Metropolitan Museum Of Art Shows Off Redesign Of Outdoor Museum Plaza

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The expansive Fifth Avenue plaza outside New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art has a new look.

The museum on Tuesday unveiled the David H. Koch Plaza following a 2-year redesign.

Two fountains near the grand staircase can be programmed for an array of water displays.

There's also new LED lighting, granite paving and seating. New plantings include 106 trees - more than double the previous total.

The plaza runs along four blocks along the entire facade of the museum.

The $65 million project was funded by billionaire and museum trustee David H. Koch.

The museum was founded in 1879 and has 6 million visitors annually.

Director Thomas Campbell says the redesign has created ``a truly welcoming point of entry'' to the museum.

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