Study: Charleston gets fraction of cruise impact (AP)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A new study suggests that while downtown Charleston must deal with the passengers, traffic and congestion from cruise ships, the city gets only a fraction of the surrounding region’s economic benefit from South Carolina’s year-round cruise industry.

“I would say that based on the overall picture of tourism in Charleston that it is a relatively minor amount,” said Harry Miley, the president of Miley Associates who compiled the report released Wednesday and commissioned by the Historic Charleston Foundation.

Miley said there needs to be additional research on the direct impact of the industry which has already spawned a court case headed to the state Supreme Court.

Last year The National Trust for Historic Preservation put Charleston on what it called “watch status” because of concerns the city’s growing cruise industry could damage the quality of life in the historic city.

In compiling the latest report, researchers examined the cruise industry and looked at other cities but there was no new data specifically collected about Charleston.

An earlier report commissioned by the South Carolina State Ports Authority determined that the cruise industry means about $37 million a year to the three-county Charleston region.

“The impacts on the city of Charleston are a fraction of that $37 million,” Miley’s report said.

The new report, which will be reviewed by the Historic Charleston Foundation, made several recommendations, including that the city levy a fee on cruise tickets to help offset infrastructure and other costs associated with cruises. It also called for “a new economic impact study conducted by an impartial organization with real-time data.”

Last year, the foundation held a forum on the merits of the city’s cruise industry which has been the center of ongoing controversy. It said the new report “provides an objective analysis and perspective on the economic impacts of the cruise industry.”

Carnival Cruise Lines permanently based its 2,056-passenger liner Fantasy here almost two years ago, creating a year-round cruise industry.

Last year, Charleston residents, the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and the Preservation Society of Charleston sued Carnival alleging, among other things, that the company’s vessels are a public nuisance and amount to illegal hotel operations.

The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear that case without it first going to a lower court. The city and the Ports Authority have intervened on the side of the cruise line.

John Crotts of the College of Charleston, one of the researchers on the study commissioned by the Ports Authority, said it gauged the impacts in the Charleston region. He added there is no way that economic models can induce the indirect effect of an industry at a zip code level.

But a second study he did last year showed hundreds of additional hotel rooms are sold and tens of thousands of dollars in additional lodging revenue is generated every time a cruise ship arrives in or leaves Charleston.

“We saw hotels got a sizeable bump, particularly in downtown Charleston,” he said.

Crotts said researchers feel a $37 million annual impact from cruises is conservative.

“It’s a number and it’s in the eyes of the beholder,” he said. “Some people may say it’s very large number some people would say it’s a small number but it’s our best assessment.”

Article source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/aptrne/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20120209/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_charleston_cruises

Oscar statues fly from Chicago to Los Angeles (AP)

CHICAGO – Oscar had his own boarding pass — and a major entourage — as he boarded a commercial flight named in his honor from Chicago to Los Angeles on Thursday.

Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, carried Oscar through O’Hare International Airport, much to the astonishment of ticketed passengers who lined up for a chance to be photographed with the golden statuette.

The pilot of the United Airlines flight, “Oscar 1,” allowed Oscar into the cockpit of the 757 before takeoff, calling the statuette his most prestigious “non-human” passenger yet.

“It’s a special treat. We want everyone to enjoy the flight and enjoy the show,” Capt. Mel Mason Jnr. said.

Sherak and other academy officials are personally escorting 42 of the coveted trophies back to academy headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif., from the R.S. Owens foundry in suburban Chicago. Sherak said passengers would have a chance to meet Oscar during the 4 1/2-hour flight — but warned of the potential for disruption.

“We’ll see how the speeches go,” Sherak said. “It could be a seven hour flight.”

The gushing words of thanks began before the golden guy even left the ground, with a trio of flight attendants making acceptance speeches at the airport. One thanked her mom, one thanked Jesus and the other thanked the Transportation Security Administration.

The Oscars will be presented Feb. 26.

