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A controversial freedom museum was yanked from its proposed place at Ground Zero last week, after months of bitter discussions between family members, elected officials and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
Governor Pataki, citing "too much opposition," announced Sept. 28 that the International Freedom Center was no longer part of the memorial site.
"We must move forward with our first priority, the creation of an inspiring memorial to pay tribute to our lost loved ones and tell their stories to the world," he said in a written statement.
His announcement was applauded by some family members of Sept. 11 victims and the Uniformed Firefighters' Association. The two groups had been arguing for months that the museum planned a variety of exhibits on different topics that they said were inappropriate in an area meant to honor the memory of the 2,749 people who died at the World Trade Center. Among those exhibits was one meant to focus on American actions in foreign countries.
Mayor Bloomberg said he understood the Governor's position, but that he was "disappointed that we were not able to find a way to reconcile the freedoms we hold so dear with the sanctity of the site."
His sentiments were similar to those of LMDC Chairman John Whitehead, who issued a statement saying he had hoped to reach a resolution all parties could live with. "We will move forward with the centerpiece of our efforts, creating an inspiring memorial to those we have lost," he added.
Although the Governor booted the museum from the memorial site at Ground Zero, he suggested the cultural center could sit elsewhere in the
16-acre space. The LMDC, charged with rebuilding the site, said it's willing to explore alternative locations for the center.
Stephen J. Cassidy, UFA president, had no opposition to that plan.
"I commend Governor Pataki for his decision and leadership and we are happy the IFC has been removed," he said. "This has been an important fight to preserve the history for all of America and the world of what occurred that day, not only to our firefighters and the other rescue workers, but the victims and their families. While we agree that the IFC has a place, it just cannot be at the hallowed grounds of the World Trade Center site."
The museum had proposed hosting exhibits discussing the changing nature of freedom in America and around the world. Its early plans included displays on Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Declaration of Independence.
In recent weeks Sept. 11 families led a groundswell of popular support against the museum's placement, which would have been 60 feet below ground near the bedrock of the Twin Towers' foundations. U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton came out against the museum last week, and U.S. Rep. Vito Fossella was a steadfast opponent of the project.
He was one of three Congress Members who threatened to hold hearings on Federal funding for the site if the IFC wasn't moved.
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