On World's Fair's 50th a new national treasure is born

FLUSHING MEADOWS (WABC) -- The long-neglected New York State Pavilion, one of the last remaining structures from the 1964 World's Fair, finally got some much-needed TLC--and a new designation as a national treasure yesterday.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation made the designation in honor of the World's Fair's 50th anniversary, after a long fight to restore the pavilion to its former glory.

People stood in line for hours in the hopes of getting into the site, which had been closed since 1987. It's badly in need of repair, despite a new paint job in honor of the occassion. Those lucky enough to get in during the three hour period it was open, had to don construction hard hats to protect themselves from possible falling debris.

The trust hopes that they can find sponsors to rehabilitate the site, which is estimated to cost $43 million dollars. Paul Goldenberger, trust board member and Pulitzer prize-winning architectural critic, believes the pavilion can serve a similar function it did back in the sixties: a showcase for performances, concerts and a venue for a wide range of other public events.