Article source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/aptrne/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20120209/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_flying_oscars

UK launches major tourism campaign (AP)

LONDON – Britain’s Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt launched a major campaign on Thursday to attract an extra 4.6 million tourists to the U.K. through advertisements in 14 cities worldwide.

VisitBritain, the main U.K. tourism association, said the goal of the campaign, dubbed “GREAT,” is to maximize the tourism and business potential generated by Britain’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

“We have long recognized that 2012 will present us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a solid tourism legacy,” said VisitBritain’s Chief Executive Sandie Dawe in a statement.

VisitBritain said it hopes the campaign will spur 2.3 billion pounds ($3.6 billion) in tourist spending.

“We are taking the fight for the tourist pound right to our competitors’ doorsteps, with a sales assault on the 14 biggest and most lucrative tourism markets around the world,” Hunt, the culture secretary, said. “Right across the world, there will be no escape from the message that Britain is great.”

The ads will roll out in New York starting Monday and later pop up in 14 cities around the world, including Beijing, Los Angeles, Mumbai and Toronto.

Article source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/aptrne/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20120209/ap_tr_ge/eu_travel_brief_britain_tourism

China, Canada reach deals on oil, uranium and air travel

BEIJING — China and Canada declared Thursday that bilateral relations have reached “a new level” following a series of multibillion-dollar trade and business agreements to ship additional Canadian petroleum, uranium and other products to the Asian superpower.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Chinese leadership said Thursday their new energy and economic co-operation agreements — as well as billions of dollars of private-sector deals — signed by the two countries over the past few days are unprecedented and will only open the door to additional trade and investment.

The two sides are also finalizing details on China loaning a pair of bamboo-munching giant pandas to zoos in Toronto and Calgary for a period of five years each, with more details expected this weekend.

The new trade deals further solidify a “strategic” partnership between the two countries, particularly on natural resources, with China’s top political leaders calling for “more large-scale co-operation” with Canada on oil and gas to feed its seemingly insatiable energy appetite.

Harper announced Thursday, following bilateral meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, that the two partners have struck an agreement that will allow Canadian uranium companies to “substantially increase exports to China” to help the world’s most populous country meet its growing need for nuclear power.

Canada and China have also agreed that a joint complementary economic study being conducted will be completed by May 2012, “after which Canada and China will proceed to exploratory discussions on deepening trade and economic relations.”

China’s political leaders say they’re interested in exploring the feasibility of a full free-trade agreement.

It follows up their announcement Wednesday that negotiations have concluded on a foreign investment protection agreement that’s nearly 20 years in the making, but still faces a legal review and ratification before it becomes law.

“The cumulative impact of these accords truly takes Canada-China relations to a new level,” Harper told corporate leaders from both countries gathered in Beijing for the fifth Canada-China Business Forum.

The prime minister will continue his four-day China trade mission with a stop in Guangzhou on Friday for a keynote speech to another business audience. On Saturday, he’ll head to the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing to visit a panda preservation centre and provide more information on China loaning a pair of giant pandas to zoos in Calgary and Toronto over the course of a decade.

Harper won praise from the Chinese president during their bilateral meeting for his commitment to the Sino-Canadian relationship.

“Mr. prime minister, you put a lot of value on Canada’s relationship with China and are strongly committed to promoting the practical co-operation between our two countries. I appreciate your efforts,” Hu said through a translator. “I believe your visit will go a long way to promote the growth of the strategic partnership between China and Canada.”

The two governments on Thursday also announced an expansion of an air transport agreement they hope will increase the flow of people and goods between Canada and China, as well as provide additional flight options and lower fares.

The protocol to ship additional uranium to China is a legally binding agreement that supplements a 1994 pact between both sides for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

It meets Canada’s nuclear non-proliferation policies and obligations, the federal government said, and “will ensure that Canadian supplied uranium is being used in China’s nuclear program strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.”

The prime minister also announced during his speech to the business forum that more than 20 commercial agreements — valued at close to $3 billion and involving nearly 50 Canadian and Chinese companies — have been signed during the trade mission to the Middle Kingdom.

