By Jacquie Rath
Over time, the memorial fell victim to the bustle of the city surrounding it. In the late 1990s, Maj. Gen. Joseph A. Healey of Rockville Centre championed the cause of renovating the deteriorating and neglected area. Healey eventually formed the Coalition for Father Duffy, a civic organization that is collaborating on the preservation of the square.
Healey worked diligently to secure needed funding from military, Catholic, veteran and Irish organizations to revitalize the square. Although he died last December, Healey's legacy continues on with the work of the coalition.
Healey's son Andrew, of Rockville Centre, has joined the coalition's ranks, and will work on the final planning of Duffy Square reconstruction. "I was always helping my dad behind the scenes," Andrew said. "We would always bounce ideas off each other about fund-raising. I am excited to continue the Healey legacy."
Bruce Meyerson, an information technology executive who served in the 69th Regiment for more than 13 years - many as a company commander under General Healey's command - has accepted a leadership position with the coalition, honoring a request the elder Healey made before he died. "General Healey's dream was that one day New York City would reaffirm its respect for Father Francis Patrick Duffy, a man who calls to mind a quiet heroism that made our country great," said Meyerson. "Joe hoped that this square would once again become a place of respite in the heart of Times Square where Americans could reflect on the meaning of heroism, patriotism and duty. While no one can fill his shoes, I am proud to step in and ensure that Joe's dream becomes a reality."
After more than seven years of hard work, the Coalition for Father Duffy and its partners, the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) and the Times Square Alliance, in cooperation with the City of New York, are close to realizing their goal of a new TKTS booth and a refurbished Duffy Square. With financing and all necessary city approvals in place, construction is expected to begin this summer. "All the parties involved have finally come together," said Andrew Healey. "I know what my father had in mind, and I will ensure that it happens. We need to preserve the statue of this great patriot and never forget our past."
The new Duffy Square will include a new TKTS booth, designed with a dramatic red cascading glass edifice that will serve as a backdrop to the monument, new lighting, and wider pedestrian pathways. John Choi and Tai Ropiha of Australia developed the winning design concept for the new TKTS booth as part of an international design contest sponsored by the TDF and the Van Alen Institute in 1999. The project is moving forward on schedule and within budget due to the dedicated efforts of the project architects, the construction manager and the coalition's efforts.
The renovations are expected to be completed by New Year's Eve 2006.
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