The landfill "exhibit" that NYC is doing is a sad shadow of the fascinating Michael Singer waste processing plant in Phoenix. Though I've not seen it, I was initially struck in around 1991 by the reports about the project, talking about how Michael, a conceptual artist and sculptor, was given control over a massive public works project. He led the team that included the architect and engineers, and created one of the most popular tourist attractions in Phoenix (or so I read in a Times article in the early 90's) and a resource for environmental education. All out of a solid waste processing plant, in which visitors can watch the entire process from catwalks. Again, I've not been there, but it sounds like a wonderful project. NY is obviously copping some of the same ideas, but without investing in ways to make this accessible and engaging. They are just apparently opening it to tourists and providing docents, or something. There was some discussion a while back about trying to do something like Michael's project with a major water filtration plant planned for New York. But it got lost in the political shuffle. Getting anything done in public works in this city is pretty tough. Thought, they have finally started "WESTWAY" after twenty years of litigation. It's now called, I think, the Hudson River Boulevard. Eric Siegel [log in to unmask]