“Canada has the resources, technological sophistication, and geo-strategic positioning to complement China’s economic growth strategy. And China’s growth, in turn, complements our determination to diversify our export markets,” Harper told corporate leaders.

“We expect to see similar success stories in Canadian energy exports to China, once infrastructure is in place.”

Harper has said building pipelines to the West Coast — such as the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline and a separate one for liquefied natural gas — is a national priority as Canada looks to ship its vast resources to Asia.

Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel said the commitment by the Chinese and Canadian governments for a strategic energy partnership will allow Canada to diversify its oil-and-gas export markets beyond the United States and enable China to broaden its supply base.

“The potential is huge,” said Daniel, who has joined Harper in China for the trade mission. “The most important thing is a greater commitment from the Canadian government to broaden out markets for Canadian energy.”

Some of the major trade deals signed Thursday feature Canadian corporate titans, such as commuter train manufacturer Bombardier, which has won contracts to supply rail cars and other technological expertise to Chinese public transit systems.

Telus and Bell, two of Canada’s telecommunications giants, signed deals to upgrade their networks with equipment purchased from a major Chinese manufacturer.

Also, Canaccord Financial and the Export-Import Bank of China announced their plans to establish a $1-billion U.S. fund dedicated to investing in Canadian natural resources.

A separate deal was signed that will make it easier for Cameco Corp. and other uranium producers to sell nuclear fuel into the China’s fast-growing market for atomic power.

Peter Kruyt, chairman of the Canada China Business Council, argued the large number of corporate deals struck in Beijing happened because of the prime minister’s trade mission.

“He makes a huge difference. It’s probably not the case in other countries trying to do business with Canada,” Kruyt told reporters. “But in China, if the leadership has a relationship at the top levels, it trickles down.”

Certainly, China is looking for more oil and gas from Canada, with Chinese vice-premier Li saying Thursday his country wants to increase imports of energy and natural resources from Canada.

State-owned Chinese oil and gas firms have invested more than $10 billion into Alberta’s oilsands and B.C. shale gas plays over the past couple of years alone, and the two partners expect the trend will continue.

OPTIONAL TRIM

“Canada is one of the countries with a deep energy and resource reserve. China, meanwhile, is a large and stable market,” Li, through a translator, told the business forum. He called for “more large-scale co-operation” on petroleum and minerals.

“Never before has Canada-China business co-operation been so deep-based and wide ranging,” Li added.

The Chinese leadership is also pushing for the early signing and ratification of the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), with Premier Wen Jiabao encouraging the two sides to further explore the feasibility of a full free-trade agreement.

While the FIPA could be ratified within months, it has taken 18 years to conclude negotiations, so it doesn’t appear a full free-trade deal is anywhere on the horizon.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here,” International Trade Minister Ed Fast, who’s in China with Harper, said when asked about Chinese calls to explore a possible free-trade agreement.

nstechyson@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/jasonfekete

Article source: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/China+Canada+reach+deals+uranium+travel/6125940/story.html

US State Department warning maps out unsafe areas of Mexico

The U.S. State Department issued a new state-by-state warning for travelers to Mexico that details the more violent areas of the country but also points out popular places such as Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City where travel advisories aren’t in effect.

The warning announced Wednesday gives specific cities and states, with a map of the country, where gun battles and drug trafficking violence are likely to occur. Mexican tourism has been under a cloud for the last six years since gruesome killings related to drug cartels scared off visitors to many parts of the country.

Here are some of the areas cited in the warning (and here’s the entire State Department announcement):

–There are no advisories in effect for Cabo San Lucas in southern Baja; Mexico City; San Miguel de Allende and Leon in southern Mexico; Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum in Quintana Roo; the state of Oaxaca; and Merida and Chichen Itza in the Yucatan.

–Americans should “exercise caution,” particularly at night, in Tijuana, where 34 U.S. citizens were killed in 2011, likely related to drug trafficking; the city of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon; and Mazatlan, a popular stop for cruise ships.

