Never Forget...To Use The Bathroom Before Visiting The 9/11 Memorial

The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is on track to open in time for the tenth anniversary of the attack, but it seems that there's just one little problem: you may have to hold it in while you're there. "Visitors will be provided with information to help plan their visit, including being advised that bathrooms will not be accessible on the site," Bloomberg spokesman Andrew Brent told the Post.

It seems like a rather large oversight for the $508 million project, which is expecting millions of people to visit once it opens on September 11 this year. City Hall admits to the mistake, and adds that there are currently no plans to bring porta-potties to the site. As it stands, the closest bathrooms in the area are at the discount department store Century21, across the 16-acre plaza on Cortlandt Street. "Every time they have something for 9/11, we expect a crowd at our bathrooms. When President Obama visited, we had extra staff at the bathrooms to accommodate the crowd. We know we're going to have to make adjustments when they open the memorial," a store manager told the Post.

Memorial foundation board member Julie Menin said it was imperative that the memorial be open to the 10 year anniversary, but did say that bathroom facilities will be provided in the museum when it opens a year later. We're curious to see if Jon Stewart, who is also on the memorial foundation board, has any take on the oversight. But the Post does it pretty well with this zinger: "Two large reflecting pools and cascading waterfalls on the site are intended to create a serene environment for quiet contemplation of the lives lost during the terror attacks. They may also be a frustrating reminder there's nowhere to relieve oneself."

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By Ben Yakas in News on May 22, 2011 11:20 AM

Comments [rss]

Jackie Vendetti

Hi Arnie,
Thanks for sharing your info.
One thing this article forgot to mention is that even though the memorial will technically be open on 9/11/11, it will only be open to families of those who died on 9/11/01. It opens to the public on 9/12/11 and you'll need advance tickets to get in. They are anticipating 4 to 5 million visitors a year. Hope this helps people to plan their trip.

Jackie
www.9-11HealingandRemembrance....

Arnie Korotkin

Thought this would be of interest to readers.

Since September 2001 I have maintained the "9/11 list-serv" which distributes daily e-mails containing newspaper articles and other relevant information re: 9/11 issues of interest to 9/11 families, 9/11 organizations and interested individuals.

The 9/11 List-serv archives can be accessed at http://groups.google.com/group...

If you would like to 'subscribe' to this free news service - send an e-mail to amkorotkin@aol.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject box.

Arnie

Unkle_Bob

It's well established that the sound of falling water increases your perceived need to pee.

Roger_the_Shrubber

When they do finally install the lavatorial facilities, I'm donating a crate of bin laden urinal cakes for them to use.

Frankybonz

Do you really want that mug staring up at you while you pee?

chlyn

If it's mouth is open, yes.

Guest

LOL at the headline.

Roger_the_Shrubber

Everybody should go take a leak on the Ground Zero mosque.

(I knew it had some legitimate purpose.)

robingee

OK, you're an Intolerant Conservative Dude. We gets it.

Guest

What a lame comment.

colonelcasey

Don't forget the public bathrooms in the Winter Garden across West Street.

I understand if the memorial park doesn't have bathrooms (it is a park afterall) but I should think that they'd have it in the museum portion of the site if you pay for admission.