EAST VILLAGE — After pledging a Wednesday comeback for Astor Place's beloved three-dimensional Alamo cube, the city has once again delayed its return, this time until an unknown date and due to "unforeseen logistical issues," according to the Department of Design and Construction.
The department on Tuesday disseminated flyers notifying community members that the cube would be reinstalled the following day, as reported by EV Grieve, and the Village Alliance took to Twitter Wednesday morning to celebrate the long-anticipated return.
Today is THE day....today is the day we unwrap.... pic.twitter.com/pqp8Vz9Tq2
— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) September 14, 2016
But hours later, the Alliance took back the announcement, stating the return had been delayed due to "logistical issues," which the Department of Design and Construction later confirmed.
"Due to unforeseen logistical issues the scheduled return of the Alamo has been postponed," said DDC spokeswoman Shavone Williams.
DDC reps were unable to elaborate on the reasons behind the delay or speak to an estimated return date.
The cube, which was removed in 2014 to make room for an extensive revamp of the plaza, had initially been slated for a June return, but the installation was put off until August. A Parks Department rep at the time stated the cube had to be inspected by a conservator before its reinstallation.
But August came and went, and the cube was nowhere to be seen. Its conspicuous absence did not go unnoticed.
WHERE THE F IS THE ASTOR PLACE CUBE????!!!???!!?? 🔪🔪🔪🔪 #BRINGBACKCUBE #BRINGBACKCUBE #BRINGBACKCUBE #BRINGBACKCUBE
— Monet Julia Sabel (@monetsabel) August 15, 2016
um excuse me where is the Astor place cube
— Annie Dineen (@anniedineen) August 31, 2016
Is the Astor Place cube every coming back? pic.twitter.com/1mPfLAhwWA
— Mattan Griffel (@mattangriffel) September 4, 2016
The cube's Wednesday return would have ensured its presence at tomorrow's kick-off of the Village Alliance's Astor Alive! Festival celebrating the new and improved plaza. Given the latest delay, however, DDC reps were unable to confirm whether the cube would be returning this month.