–U.S. residents should avoid traveling to the states of Chihuahua, Durango, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, parts of Sonora, Zacatecas and others. 

The warning, citing figures provided by the Mexican government, says 47,515 people were killed in drug-related violence in Mexico from Dec. 1, 2006, to Sept. 30, 2011.

The warning supersedes a prior one issued April 22.

Article source: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-mexico-warning-20120209,0,4535888.story

A cruise with an NFL theme? Yup, Shula and Csonka are on board

For football fans, it’s a cruise dream come true: NFL greats including former coaches Don Shula and Dick Vermeil, past Super Bowl MVP Larry Csonka and NFL referee Jim Tunney will set sail in May on a Crystal Cruises journey from New York to Dover, England. 

During the 16-day New World to Norway cruise, each sports figure will host an individual presentation and talk about their football years, then team up for a sports-themed panel discussion and QA with passengers. The cruise starts in New York and stops in U.S. and Canadian ports — Newport, R.I.; Boston; St. John’s, Newfoundland — before heading to ports of call in Iceland, Denmark and Norway and ending in England. 

Date: The cruise leaves New York City on May 8 and arrives in Dover on May 24.

Price: Cabin prices start at $5,055 a person, based on double occupancy, for reservations made by Feb. 28. (Crystal Cruises wouldn’t reveal the cost after that date, saying only that travelers who book early receive the best fares.)  It includes the cruise, meals, wine and spirits plus open-bar service throughout the ship, gratuities, the featured sports sessions plus other entertainment and classes aboard ship and more. International airfare is extra.

Info: Crystal Cruises, (888) 722-0021 or contact a travel agent

 

Article source: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-tc-football-legends-crystal-cruises-20120208,1,7263984.story

China, Canada reach deals on oil, uranium and air travel

BEIJING — China and Canada declared Thursday that bilateral relations have reached “a new level” following a series of multibillion-dollar trade and business agreements to ship additional Canadian petroleum, uranium and other products to the Asian superpower.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Chinese leadership said Thursday the economic co-operation agreements — and billions of dollars in new private-sector deals — signed by the two countries over the past few days are unprecedented and will open the door to additional trade and investment.

The new deals further solidify a “strategic” partnership between the countries, particularly in terms of natural resources, with China’s top political leaders calling for “more large-scale co-operation” with Canada on oil and gas to feed China’s seemingly insatiable energy appetite.

Harper announced Thursday, following meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, that the countries have struck an agreement that will allow Canadian uranium companies to “substantially increase exports to China.”

The new uranium protocol is a legally binding agreement that supplements a 1994 pact between Canada and China for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The agreement to ship additional uranium to China meets Canada’s nuclear non-proliferation policies and obligations, the federal government said, and “will ensure that Canadian supplied uranium is being used in China’s nuclear program strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.”

China’s political leaders, meanwhile, say they’re interested in exploring the feasibility of a full free-trade agreement.

The two countries have agreed that a joint economic study being conducted will be completed by May 2012, “after which Canada and China will proceed to exploratory discussions on deepening trade and economic relations.”

That news follows up their announcement Wednesday that negotiations have concluded on a foreign-investment-protection agreement nearly 20 years in the making, but which still faces a legal review and ratification before it becomes law.

“The cumulative impact of these accords truly takes Canada-China relations to a new level,” Harper told corporate leaders from both countries gathered in Beijing for the fifth Canada-China Business Forum.

The prime minister will continue his four-day China trade mission with a stop in Guangzhou on Friday for a keynote speech to another business audience.

On Saturday, he’ll head to the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, where he’ll provide more details on China preparing to loan a pair of giant pandas to zoos in Calgary and Toronto for a period of five years each.

The two governments on Thursday also announced an expansion of an air-transport agreement they hope will help increase the flow of people and goods between Canada and China, while also providing additional flight options and lower fares.

