WTC Planning: Cornerstone Moves, Future Visitor Fees

Almost two years ago, the cornerstone at Ground Zero was placed at the World Trade Center site. But now it's been moved to Hauppague, NY! The NY Times reports that the largely symbolic slab of granite was moved in order to accomodate the new designs for the space, as there's been a new Freedom Tower design in the meantime. Developer Silverstein Properties said the cornerstone "needs to be repositioned to make sense in the new building." But don't fear: It will be on display at Innovative Stone where it was made - you need to make an appointment though. Well, at least people will be able to see it (we're trying to find the silver lining, because it's too easy to complain about anything to do with the WTC rebuilding process).

And looking ahead, officials are wondering if an admission fee should be charged for the WTC Memorial museum. The NY State Assembly approved a bill that would prohibit state funding to the WTC Memorial Foundation if there is an admission fee. However, both Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg support the possibility of a fee, with Pataki saying he'll veto the bill and Bloomberg telling his radio show listeners, "I hope the governor vetoes the bill because it's probably true that without being able to charge, we can't build the memorial." And Pataki also stressed that reflection area (where the waterfalls are) would be free. The fee would run about $10-15, but the AP notes that the Holocaust Museum and Vietnam War Memorial Museum are both free. At this point, Gothamist would gladly pay a fee if it definitely went to the maintainance of memorial - not that bureaucracy around it. Would you pay?

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By Jen Chung in News on June 24, 2006 9:56 AM

Comments [rss]

anonymass

Thanks dad. Great altruistic suggestions. Maybe after we stop a war we can all go out for ice cream.

In the meantime, I think I'll stick to criticizing bad decisions by our elected leaders.

interlard

Oh who cares. Just because some dick in a suit decides to stick up a building, a fountain and a flag doesn't mean you all have to go there in order to pay your respects to the 9/11 murder victims.

Close your eyes wherever you are and think about them. Then do something to make the world a better place:

Be nice to a stranger in need, stop a war and save the planet (by not driving so much or turning the AC off when it isn't hot).

Dustin

In oklahoma city our memorial is free, but the museum is not. The proceeds go to upkeep on the memorial site. I have never heard a complaint about this system here. Im sure New Yorkers wont like paying, but the millions that come from out of state will only be putting money into making it better for New Yorkers.

Sounds good to me..

anonymass

Way to turn a buck on a national tragedy. Go Republicans.

I just assumed that Bush's alienation of the rest of the world shortly after 9/11 would go down in our nation's history as the single biggest missed opportunity for goodwill and sympathy.

This little turning of the knife might be worse though, knowing what we now know.

dr. Know

No way, No how.

sure the Mayor can pay, he's a billionaire.

remember his convoluted taxi fare structure during the strike? you were charged PER PASSENGER.

you voted for him and he's showing his true colors.

Just go and review all his press conferences, he basically says, if you don't like it, tough

or, my way or the highway.

Make no mistake.

BDT

Disgusting.

DJM

A fee!!?? Are they kidding? This is 9-11 were talking about here. This was Americas tragedy and we all felt the effects of this. A fee would be telling people that you can only be part of America if you can afford to pay a fee. Bloomberg and Pataki have got to go. They seem to make all the right choices for the wealthy and screw the less well off. Remember he told the people who can't afford to pay the new admission fee for the MoMA "if you can't afford it don't go". Tax payer money helped pay for that new museum!!! While you are keeping a close eye on the republicans and their close ties and preferencial treatment of BIG business the democrats are steeling your cheese. Wait, these are the republicans. Any way, the point is, Iraq is just one thing we should all be outraged about in this country. If fat, rich people keep getting voted in to run shit, than fat, rich people will benefit the most. When was the last time you think Pataki or Bloomberg had trouble meeting their bills? A fee to share in America's grief. What's next, a fee to sing the national antham?