Times Square Visitors Center opens at the Embassy Theatre.Gretchen Dykstra Gretchen Dykstra is the previous President and CEO of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation. The former Commissioner of New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs, Dykstra left that post in April of 2005 to head up the foundation, which is entrusted with raising funds for , outgoing president An outgoing president is a president or, generally, other head of state or government when he holds office between the election of his successor and the inauguration by which that successor assumes power. of the Times square Business Improvement District (BID), joined a host of VIPs to officially open the first-ever full-service comprehensive visitors center - the all-new Times square Visitors Center - at the historic Embassy Theatre at 1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th streets on September 1st. Dykstra led the countdown to the historic re-lighting of the antique chandeliers and lights inside the landmark 1925 Embassy Theatre, showcasing for the first time the results of the $1 million renovation which restored the architectural treasure and transformed it into a modern visitors center. The new Times square Visitors Center will offer both New Yorkers and visitors easy access to a wide variety of services. The Times square BID will administer the Center, and will provide citywide visitor information by multi-lingual-tourist counselors and brochures. Licensees will provide the following services: ATMs, Broadway tickets, sightseeing tours, MetroCards, international and regional newspapers, Internet access See how to access the Internet. , a video history of Times square, official NYC NYC abbr. New York City NYC New York City gifts, currency exchange, and more. "This project is almost too good to be true. The new Times square Visitors Center is in the perfect location, in a beautiful space, with superb partners. It will be open all day, everyday," said Dykstra. "It is unique in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. and, we think, in the nation. The restoration of the historic Embassy Theatre and its transformation into the new Times square Visitors Center is the perfect example of building the new Times square on the roots of the old." The Times square BID has licensing arrangements with each of the participating organizations. In addition to a one-time capital construction fee to finance the $1.1 million renovation, licensees will also pay a monthly fee to the non-profit Times square BID to support the operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales of the Visitors Center. The Center is a self-supporting, non-profit-making venture. The 6,000-square-foot Times square Visitors Center will feature the following services: * Fleet Bank: Four ATMs; * Broadway Ticket Center: Full-priced tickets for Broadway shows, operated by the League of American Theatres and Producers The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., created in 1930, is the official trade association for the commercial theatre industry. The League’s 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in 240 + North American : * Gray Line/Circle Line: Sales office for sightseeing bus, boat and walking tours, and tickets to popular attractions; * Metropolitan Transportation Authority: Sales booth Noun 1. sales booth - a booth where articles are displayed for sale stall, stand booth - a small shop at a fair; for selling goods or entertainment coffee stall - a stand (usually movable) selling hot coffee and food (especially at night) for MetroCards and transit memorabilia; * Panasonic: Video wall exhibit featuring the history of Times square and a simulated New Year's Eve ball drop narrated by Mayor Giuliani and Dick Clark
Richard Wagstaff "Dick" Clark (born November 30, 1929) is an Emmy Award-winning American television, radio personality, game show host and businessman, he served as , along with updates on new Panasonic technology; * Hotaling's Worldwide News: Newsstand offering regional and international newspapers; * CityStore: Sales booth for official New York City items, many bearing the City seal or City agency logos; * Yahoo!: Six free Yahoo! Internet Surfing Stations and e-postcards. * Self Change: Currency exchange machine. The Visitors Center will also include attended, handicapped-accessible restrooms. Architect Ronette Riley and her team designed the space to preserve and enhance the historic beauty of the theatre, while transforming it into an accessible, functional information center for the 21st Century. Under the direction of Frank Sciame, F.J. Sciame Construction Co. carried out the renovations as general contractor A general contractor is an organization or individual that contracts with another organization or individual (the owner) for the construction of a building, road or any other execution of work or facility. for the project, managing the construction and providing pro bono Short for pro bono publico [Latin, For the public good]. The designation given to the free legal work done by an attorney for indigent clients and religious, charitable, and other nonprofit entities. technical consultation. Ensign Engineering oversaw the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering for the project. Built in 1925 as an opulent movie house, the Embassy Theatre made history as the first theater in the United States to show newsreels. The elegant theater, designed by architect Thomas Lamb, is decorated with floral reliefs throughout, blonde wood paneling in the inner lobby, marble accents and two recently-restored murals painted by artist Arthur Crisp. In addition, an ornate domed rondel ron·del n. 1. A poem similar to a rondeau, having 13 or 14 lines with two rhymes throughout. The first and second lines reappear in the middle and at the end, although sometimes only the first line appears at the end. 2. light fixture, crystal Rambusch ceiling lights, elaborate column sconces and antique chandeliers were also restored to their original beauty. The BID commissioned artist Jessica Daryl Winer to paint a mural for the site of the original movie screen. Entitled "Curtain Call" and sponsored by Entertainment Weekly, the 34 x 14 foot installation depicts the artist's interpretation of 200 Broadway legends - including actors, playwrights, composers and producers - "taking a bow" in a theatrical setting. Since opening its first Visitors Center in 1992, the Times square BID has served more than 900,000 people at its Visitors Centers at four different sites - the Rialto Rialto, city (1990 pop. 72,388), San Bernardino co., S Calif., a residential suburb of San Bernardino; inc. 1911. The city has greatly expanded as a result of the economic and demographic growth of the southern California area. Theatre, the Harris Theatre, the Selwyn Theatre, and most recently the Candler Building. The BID's 40 public safety officers and 50 sanitation workers will be trained to direct tourists to the new Visitors Center. In addition to a variety of other marketing efforts, the Center will be promoted on the giant NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. Astrovision screen by Panasonic 10 minutes each day. Since its creation six years ago, the Times square BID has worked aggressively to make the neighborhood cleaner, safer and friendlier for all who visit, live and work in Times square. Supported by the area's 404 property owners, the BID provides a full range of supplemental services, promotion for the area, advocacy for the interests of the local businesses, information to enhance economic development and public improvements. |
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