A Bridge Can Dazzle and Inspire Us

“Public works” may be a fancy term for infrastructure. The phrase is an umbrella for a myriad of constructed objects meant to serve the public good. These include parks, buildings, dams and, yes, bridges, to name a few. The notion that these public works can also be public art is not a new one, as it is an idea that embodies man’s pursuit of aesthetics in the public realm. Put more simply, our challenge as a people is to make the spaces that we share both functional and beautiful. History might even suggest that in the public interest, planners and builders should be duty-bound to consider the aesthetics of any constructed object that occupies public space. With this idea in mind, we will celebrate the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and those who made the work of art possible, at our upcoming gala at the Ritz-Carlton Westchester on November 18.

Join us as we honor Jamey Barbas, P.E., Project Director, NYS Thruway Authority (pictured right), and the men and women who built the bridge, with special appreciation awards to Marsha Gordon, President & CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, and Andrew P. O’Rourke, Jr., Public Outreach Coordinator for NYS Thruway Authority.  This public work of art lights our way to and from the Hudson Valley. It is utilitarian at the same time as it is elegant. And so we say “Bravo!”