Personally, I think they should keep the gates but use a more durable material instead of saffron cloth.
This could be NYC's Eiffel tower.
They exist for the moment and then are gone..
Experiencing the moment is part of the art..
I will agree however, NYC needs a new, majestic symbol to represent the new century..
I propose we bulldoze the UN buildings and build something "artistic and symbolic" there..