New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced that three New York State agencies — Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks), Department of Transportation (DOT), and OGS —  are collaborating in the spirit of the season to deliver a beautiful tree that will light up the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building Plaza in Harlem during the holidays.

 

State Parks is providing the tree from Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca. In an effort to improve and maintain the health of a heavily forested section of the park, the chosen tree had already been slated for removal. The DOT transported the tree approximately 230 miles from the Finger Lakes Region to Upper Manhattan.

 

Although a holiday tree-lighting event will not be held in Harlem this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, OGS will continue its yearly tradition of decorating a tree in front of the Harlem State Office Building and keeping it lit through early January.

 

“Governor Cuomo has made it a priority throughout his administration for State agencies to work in partnership for the public good,” Commissioner Destito said. “Team OGS deeply appreciates the efforts by State Parks and DOT, and we all hope the tree is a welcome addition to the holiday atmosphere that the Harlem community enjoys at this time of year.”

 

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “State Parks is proud to donate this spruce tree to help bring the holiday spirit to Harlem. This spruce was among several stands of spruce and pines planted at Robert H. Treman State Park in the 1990s as part of an acquisition of land for a new main entrance. Harvesting this one tree will have no negative impact on the stand, and such thinning can make a positive contribution to overall forest health.”

 

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Holiday Season is a special time of year when we celebrate the spirit of peace and good will. The Department of Transportation is proud to partner with our colleagues across the state to help deliver this beautiful tree, and we hope it will make the holidays brighter and bring joy to all who behold its beauty.”

 

DOT delivered the tree to the State Office Building on December 1, and OGS is decorating and lighting the tree on December 4.

A video featuring the tree lighting may be viewed here: https://youtu.be/pkbVUl40nww.

The Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building is located at 163 West 125th Street.