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9-11: FOUR YEARS LATER - SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION
For the last four years, the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. has been busy spending $2.8 billion in federal community-development
money to help the city recover from the effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Many of the LMDC's programs are focused
on the 16-acre site at Ground Zero, including helping to plan and pay for the memorial, tributes and arts buildings. But millions
also are earmarked for other projects south of Canal Street, including about $270 million for a major face-lift along the
East River and more than a dozen parks, $50 million for affordable housing, and nearly $10 million for tourism. The city-state
agency, created after Sept. 11 to oversee rebuilding and renewal, never was limited to the World Trade Center site. In fact,
a key part of its mission was to help bring back all of downtown, including neighborhoods such as Chinatown, to the east of
Ground Zero, and Battery Park City, to the west. The largest chunk - $300 million - will go to the World Trade Center Memorial
Foundation, which must raise $500 million in private money for the memorial and related buildings at Ground Zero. Four years
after Sept. 11 shattered the area, lower Manhattan has already begun transforming, with projects that are anywhere from near
completion to merely ideas.
FREEDOM TOWER
Location: Northwest corner of Ground Zero Cost:
Unknown; previous design was pegged at $1.5 billion Financed by: Silverstein Properties' insurance proceeds; firm is
asking for $3.5 billion in tax-exempt Liberty Bonds for this and other towers Status: Had been delayed by security
issues, but new design was unveiled in June; steel footings will be installed starting in April 2006, with completion slated
for late 2010 or early 2011.
TOWER 2
Location: South of Vesey Street and east of an extended Greenwich Street Cost: Unknown Financed
by: Silverstein Properties' insurance proceeds; firm is asking for $3.5 billion in tax-exempt Liberty Bonds for this and
other towers Status: Achitecture expected to be unveiled next year; construction starting in 2007 and completed by
2011; Towers 3, 4 and 5 are projected for 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
WORLD TRADE CENTER MEMORIAL and MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Location: Six acres bordered by
Fulton Street to the north and Liberty Street to the south; 110,000-square-foot museum will be underground Cost: Undisclosed;
estimated $400 million Financed by: Donations to the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation Status: Design unveiled
in January 2004; groundbreaking expected next year with opening on Sept. 11, 2009.
7 WORLD TRADE CENTER
Location: 250 Greenwich St., just north of Ground Zero Cost: $700 million Financed by:
Silverstein Properties' insurance proceeds and $475 million in tax-exempt Liberty Bonds Status: Construction expected
to be completed by end of this year and ready for tenants by March.
PROJECT: CULTURAL CENTER
Location: On memorial quadrant's northeast side Cost: Estimated $200 million Financed
by: Donations to the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation Status: Design unveiled in May; will
now be 30 percent smaller; a vocal group of victims' families didn't want the two museums selected as its occupants - International
Freedom Center and The Drawing Center - to be located there.
PATH STATION DESIGNED BY SANTIAGO CALATRAVA
Location: Underground with above-ground hall that abuts Church Street Cost: $2.21 billion Financed
by: Federal Transit Administration will pay $1.92 billion; rest will come from Port Authority Status: Groundbreaking
slated; expected to be operational in 2009.
LOWER MANHATTAN-JFK RAIL LINK
Location: Will connect Kennedy Airport using LIRR tracks, Jamaica station and East River tunnel to reach
new downtown PATH station. Cost: $6 billion Financed by: $400 million from MTA and $560 million from Port Authority;
seeking $1 billion more from Port Authority and $2 billion from Congress; would still need another $2 billion. Status:
Gov. George Pataki supports it. Funding is being sorted out.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Location: Between Freedom Tower and Tower 2 Cost: Unknown; original budget $200 million Financed
by: Donations to World Trade Center Memorial Foundation Status: Plans on track to reveal design by architect Frank
Gehry early next year, but costs are running over budget; slated for completion in 2009 or 2010.
FULTON TRANSIT CENTER
Location: At the Broadway-Nassau/Fulton Street subway stop; above-ground dome will be seen on John and
Dey streets Cost: $750 million Financed by: Federal Transit Administration Status: Work began in August
and is to be completed by 2008. Design will be scaled back but is projected to run over budget.
SOUTH FERRY SUBWAY TERMINAL
Location: Adjacent to Battery Park and Staten Island Ferry terminal Cost: $400 million Financed
by: Post-Sept. 11 federal funds Status: To be completed in late 2007.
EAST RIVER WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT
Location: A greenway from Battery Park to East
River Park Cost: Estimated $150 million Financed by: Lower Manhattan Development Corp. grant Status:
Part of project has been approved and funded.
Port Authority, FDNY, NYPD and other public safety officers to be honored.
After a long campaign, 13 Port Authority civilian employees who died in the line of duty in the World Trade
Center attack will be honored Friday September 9th, 2005 with a national Medal of Valor at a White House ceremony.
The 13 employees will be among the 443 public safety officers being honored, which includes the 343 members of the FDNY, 23
members of the NYPD and the 37 Port Authority police officers, which suffered the largest single-day loss of life of any police
force in history. The Port Authority had to document to the U.S. Justice Department that the 13 had received extensive emergency
training and were legitimately eligible for the medal, said Lillian Valenti, chief of the office of medical services. Some
1,200 family members of the victims are expected to attend the ceremony, each family will receive a gold-plated medallion
and two pins.
