walls. After the Statue of Liberty was constructed on its pedestal in the middle of Fort Wood in 1886, there were many ideas for what to do with the area between the interior of Fort Wood’s walls and the pedestal. Ultimately in 1907, this space was filled with earth creating the walking plaza at approximately the two-story height you see today that overlooks New York Harbor. This fill was temporarily excavated in the 1960s to construct the American Museum of Immigration, which surrounded the pedestal. The last major rehabilitation of the terreplein surface occurred during the 1980s restoration of the Statue of Liberty. In the ensuing 40 years, the paving has deteriorated and freeze-thaw cycles in the earth underneath has led to heaving and displacement of the pavers. Crumbling and displaced granite and bluestone pavers throughout the terreplein is the most concerning issue in need of treatment today. These poor conditions pose tripping hazards and severely limit accessibility for visitors. Additionally, the deteriorated surface allows rainwater to pool and leak inside and underneath the walking plaza causing myriad issues to the interior spaces below, some of which house the Statue’s electrical and mechanical infrastructure. This project will also add a waterproof barrier to areas of the terreplein that cross over these spaces. Repairs will be made to the exterior staircases at the base of the pedestal, specifically to ensure the granite cladding is anchored well into the substructure. Structural work will also be completed to the slab that supports the terreplein where it crosses over open spaces in the lobby and utility rooms inside the fort. The park’s historical resource specialists are working closely with architects, engineers, and masonry experts to make sure these repairs are in keeping with the character and appearance of the fort and pedestal. While these structures are overall in good condition, this project will ensure that visitors can enjoy their time on the terreplein for many years to come.
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Last updated: March 14, 2024