Government leaders and museum officials today formally broke ground for the new plaza and fountains at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Chairman Daniel Brodsky, Director and CEO Thomas P. Campbell, and President Emily K. Rafferty led the indoor and outdoor ceremonies marking symbolically the start of work on the redesigned, four-block-long outdoor plaza that runs in front of the landmark Fifth Avenue facade, from 80th to 84th Streets in Manhattan. (Note: Although construction commenced with excavation in October, the official groundbreaking originally scheduled for November was postponed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.)

Mr. Brodsky announced at today's ceremonies that the new outdoor plaza, which will open to the public in fall 2014, will be named "The David H. Koch Plaza." Mr. Koch, a Museum Trustee, contributed the entire $65 million cost of the project.

“Six million pedestrians walk along these sidewalks every year.  More than 2000 Museum staff and volunteers enter and exit every day.  Thousands more ride by in buses and taxis.  We believe all these constituencies will enjoy the new plaza for generations to come” stated Mr. Brodsky, Chairman of the Museum's Board of Trustees as well as chairman of the Board's Plaza Design Committee, in making the announcement. “It will give the Met a portal outside that is truly worthy of the masterpieces that grace our galleries inside.  We are pleased to offer our acknowledgment and thanks to the generous donor who has made this project possible: our fellow Trustee, David H. Koch.”

Mr. Campbell said: "We are pleased that—following years of beautification and infrastructure improvements within the walls of the Metropolitan Museum—work is now underway to provide an equally magnificent setting outdoors to welcome visitors as they approach our landmark building. The remarkable generosity and philanthropic spirit of David Koch have made this possible, and we salute him today by officially naming the plaza in his honor as 'The David H. Koch Plaza.'"

Commented David H. Koch: "The Metropolitan Museum is one of New York City’s greatest cultural attractions that welcomes millions of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world each year. It is only fitting that the plaza of this world-class museum welcomes its guests with magnificent new fountains, beautiful illumination of the façade, and attractive open space to be enjoyed by all. I am honored to have been asked to help make this possible."