By Serena Solomon, Trevor Kapp and Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — Police were investigating a suspicious package at the Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
Cops were called to the museum's cafe, located on the ground floor of 1071 Fifth Ave. near East 88th Street, shortly after 12 p.m., NYPD officials said.
It was not immediately clear where the package was located or if it posed any threat, authorities said. Museum-goers were still allowed in and out of the Guggenheim during the investigation.
Staff at the museum's cafe said the eatery was open and safe about four hours later, but declined to comment further on the situation.
Police did not immediately elaborate on the investigation.
"The Guggenheim Museum did receive a suspicious package and contacted the authorities immediately," museum spokeswoman Samantha Weiss said in an email. "The police are currently investigating."
On Monday, police said they responded to a report of an envelope containing white powder at the nearby Neue Galerie on Fifth Avenue and East 86th Street that turned out to be harmless.
The incidents come during major art shows in Manhattan this week, including the Whitney Biennial at the museum on Madison Avenue and East 75th Street, and Armory Arts Week, which kicks off Tuesday with a gala preview at the Park Avenue Armory at East 67th Street.
Authorities also investigated a suspicious powder found at a school on East 82nd Street Tuesday morning. A Department of Education spokeswoman said the substance turned out to be non-hazardous.
