National Park Service invites public comments on safety improvements to Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty holds high the symbols of freedom © 2010 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

The National Park Service (NPS) is inviting comments on proposed life safety upgrades at the Statue of Liberty National Monument, as part of the Environmental Assessment and Assessment of Effect (EA/AoE) process. Comments can be submitted electronically or by mail, through Sept. 13.

Improvements are currently proposed because other sections of the monument are currently not compliant with life safety and accessibility codes. Upgrades to infrastructure,
circulation, and emergency egress within the monument would allow compliance with applicable codes to the maximum extent possible without compromising the historic fabric of the monument.

A Park Ranger leads a group up the internal staircase to Statue of Liberty's Crown © 2010 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

This EA/AoE evaluates two alternatives, the preferred alternative and the no action alternative, and also describes alternatives that have been considered but dismissed. The proposed actions involve both the renovation of existing elements and the construction of new features to improve firesafety, accessibility, and circulation within the structure. The proposed actions include the removal of and replacement of existing stairs andelevators as well as upgrades to the fire safety, ventilation, and lighting systems.

The proposed actions would be undertaken in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and would limit impacts to historic structures.  A draft Programmatic Agreement has been prepared and is included in the Appendix of the document, that once signed, will enhance consultation with the State Historic PreservationOffice and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and better outline the
process and schedule for the project’s consultation and any required mitigation.

Those who wish to view and comment on the EA/AoE, may do so between Aug. 13 and Sept. 13 either electronically at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/STLI or by mail to the Park Superintendent at Statue of Liberty National Monument, National Park Service, Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004.

Be aware before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in a comment, that the entire comment – including personal
identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. Whileyou can ask in their comments to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the NPS cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

Located on a 12-acre island in New York Harbor, the Statue, Liberty Enlightening the World, was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886,designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennialon July 4, 1986.

For more information about visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum, see our stories:

Statue of Liberty invites visitors to her Crown: Only 240 tickets available each day

Ellis Island Immigration Museum: Where Everyman is Hero

Tags: National Park Service, New York City, Statue of Liberty