Are a few people showing support for building the "Ground Zero Mosque" in their neighborhoods enough to start a "tug-of-war"? Sure, why not? According to the Post, there could be a struggle between TriBeCa and the West Village for who gets the privilege of having the Park51 project built in their 'hood. Though Park51 reps have denied any plans to move the project to the old St. Vincent's building, a few West Village residents are hopeful that there's still a chance.
One Community Board 4 member told DNAinfo, "If someone wants to come in and build a mosque and a state-of-the-art hospital, I would welcome that in this community." It could also ease some of the tensions caused by the project. One woman who lost her son on 9/11 says a move to a location a respectful two miles away from Ground Zero, "would be a win-win for everyone involved. The pain and grief 9/11 families are enduring would be eliminated."
However, TriBeCa residents aren't ready to let go. TriBeCa Community Board 1 Chairwoman Julie Menin said, "It's up to the [Park51] developers as to where the mosque would ultimately go...[but] I strongly support the project being built here." And Ameena Meer, a member of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s congregation, said, "Every time I walk down the street, residents ask when it’s happening. Even if it’s just simple recreational services, we’re desperate for those." Seriously, TriBeCa is such a dead neighborhood.
Perhaps is it less the mosque itself and more that West Villagers just want something in the abandoned St. Vincent's building. Another West Village resident said, "I welcome anything here—except condos for yuppies." Umm.
