Construction begins of new Ukrainian Museum building (02/03/02)

Construction begins of new Ukrainian Museum building

by Marta Baczynsky

NEW YORK - Construction of a new home for The Ukrainian Museum in New York City has begun. The first sign of activity on the designated site at 222 E. Sixth St., between Second and Third avenues in the East Village section of Manhattan, is recently erected scaffolding that surrounds the existing structure, a former meatpacking warehouse. That building is destined to come down shortly to make way for a modern three-story museum facility.

Although not evident from the street, there is plenty of activity inside the old warehouse, according to Andrey Hankevych, chair of the Building Committee on the museum's board of trustees. "The initial demolition, excavation and preparatory work is being done from the inside of the building," he noted. He explained that prior to demolition and before the laying of the foundation can begin, the existing walls and foundations of the adjoining residential buildings must be supported through the underpinning process.

Once that has been accomplished, he went on to say that, "the foundation of our new building will be excavated and poured, and then we will proceed with the demolition of the existing structure to make way for the construction of the new building."

Mr. Hankevych said work on the building project is on schedule. Weekly meetings between the representatives of the construction management firm, S. DiGiacomo & Son, the project architect, George Sawicki of the firm SawickiTarella Architecture+Design PC, and representatives of the museum are held to discuss the status and progress of the building project.

Mr. Sawicki said he is happy that the construction phase of the project has begun after many years of preparation. "After all the waiting, after all the planning, we have finally started the last but most important phase of this project. For me, both professionally and personally," he explained, "this is a most gratifying and welcoming conclusion to a long process, while at the same time, it also brings forth a feeling of optimism and confidence in a project of such great significance to our community."

"Once completed and opened, I have no doubt that all the work and waiting will have been well justified, and that The Ukrainian Museum will offer future generations of Ukrainian Americans a fitting testament to their heritage, and a tangible symbol of their identity," added Mr. Sawicki.

The new building, which will have 75 square feet of frontage and offer 25,000 square feet of space, will be constructed at a cost of $7.6 million. The Ukrainian Museum, which has been in operation at its present location, 203 Second Ave., for 25 years, has been conducting a capital fund-raising campaign for more than a decade in support of this project. The museum has experienced growth and expansion in recent years in all aspects of its operations. The new building will satisfy the needs and requirements of the museum by providing large exhibition galleries, proper storage for its collections, and spacious facilities to conduct its programs.

Olha Hnateyko, president of the board of trustees, explained that intensive fund-raising continues and will continue to provide funding for the following: completion of the building project without the need for outside financing; furnishing the new museum facility; bringing the new building to a full operational state (expanding the professional staff); organizing and mounting representative exhibitions for the grand opening.

She emphasized that the Ukrainian community in the United States and Canada has been extremely generous and because of this support the new building project is being realized.

Fund-raising is also focused on the financial future of the institution, she explained. It is important to strive now to build a strong financial foundation, so that the museum can function effectively in the years to come. This financial security will be dependent on the future growth of the museum's endowment program. Toward this end the museum is looking to substantially raise its endowment funds base within the next five years. The board of trustees hopes that the Ukrainian community will continue to generously support this program, thereby guaranteeing the financial security of The Ukrainian Museum.

To support the building project and help build a strong financial future for The Ukrainian Museum, donations may be sent to: The Ukrainian Museum 203 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003. For further information: phone (212) 228-0110; fax (212) 228-1947; e-mail [email protected] or visit the museum's webpage at www.ukrainianmuseum.org.

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