Ice Tower Fails to Complete - Further Update (6/25/07)
"The Ice Tower Fails to Complete - Further Update (6/25/07)"
Hello everyone, we appreciate the continued interest in the Ice Tower project. Below are four additional facts about our progress, as well as a quote from one of last week's emails that were not included in our blog post.
- The contractor is currently assessing the original building site and will provide an update on Wednesday.
- We have ordered a variety of specialized equipment, including drilling rigs and de-icing equipment which are scheduled to be delivered this week.
- We are working with the architect and contractor to identify, modify, and/or add to the Ice Tower plans based on their experience with the site.
- Although a new location has not been found, we are currently having discussions with several local business owners who have expressed interest in hosting the Ice Tower. We will provide an update via email when a new site has been confirmed. Thank you for your continued patience!
Thanks everyone,
The New Yorker Hotel Ice Tower Team
(6/25/07)
...we're talking about ice dams in New York City in June. Well it's July now; I'm pretty sure ice dams happen year round here.
(6/25/07)
Hey everyone, we're in the process of trying to find a new site for Ice Tower. Due to various issues the location has changed and no work can begin until we have a viable location. We will post an update as soon as we know where it will be constructed. Thanks for your patience! ...
Fellow New Yorker, New Jersey's parks and beaches are sweltering this summer: I've been sitting in front of my computer with a cup too hot to touch while I draft this email. Perhaps the Ice Tower should be constructed at the foot of this fire.
(6/25/07)
I was visiting NYC a few weeks ago and went to see the NY-NJ IceTower in action with my son and his girlfriend. I had no idea what it was but my son told me they'd seen it in a movie (can't remember exactly which one) and wanted to know if we could go check it out for themselves. We ended up going to the construction site of a new apartment building at Lincoln center, and were amazed at the size of what I guessed was a few hundred guys/gals working on it. There were ladders everywhere, every which way they could go, and ropes all over the place. It was actually pretty impressive how organized it all looked. I'd love to see pictures!
(6/25/07)
"Hello everyone, we appreciate the continued interest in the Ice Tower project. Below are four additional facts about our progress, as well as a quote from one of last week's emails that were not included in our blog post." ...
If you got all the way to this point, I appreciate your patience. It could be called ironic that we want to protect the environment and yet, there is a lot of plastic being used in constructing Ice Towers. We design these things to last for years and our customers come back each year to get more ice. The Ice Tower was designed to last at least five years before it has to be replaced anyway.
The New Yorker Hotel Ice Tower Team
(6/25/07)
I'd love to see pictures!
(6/25/07)
What? No naked blue women hanging from cables holding lighting units? That's what I came for...
(6/25/07)
"The Ice Tower was made from over 2,000 sheets of plastic and is designed to last for at least five years..." Fans of VersaClimb will be happy to note that this is a near 2000-step climb to the top!
I can't wait to see it, even though I'll have to go in August.
(6/26/07)
Greetings all; please see below for answers to some frequently asked questions.
Q: Please let us know what you are doing about the situation down there? I'm sorry you aren't going through with it, but I'm sure you have a good reason. I'm sure that, as they say here in Canada, "It's not you, it's me."
A: We are working with the architect and contractor to identify, modify and/or add to the Ice Tower plans based on their experience with the site. We are also currently having discussions with several local business owners who have expressed interest in hosting the Ice Tower.
Q: I was wondering if any work has been done at all yet? And will there still be an ice tower this season?
A: There has not been any work done on the Ice Tower since this past winter. We have remained in contact with our contractor and are waiting for them to provide us with an update on their visit to the site. We are getting closer to identifying a new location but we are still not able to move forward with the construction of the Ice Tower.
Q: Will it be a pole or upper-level walkway? It would make sense to have a path for people to walk on top of the tower while looking out at the city and enjoying the view.
A: We will provide an update via email when a new location has been confirmed. Thank you for your continued patience!
Q: What about other cities that may have an ice tower? Perhaps Los Angeles could use theirs in August in LA? You have a long way to go before considering this... sad..
A: We are currently in discussion with architects and engineers to ensure that the Ice Tower meets the highest safety standards. Once we have verified this we will begin the process of selecting a new location for the tower. We understand that this is difficult for our customers and we thank you for your patience.
Q: Is there a webpage that I can go to see more details about when, where, how it's made and all?
A: Yes, you may find all of those details on our website (theIceTower.com). If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact us at info@TheNewYorkerHotel.com
Q: Is it safe?
A: Ice Towers are safe. Safety is our foremost concern when constructing the tower and reducing any chance of injury. When building the tower, the ice is completely safe and the top platform is a completely non-hazardous area as well. The Ice Tower has been tested in every possible way, including by engineers, fire officials, and structural experts.
Q: Can you put up an umbrella on top, so that people can still see New York... under an umbrella?
A: This is a nice thought but unfortunately not possible at this time.
Conclusion
The World's Tallest (or at least, "Most Fun") Ice Tubes
(7/1/07)
The New Yorker Hotel has been informed that a new location for the ice tower has been found and will be constructed this coming season. The New Yorker Ice Tower Team would like to thank everyone who supported this project and kept users updated on its progress throughout the year. It is a shame that such a unique attraction could not be realized, but we have learned great lessons through this experience and will continue working to find creative ways to improve upon what was built in 2005. Patrons who are interested in visiting the New Yorker Ice Tower can contact the hotel at info@thenewyorkerhotel.