[Dixielandjazz] Louis Armstrong Visitors Centre, Queens, NY

[Bill Haesler]

Dear friends,
The following 'news items' have just been published on the 'e-pops
Newsletter site < www.satchmo.net, >
A pity I am now a retired  Australian architect. This project would have
been a great one to be involved with.
I hope that a genuine jazz-loving architect gets the 'gig'.
Kind regards,
Bill. 

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CUNY Seeks Architect for Visitors Center
08-28-2006 

The City University of New York recently opened a search for an architect to
design a Visitors Center for the Louis Armstrong House Museum (a National
Historic Landmark and a New York City Landmark). The ad is posted in the 28
August issue of the New York State Contract Reporter. It's on-line at
www.nyscr.org. The text of the ad also follows below. If you are interested
in being considered for this project, please follow the instructions in the
ad.  

Louis Armstrong House & Archives Visitor Center
Description: 

The City University of New York is seeking Architectural and Engineering
Services to design, prepare contract documents and perform construction
administration for a new 8500 sq. ft. Visitor¹s Center for the Louis
Armstrong House. The house, located in Corona, has been restored and is
being operated as a historic house museum. The new center will be located
across the street from the house, and will house archives, exhibition,
performance and support service spaces.

Firms who wish to be considered for this project should submit two (2)
copies of: firm brochure, client names and telephone numbers from previous
similar projects, latest SF254 and 255 forms OR SF330 form, EEO Policy
Statements, latest financial statement, list and description of similar
completed projects and proposed project team. Prior project experience with
exhibition / museum design and sustainable design is highly desirable.
Consultant must be licensed to practice in the State of New York. Selection
of firms will be made in accordance with CUNY/DASNY procedures.

Minority Sub-Contracting Goal: 15%

Women Owned Sub-Contracting Goal: 10%

Proposal Due: 9/19/2006 11:00 A.M.

Contract Term: TBD 

Location: Queens College, Louis Armstrong House, 34-47 107th Street Corona,
NY 

Contact: 
Michelle Bent, Assistant Chief of Contracts
Department of Design, Construction and Management
City University of New York (CUNY)
555 West 57th Street
10th Floor 
New York, NY 10019 
212-541-0459 
212-541-0168 FAX 
michelle.bent(at)mail.cuny.edu

Submit To: 
Michelle Bent, Assistant Chief of Contracts
Department of Design, Construction and Management
City University of New York (CUNY)
555 West 57th Street
10th Floor 
New York, NY 10019 
212-541-0459 
212-541-0168 FAX
michelle.bent(at)mail.cuny.edu

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QUEENS COLLEGE RECEIVES FUNDING FROM NEW YORK STATE
FOR LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE MUSEUM VISITORS CENTER

FLUSHING, NY, August 28, 2006 -- The State of New York has awarded Queens
College and the City University of New York $5 million to begin the design
and construction of a Visitors Center for the Louis Armstrong House Museum.

Since its public opening in fall 2003, the Louis Armstrong House Museum, at
34-56 107th Street in Corona, Queens, has become one of New York City¹s most
notable historic house museums.

The proposed Visitors Center will allow the museum to offer a full schedule
of concerts, lectures, exhibitions, community events, and other services and
programs. 

³We are deeply grateful to Senators John Sabini and Serf Maltese,
Assemblyman José Peralta, Assemblyman Jeff Aubry, and all the other elected
officials who worked so hard to acquire this essential funding,² said
Michael Cogswell, Director of the Louis Armstrong House Museum. ³The
Visitors Center promises to provide substantial benefits not only to our
visitors, but to our community.²

The site for the Visitors Center, an empty lot across the street from the
museum, was donated to Queens College in 1998 by the Louis Armstrong
Educational Foundation. Lord Cultural Resources, one of the world¹s top
museum design firms, and Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates have completed
its master plan. The estimated total cost for design and construction is $9
million; Queens College must raise an additional $4 million for the Visitors
Center, which is expected to be completed in 2009. The project will be
administered by CUNY¹s Department of Design, Construction, and Management.

The internationally acclaimed jazz musician Louis ³Satchmo² Armstrong
(1901-1971) and his wife, Lucille, purchased the modest home in 1943 and
lived there for the rest of their lives. In 1986, the Louis Armstrong
Educational Foundation gave the house to the New York City Department of
Cultural Affairs and arranged for Queens College to administer the house
under a long-term license agreement. Today the Louis Armstrong House Museum
is a National Historic Landmark and a New York City landmark visited by
school groups, senior citizen centers, international tourists, professional
musicians, and many others.

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