Empire State Plaza: Albany's Modern Monoliths — Podcast #25

The Empire State Plaza's white-and-gray silhouette dominates the skyline of New York's capital city. While the futuristic, stone-and-steel complex looks like it's been there forever, the Plaza has a twisted history covering politics, intrigue, and the Rockefeller Family's one-time dominance over civic and cultural life in New York State. In this episode, former Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz (NDNY, Ret.) and architectural historian Carol H. Krinsky join host Adrian Untermyer to discuss the Empire State Plaza's origin story and legacy. Plus, urbanist Gina Pollara joins us for a special extended edition of "Your Daily Ada Louise." So climb aboard Princess Beatrix's ferry as we travel up the Hudson and learn how Governor Nelson Rockefeller's embarrassment led to demolition, rebirth, and the reshaping of modern Albany.