Building a dream: construction of the new Ukrainian Museum gets underway

Construction of a new home for The Ukrainian Museum in New York City has begun. The first welcome sign of activity on the designated site at 222 East 6th Street (between Second and Third Avenues in the East Village section of Manhattan) is represented by a recently erected scaffolding. It surrounds the still existing old structure, a former meatpacking warehouse, which is destined to come down shortly to make way for a modern three-story museum facility.

Although not evident from the street, there is plenty of activity inside the old warehouse, according to Andrey Hankevych, chair of the Building Committee on the Board of Trustees. He said that, "The initial demolition, excavation and preparatory work is being done from the inside of the building." He explained that prior to demolition and before the laying of foundation can begin, the existing walls and foundations of the adjoining residential buildings must be supported through the underpinning process. Once that has been accomplished, he went on to say that, "the foundation of our new building will be excavated and poured and then we will proceed with the demolition of the existing structure to make way for the construction of the new building."

Mr. Hankevych said that the work on the building project is on schedule. Weekly meetings between the representatives of the Construction Management firm S. DiGiacomo & Son, the project architect George Sawicki of the firm SawickiTarella Architecture+Design, PC, and representatives of the Museum are held to discuss the status and progress of the building project.

Architect George Sawicki said that he is happy that the construction phase of the project has begun after many years of preparation time. "After all the waiting, after all the planning, we have finally started the last but most important phase of this project. For me, both professionally and personally, this is a most gratifying and welcoming conclusion to a long process, while at the same time, it also brings forth a feeling of optimism and confidence in a project of such great significance to our community. Once completed and opened, I have no doubt that all the work and waiting will have been well justified, and that the Ukrainian Museum will offer future generations of Ukrainian Americans a fitting testament to their heritage, and a tangible symbol of their identity."

The new building, which will have a 75 sq. ft. frontage and offer 25,000 sq. ft. of space, will be constructed at a cost of $7.6 million. The Ukrainian Museum, which has been in operation at its present location, 203 Second Avenue, for 25 years, has been conducting a capital fundraising campaign for more than a decade in support of this project. The Museum has experienced growth and expansion in recent years in all aspects of its operations. The new building will satisfy the needs and requirements of the Museum by providing large exhibition galleries, proper storage for its collections, as spacious facilities to conduct its programs.

Olha Hnateyko, president of the Board of Trustees explained that intensive fundraising continues and will continue to provide funding for the following: completion of the building project without the need for outside financing; furnishing the new museum facility; bringing the new building to a full operational state (expanding the professional staff); organizing and mounting representative exhibitions for the grand opening. She said that the Ukrainian community in the United States and Canada has been extremely generous and because of this support the new building project is being realized.

Fundraising is also focused on the financial future of the institution, she explained. It is important to strive now to build a strong financial foundation, so that the Museum can function effectively in the years to come. This financial security will be dependent on the future growth of the Museum's endowment program. Toward this end the Museum is looking to substantially raise its endowment funds base within the next five years. The Board of Trustees hopes that the Ukrainian community will continue to generously support this program, thereby guaranteeing the financial security of The Ukrainian Museum.

To support the building project and help build a strong financial future for The Ukrainian Museum, please send your donations to:
The Ukrainian Museum
203 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10003

For further information: phone: (212) 228-0110; fax: (212) 228-1947; e-mail: info@ukrainianmuseum.org. Please visit the Museum's web page for additional information: www.ukrainianmuseum.org.