Queens truck driver goes viral after spending 21 years creating mini replica of New York City
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Truck driver Joe Macken has spent 21 years creating a 3-D miniature replica of New York City made entirely out of Balsa wood.
The model features almost a million buildings, all five boroughs and even parts of Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey.
After posting sections of his model on TikTok (@balsastyrofoam300), Macken's videos went viral.
He now plans to take the model on the road.
"People are really enjoying it and it's like I'm in another world right now," said Macken. "I can't imagine what they're going to say when they see it live."
The Queens native said when he moved out to the suburbs in 2004, he began carving the ginormous wooden model of the New York City metropolitan area.
Macken was inspired to begin this journey after a first-grade field-trip to the Queens Museum where The Panorama was displayed.
He said he plans to add parts of Connecticut, Long Island and New Jersey- especially the Meadowlands where his favorite team, the New York Jets, play.
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