By Nicole Breskin and Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo Staff
MEATPACKING DISTRICT — The Whitney Museum's planned expansion into the Meatpacking District has created dissension among the ranks of the museum's board, according to the New York Times.
The museum's planned second location, at the entrance to the High Line at Gansevoort Street, would give the museum much needed room as it has outgrown its iconic Upper East Side building.
But a small number of the Whitney's 40-plus board members, including the chairman emeritus Leonard Lauder, who is also the museum's largest patron, are opposed to the second location because they feel the museum can ill-afford the expense of running two buildings, the Times reported.
Some worry the cost could negatively affect the fate of the Whitney's famous Madison Avenue building, which cannot be sold in the foreseeable future according to a stipulation in a $131 million donation made two years ago by cosmetics billionaire Lauder, the Times reported.
Construction on the 820 Washington Street location could happen as early as May and may coincide with an art exhibition featuring digitally-projected designs on construction fences, as well as the possibility of artwork on tractors and construction materials, sources close to the project who did not want to be named told DNAinfo.
“This artwork will be the museum’s way of telling the community that they’re moving forward," Community Board 2 committee chair David Gruber, who is privy to certain aspects of the plans, told DNAinfo.
“This is part of a big project by a major institution,” he said. “They’re moving slowly but taking action so we know they’re still here.”
Whitney Museum press remained tight-lipped on its plans for the downtown location, but one publicist confirmed “three artists will be exhibiting” at the site, with a timeline for the artwork and construction to be firmed up in the upcoming weeks.
The Meatpacking District falls within the district of Community Board 2, which said on its monthly agenda that there would be a presentation to the board’s Arts & Institutions committee by the Whitney Museum on “proposed exterior art installation” on April 19 at P.S. 41 on West 11th Street.
The $680 million, six-story building, designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, would be more than double the size of the Madison Avenue location, the Times reported.
The museum was originally slated to open by 2011. The Whitney Museum declined to comment on reasons for delay or when the downtown location now plans to open its doors.