Harper also announced during his speech to the business forum that more than 20 commercial agreements — valued at close to $3 billion and involving nearly 50 Canadian and Chinese companies — have been signed during the trade mission to the Middle Kingdom.

“Canada has the resources, technological sophistication, and geo-strategic positioning to complement China’s economic growth strategy. And China’s growth, in turn, complements our determination to diversify our export markets,” Harper told corporate leaders.

“We expect to see similar success stories in Canadian energy exports to China, once infrastructure is in place.”

Harper has said building pipelines to the West Coast — such as the proposed Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline and a separate one for liquefied natural gas — is a national priority as Canada looks to ship its vast resources to Asia.

Some of the major trade deals signed Thursday feature Canadian corporate titans, such as commuter train manufacturer Bombardier Inc., which has won contracts to supply rail cars and other technological expertise to Chinese public transit systems.

Telus and Bell, two of Canada’s telecommunications giants, signed deals to upgrade their networks with equipment purchased from a major Chinese manufacturer.

Also, Canaccord Financial and the Export-Import Bank of China announced their plans to establish a $1-billion U.S. fund dedicated to investing in Canadian natural resources.

China is looking for more oil and gas from Canada, with Chinese Vice-Premier Li saying Thursday his country wants to increase imports of energy and natural resources from Canada.

State-owned Chinese oil and gas firms have invested more than $10 billion into Alberta’s oilsands and B.C. shale gas plays over the past couple of years alone, and the two partners expect the trend will continue.

“Canada is one of the countries with a deep energy and resource reserve. China, meanwhile, is a large and stable market,” Li, through a translator, told the business forum. He called for “more large-scale co-operation” on petroleum and minerals.

“Never before has Canada-China business co-operation been so deep-based and wide ranging,” Li added.

The Chinese leadership is also pushing for the early signing and ratification of the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), with Premier Wen Jiabao encouraging the two sides to further explore the feasibility of a full free-trade agreement.

While the FIPA could be ratified within months, it has taken 18 years to conclude negotiations, and observers have expressed doubt that a full free-trade deal is anywhere on the horizon.

jfekete@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/jasonfekete

Article source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/China+Canada+reach+deals+uranium+travel/6125940/story.html

Harper finalizes oil, uranium and air travel deals with China

BEIJING — China and Canada declared Thursday that bilateral relations have reached “a new level” following a series of multibillion-dollar trade and business agreements to ship additional Canadian petroleum, uranium and other products to the Asian superpower.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Chinese leadership said Thursday the economic co-operation agreements — and billions of dollars in new private-sector deals — signed by the two countries over the past few days are unprecedented and will open the door to additional trade and investment.

The new deals further solidify a “strategic” partnership between the countries, particularly in terms of natural resources, with China’s top political leaders calling for “more large-scale co-operation” with Canada on oil and gas to feed China’s seemingly insatiable energy appetite.

Harper announced Thursday, following meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, that the countries have struck an agreement that will allow Canadian uranium companies to “substantially increase exports to China.”

The new uranium protocol is a legally binding agreement that supplements a 1994 pact between Canada and China for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The agreement to ship additional uranium to China meets Canada’s nuclear non-proliferation policies and obligations, the federal government said, and “will ensure that Canadian supplied uranium is being used in China’s nuclear program strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.”

China’s political leaders, meanwhile, say they’re interested in exploring the feasibility of a full free-trade agreement.

The two countries have agreed that a joint economic study being conducted will be completed by May 2012, “after which Canada and China will proceed to exploratory discussions on deepening trade and economic relations.”

That news follows up their announcement Wednesday that negotiations have concluded on a foreign-investment-protection agreement nearly 20 years in the making, but which still faces a legal review and ratification before it becomes law.

“The cumulative impact of these accords truly takes Canada-China relations to a new level,” Harper told corporate leaders from both countries gathered in Beijing for the fifth Canada-China Business Forum.

The prime minister will continue his four-day China trade mission with a stop in Guangzhou on Friday for a keynote speech to another business audience.

