“Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower” will soon be outfitted with new “anti-climbing” devices designed to thwart anyone (are you listening, Spidey?) from scaling the 262-foot-tall steel edifice.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation says that the safeguards are just a type of fencing that is “relatively unobtrusive” and will not detract from the 170-ton tower’s iconic figure.
“Not like a chain-link [fence], more attractive and designed,” EDC spokesperson Libby Langsdorf told this newspaper.
Last week this paper reported that the Landmarks Preservation Commission had approved permits allowing EDC to affix “anti-climbing” devices directly onto the Parachute Jump.
The city expects there will be a lot more foot traffic around the base of the Parachute Jump when Coney Island’s beloved B&B Carousel finally reappears inside Steeplechase Plaza – possibly for the 2012 season.
The Parachute Jump, moved to its present location between West 16th and West 19th streets after the 1939-40 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, is already enclosed with a fence to keep people out.
In recent years, however, at least one daredevil has successfully managed to scale the tower on more than one occasion and hang a flag on the structure.
The last incident occurred over the summer.
“Right now, the Jump is enclosed by a fence, deterring individuals from vandalizing or climbing it,” Parks Department spokesperson Phil Abramson said. “However, under the redesign for Steeplechase Plaza, the Jump will be in more of a more active, open space area, necessitating the need for such anti-climbing devices.”
City officials also hope to introduce a new lighting system to the Parachute Jump in an effort to “bling it up.”
Borough President Marty Markowitz allocated $1.4 million in capital funding four years ago to design the Parachute Jump’s existing lighting scheme.
The beep has also long harbored hopes of re-activating the Parachute Jump as a thrill ride someday.
It was declared a landmark in 1977 and again in 1989 after questions about its structural integrity were proven unfounded.
In 1991, the tower, originally brought to Coney Island by George C. Tilyou, benefited from a $700,000 restoration project aimed at cleaning and strengthening the structure.
New York City landmarks just seem to attract daredevils. Back in 2006, base jumper Jeb Corliss was busted when he attempted to hurl himself off the Empire State Building’s 86th floor’s observation deck.
