Thankfully, when a “chunk” of the Arch fell, or “detached,” last year, it was in the middle of the night and no one was in the park. Immediately, the Arch underwent a full inspection, and, in July of this year, this landmark at Washington Square received even greater scrutiny: it was inspected and cleaned for an entire month, according to the Parks Department.
But I missed the fact, that, at that time, the piece on the northern side of the Arch near the top that had fallen — in conservation and architectural terms, known as a “dentil” — was at last replaced. The city agency didn’t call attention to this in their press release (I suppose it’s an issue they don’t choose to direct attention towards). And I’d checked so many times in the past on its status that I missed this until recently!
Maybe not the biggest news … but I’m always entertained by news and photos of the Arch.
Now – bright white, brand new replacement dentil (fourth in from the right):
Previously at WSP Blog:
Washington (Square) Arch Wraps Up Annual Inspection | And About that “Chunk” That Fell Off the Arch Last Year… August 1, 2013
Washington Square Arch: Exitus Acta Probat April 3, 2008
Photos: Cathryn