The New York State Paivilion in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens sits in a state of disrepair. Recently it received a new coat of paint but still gets no love from City Hall. A group hoping to bring attention to the landmark set up a competition to show new uses for the once highlight of the 1964-65 World’s Fair.

Renderings showing new uses for the New York State Pavilion were released as part of the New York State Pavilion Ideas Competition. The competition was started by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and People for the Pavilion, along with support from Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. While full repair of the entire structure would cost in the range of $52 million, the city will so far be footing the bill to repair the observation decks.

The competition Phillip Johnson designed pavilion received over 250 ideas for the site. Ideas were submitted from March 1 to July 1, and are now available to be viewed and voted until July 15. Ideas for new uses include the pavilion becoming new street art space, a botanical structure, an observation deck and even turning it into a gigantic burger.

“When you drive by, especially at night, you see the Queens Museum lit up, you see the Unisphere lit up, and then the pavilion is standing there like an old structure,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, who supports efforts to get the landmark light up, “It deserves so much more respect.”

The proposal that receives the most votes will get $500. A $3000 prize will go the winner selected from a panel of judges which includes architects and engineers.

New renovations being done to the pavilion include electrical, lighting and strucutural work to the observation towers. Last Fall the Tent of Tomorrow received a fresh paint job restoring the red-and-white vertical stripes surrounding it, and the upper portion was coasted with its former yellow paint.

Feature image via Wikipedia