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Aerial view from Amsterdam Avenue looking east; visible is a new streetscape, gardens, and theater. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.<\/p>\n
Free Upper West Side News, Delivered To Your Inbox<\/a><\/p>\n After years of planning, community input and fundraising, the reimagining of Lincoln Center\u2019s western campus is officially moving from renderings to reality.<\/p>\n Temporary fencing is expected to go up on Monday along 62nd Street and the transverse that runs alongside the Koch Theater, marking the start of site preparation for the long-awaited overhaul of Damrosch Park and the Amsterdam Avenue edge of campus. Signage noting that construction work will begin in the coming weeks will also be installed soon. View from within Damrosch Park looking west; visible is new water feature, lawn, and trees. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.<\/p>\n For those who haven\u2019t been following along, here\u2019s the backstory: Lincoln Center first announced this initiative<\/a> back in June 2023, with the goal of \u201cbreaking down barriers, physical and otherwise\u201d between the campus and the surrounding community. The effort is rooted in the complex history of the site itself \u2014 Lincoln Center was built following a controversial 1950s urban renewal project that razed the San Juan Hill neighborhood<\/a>, displacing thousands of Black and brown West Side families.<\/p>\n In March 2024, Lincoln Center<\/a> tapped Hood Design Studio, WEISS\/MANFREDI and Moody Nolan to lead the design work, and last May, the organization unveiled initial renderings<\/a> of what the transformed campus will look like. The centerpiece of the plan is the removal of the wall along Damrosch Park, which will be replaced by a series of open entrances to better connect the campus with its neighbors \u2014 including residents of Amsterdam Houses and Addition, students at LaGuardia High School, and the high schools at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational Complex.<\/p>\n When work at Damrosch is complete (forecasting 2028), the space will open with new entrances along Amsterdam Avenue, gardens with increased biodiversity, 50% more trees than are currently in the park, shaded gathering areas, an interactive water feature and a world-class amphitheater for free performances.<\/p>\n View of amphitheater and audience area during performance looking southeast towards 62nd Street. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.<\/p>\n Entrance to Josie Robertson Plaza. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.<\/p>\n View of plaza area in front of amphitheater, looking northeast towards Josie Robertson Plaza. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.<\/p>\n View of grove within Damrosch Park with shade and seating, looking east. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry<\/p>\n The project carries an estimated price tag of about $335 million. As of last spring, roughly 65% of that funding was in place, with major contributions from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation ($75 million), The Starr Foundation and a $10 million allocation from New York State. The project is being developed alongside NYC Parks and the Department of Transportation. <\/p>\n Before the heavy construction begins, neighbors will get some new public art to look at: a mural by artists Vanessa \u00c1lvarez and Derval Fairweather, created in collaboration with Artbridge and local community members. According to Lincoln Center, the mural emerged from a community-led visioning process, with neighborhood residents directly shaping its themes and imagery. An unveiling is expected soon.<\/p>\n Lincoln Center says it remains grateful to the thousands of New Yorkers who shared their time and insights during the participatory planning process. More information on the project can be found at LincolnCenter.org\/West<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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