Note to Correspondents

CAPITAL MASTER PLAN ON REFURBISHING UN HEADQUARTERS

 

The following note was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The United Nations Headquarters complex is in need of major renovation.

-- Regular maintenance cannot keep pace with deterioration.

-- A fire sprinkler system does not exist.

-- Currently, there is a substandard fire protection system.

-- Buildings do not meet New York City building codes.

-- Large quantities of asbestos are present.

-- Headquarters buildings are highly energy inefficient.

New York City and New YorkState, through the United Nations Development Corporation (UNDC), have offered to construct a building on the site of the current Robert Moses Playground, adjacent to the United Nations on First Avenue between 41st and 42nd Streets.

The new building (UNDC-5) was proposed for the dual purpose of providing swing space while staff and meetings were moved out of the Headquarters complex during renovation, and then as consolidation space afterward, so that United Nations offices in other Manhattan locations could be consolidated, thus, improving efficiency and saving on long-term costs.

The United Nations greatly appreciates the continuing support of the Bloomberg and Pataki administrations and their continued provision of real estate assistance to the United Nations.  Before the design and construction begins on UNDC-5, UNDC must receive community, city, and State legislative approval for various aspects of the authorization, and the United Nations must obtain the approval of the General Assembly.

The earliest year UNDC-5 could be ready is 2010.

If the General Assembly authorizes the United Nations to proceed with its renovation plans (during its next session in May 2005), the United Nations will be ready to move its staff out of the Headquarters complex in 2007.

Thus, the United Nations has asked the City and State to assist in looking for alternative swing space in the area.  The City and State representatives have been most supportive and helpful.  In addition, the United Nations has hired a commercial real estate firm to assist in locating viable options.

The United Nations continues to view the proposed UNDC-5 building as the most beneficial option for consolidation space for the future.

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