CORONA — A group of scientists that has created 3-D digital scans of Mount Rushmore, the Titanic and the Sydney Opera House in a preservation effort is hoping to bring their expertise to the historic but crumbling New York State Pavilion Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation & Training and non-profit CyArk have set up a fundraiser to digitally preserve the pavilion, which was declared a National Treasure at a ceremony in April.
High-speed 3-D laser scanners would be used to record every inch of the crumbling structures, which include the Tent of Tomorrow and the three adjacent towers.
CyArk works with experienced teams to preserve heritage sites around the world, making the information available to everyone and keeping the original data stored in an underground facility in Pennsylvania.
The data will then be made available to the public, for free, and can help in future efforts to restore the structures, according to the organizers.
"Digitally preserving the New York State Pavilion with 3-D laser scanning can create an accurate record to serve as a base data set to aid conservation and future restoration," the group's Kickstarter page said.
The $15,000 goal would help pay for lodging and accommodations for the experts, who have already received permission from the Parks Department for the project, they said.
If funded, they would begin in June. If they receive additional funds, the money will help pay for models to help aid in the preservation, and the development of mobile app, they wrote.
The Parks Department has estimated that fully restoring the pavilion would cost $52 million. Demolishing it would cost $14 million.
The agency confirmed that the group has the permits to pursue the project.
To donate, visit the group's Kickstarter page.
