FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2001

RENOWN ARCHITECTS PHILP JOHNSON AND ALAN RITCHIE ENDORSE WORLD'S FAIR PAVILION PROPOSAL Wish to Preserve their Famous Modern New York State Pavilion for Future Generations

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Plans to convert the New York State Pavilion, the decaying 1964-65 World's Fair building at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, into a world-class "Air & Space Museum" won the support of the structure's original designer and architect today. Philip Johnson, who was commissioned in 1962 by then New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller to build the "Tent of Tomorrow," the elliptical 350 foot by 250 foot pavilion that housed the state of New York's exhibits at the Fair, has come forth to say he supports the idea. The aviation museum concept is the brainchild of aviation consultant Dr. Charles Aybar and Manhattan architect Frankie Campione of CREATE Architecture Planning and Design. The building has been vacant for over 35 years with little or no maintenance done to it since the mid-seventies. Campione and Aybar brought forth their idea after realizing that the deplorable condition of the structure would ultimately result in its demolition if steps were not taken to preserve it and make it functional once again. Alan Ritchie, Mr. Johnson's business partner, agrees with the museum concept, "Mr. Johnson and I were delighted to hear that [the] proposal for the stabilization and adaptive reuse of the New York State Pavilion has been receiving favorable responses from the Parks Department and Queens Borough President. We would like to confirm our enthusiasm and endorsement of the scheme and welcome the thought that the State Pavilion designed by our office will be preserved for future generations." Ritchie further states in a letter to Campione "We hope you will look to us to work with you on this project and assure you of our continued support." Presently, the pavilion is in need of the stabilization of its foundation, something that the Borough President's Office and Park's Department are taking steps to address. Additional information on the project can be found on-line at www.nywf64.com.