Port Authority Ends Deal With Church Destroyed on 9/11

Last year, the Port Authority struck a deal with the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church over the church's land at Ground Zero. The church was destroyed on 9/11 and the Port Authority offered $20 million to the church for the land (it was planning a vehicle security center underground) and $40 million in infrastructure; the church would move a block to a bigger lot. But now the deal is off, because, as the PA claims, the church was demanding more. According to reports, the church wanted to build a basilica that would have been taller than the World Trade Center memorial—plus wanted approval of the security center, the $20 million upfront and another $20 million if the land wasn't turned over by 2011. A church spokesman told the Times they are continuing talks, "We consider the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Church a sacred obligation to the victims of 9/11, to the city of New York, to the people of America and in fact to the international community."

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By Jen Chung in News on March 19, 2009 10:28 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

God so loved this greedy little flock that he stood aside as thousands of tons of debris rained on their church. So now the good little ants want a bigger anthill from which to beg God's indulgence once more? Too tempting.

citylion

Christ Almighty!

Ok, I don't care. The church fails on account of demanding more. Um, greed?

And who do they think they are asking to have approval of the security center? Share some consecrated earth with the world, damn it! They're already getting a bigger plot of land in the deal....greedy.

JenChungsBaby

Rebuilding this church is a sacred obligation to the victims, the city, the country and the entire world? He left out the heavens and the angels and the universe. What bullshit. It was a cute little church next to a parking lot but who give a shit.

Brado

What do you expect from the Greeks?

tmz is evil

Now now...

Dirk

Shocking... someone trying to cash in on 9/11.

jackdonaghy

Enough with the f#@$ing greedy brow-beating and built something in that godforsaken pit already! It's extremely depressing and embarrassing!

EastRiver

Maybe if you spent a little less time whining on Gothamist and a little more time getting out into the world you would know that steel for 1 World Trade Center is already 100 feet above street level. Hell, if you can't drag your ass downtown it was just in the Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/when-are-they-going-to-build-the-new-world-trade-center-just-look-up/?hp

jackdonaghy

I walk by the site everyday. Are you saying that you're impressed with the progess being made? It's been seven and a half years, Dicknose.

tmz is evil

Couldn't we say the same of you? That maybe if you'd spent a little bit more time out in the world, you'd know that Ground Zero isn't really a frequently visited destination for most New Yorkers, except for those who work in the area and tourists?