On Saturday, he’ll head to the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, where he’ll provide more details on China preparing to loan a pair of giant pandas to zoos in Calgary and Toronto for a period of five years each.

The two governments on Thursday also announced an expansion of an air-transport agreement they hope will help increase the flow of people and goods between Canada and China, while also providing additional flight options and lower fares.

Harper also announced during his speech to the business forum that more than 20 commercial agreements — valued at close to $3 billion and involving nearly 50 Canadian and Chinese companies — have been signed during the trade mission to the Middle Kingdom.

“Canada has the resources, technological sophistication, and geo-strategic positioning to complement China’s economic growth strategy. And China’s growth, in turn, complements our determination to diversify our export markets,” Harper told corporate leaders.

“We expect to see similar success stories in Canadian energy exports to China, once infrastructure is in place.”

Harper has said building pipelines to the West Coast — such as the proposed Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline and a separate one for liquefied natural gas — is a national priority as Canada looks to ship its vast resources to Asia.

Some of the major trade deals signed Thursday feature Canadian corporate titans, such as commuter train manufacturer Bombardier Inc., which has won contracts to supply rail cars and other technological expertise to Chinese public transit systems.

Telus and Bell, two of Canada’s telecommunications giants, signed deals to upgrade their networks with equipment purchased from a major Chinese manufacturer.

Also, Canaccord Financial and the Export-Import Bank of China announced their plans to establish a $1-billion U.S. fund dedicated to investing in Canadian natural resources.

China is looking for more oil and gas from Canada, with Chinese Vice-Premier Li saying Thursday his country wants to increase imports of energy and natural resources from Canada.

State-owned Chinese oil and gas firms have invested more than $10 billion into Alberta’s oilsands and B.C. shale gas plays over the past couple of years alone, and the two partners expect the trend will continue.

“Canada is one of the countries with a deep energy and resource reserve. China, meanwhile, is a large and stable market,” Li, through a translator, told the business forum. He called for “more large-scale co-operation” on petroleum and minerals.

“Never before has Canada-China business co-operation been so deep-based and wide ranging,” Li added.

The Chinese leadership is also pushing for the early signing and ratification of the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), with Premier Wen Jiabao encouraging the two sides to further explore the feasibility of a full free-trade agreement.

While the FIPA could be ratified within months, it has taken 18 years to conclude negotiations, and observers have expressed doubt that a full free-trade deal is anywhere on the horizon.

jfekete@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/jasonfekete

Article source: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Harper+finalizes+uranium+travel+deals+with+China/6126151/story.html

8 properties added to NH historic places (AP)

CONCORD, N.H. – A ski resort, two cemeteries and a university dormitory are among the properties being added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places.

Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, which started in 1935 as the Belknap Mountains Recreation Area, was the largest Works Progress Administration project in the state.

The High Street Cemetery in Benton and Seabrook’s Methodist Cemetery are on the list. Both chronicle the lives of early settlers who created the communities. Plymouth State University’s Mary Lyon Hall was built as a dormitory in 1915 when the institution was known as Plymouth Normal School.

Also on the list are the W.F. Palmer Place in Sandwich, a farm and general store; and three properties within the Enfield Village Historic District. Its buildings date back to 1800.

Article source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/aptrne/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20120208/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_nh_historic_places

NYC Met Museum plans plaza, fountain renovation (AP)

NEW YORK – New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced plans to redesign its Fifth Avenue plaza.

The renovation calls for new fountains which will be repositioned closer to the museum’s entrance.

The four-block-long outdoor plaza will get new shade trees and seasonal plantings.

Permanent and temporary seating areas and energy-efficient and diffused nighttime lighting will be added.

The existing pavement along the façade will be removed and replaced with granite paving.

The museum says the project will be funded by the museum’s trustees and philanthropist David H. Koch.

Last month, the Met opened its new and expanded American Wing for paintings, sculpture and decorative arts after a four-year renovation.

___

Online:

Met Museum: http://www.metmuseum.org

Article source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/aptrne/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20120208/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_museum_plaza_renovations

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