Funeral held for firefighter who died on 9/11 but whose remains weren't identified until
this year.
Nearly four years after the World Trade Center was attacked and hundreds of emergency responders
died, Firefighter Gerard Baptiste was laid to rest on Wednesday September 7th, 2005. The funeral for the beloved firefighter
comes after his remains were identified earlier this year. But the service was like dozens of others that had preceded it
in the past few years, a spectacular display of solidarity by a department that lost 343 of its members that fateful day.
Dignitaries and members of the department in dress uniform lined the streets in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, where
the funeral was held, as the Emerald Society Bagpipe Band played a number of somber tunes down an eerily quiet Fifth Avenue.
A fire truck slowly made its way to the famed church carrying a flag-draped coffin containing Baptiste's remains. Baptiste,
who was born in the Dominican Republic to a Haitian father and a Dominican mother, and was aged 35, was one of four firefighters
from Ladder Co. 9 in the East Village to perish on Sept. 11. He reportedly died on the 33rd floor in the north tower attempting
to rush people to safety. After the funeral, which was attended by Cardinal Edward Egan, nine uniformed members of the department
carried Baptiste's remains back to the fire engine. "America the Beautiful" played in the background. Baptiste was buried
at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
Pentagon to mark 9/11 anniversary with 'Freedom Walk'
Thousands of people are expected to turn out Sunday for a government-organized "Freedom Walk" to commemorate
the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. Other area corporations have
signed up as sponsors, including arms maker Lockheed Martin, AOL, local television and radio stations and the Pentagon Federal
Credit Union. Lieutenant Commander Greg Hicks, a Pentagon spokesman, said a turnout of thousands of people "from all sectors
of society" was expected for the march. It will begin Sunday morning near the place where a hijacked American Airlines jetliner
slammed into the Pentagon four years ago, killing 184 people and the five hijackers. It came shortly after hijacked airliners
were flown into the World Trade Center in New York. The attacks which claimed the lives of some 3,000 people were the deadliest
ever on US soil. A memorial park is due to be unveiled Saturday at the site of the attack. Benches cantilevered over
small reflecting pools will represent each of the victims. The marchers will walk a two-mile route from the Pentagon across
the Potomac River via Memorial Bridge to the Washington Mall where country-western singer Clint Black will perform. Participants
are required to register beforehand, and are barred from carrying banners, water coolers, fireworks or toy weapons, according
to the organizers. "Backpacks, duffels and bags are allowed but will be subject to security screening," a Pentagon website
devoted to the event said. The event has been organized by America Supports You, a Pentagon public relations program that
was created to show public support for US troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In announcing the walk last month, US Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the aim was to remind participants "of the sacrifices of this generation and of each previous
generation that has so successfully defended our freedoms." The military has marked previous anniversaries of the September
11 attacks with low key ceremonies. This year's event comes as polls show flagging public support for the US military involvement
in Iraq.
TV Programs
On the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Discovery Channel flies viewers
into the heart of darkness in ``The Flight That Fought Back'' (Sunday at 9 p.m.). ``The Flight That Fought Back'' makes a
compelling case that the 33 passengers and seven crew members onboard launched an attack against the terrorists who hijacked
their plane, knowing full well they were probably going to die but refusing to let the terrorists achieve their objective. As
``Flight'' opens with interviews with loved ones and actors portraying the passengers, crew and terrorists, you become aware
of how many of those folks weren't supposed to be on that plane. There was the pilot who switched flights so he could be home
for his wedding anniversary; the purser who juggled schedules; and the gay rugby player who was seconds away from being closed
out of the flight. Also onboard: a black belt karate champion, an ex-cop and a federal law enforcement official. If you believe
in fate, ``Flight'' makes a case for the right people being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As the recordings of
calls to family and emergency personnel reveal, the passengers and crew were remarkably composed as they realized that other
planes were hijacked and used as weapons - and that theirs was next. Verizon telephone supervisor Lisa Jefferson recalls passenger
Todd Beamer asking her to pray with him. It is impossible not to be moved.
History Channel offers "Osama's Hideouts" at 7 p.m., tracking the movements of Osama bin Laden from Pakistan through other
locations. "The Man Who Predicted 9/11" follows at 8 p.m., spotlighting Morgan Stanley Dean Witter's director of security,
Rick Rescorla. He predicted the attack and led hundreds to safety out of the World Trade Center's South Tower before he died
in its collapse.
"Grounded on 9/11" at 9 p.m. on History Channel describes how the FAA ordered all aircraft out of the skies after two commercial
jetliners were deliberately crashed into the World Trade Center.
"For the Love of Their Brother" (10:30 p.m., WQED) on PBS tells the story of New York firefighter Stephen Siller, who had
finished his shift and was en route home to Staten Island when he learned a plane had struck the World Trade Center. With
the Battery Tunnel closed to traffic, Siller ran toward the site to help, wearing 75 pounds of fire gear. He perished in the
collapse of the towers. To honor Siller's memory, his six siblings established the annual "Tunnel to Towers Run" for charity,
which retraces the firefighter's final steps.
"The Anatomy of September 11th" at 1:30 p.m. on A&E offers a detailed account of the final 102 minutes before the World
Trade Center's collapse, from the viewpoint of reporters and others present.
"World Trade Center: Rise and Fall of an American Icon" at 4 p.m. on History Channel explores the background of the physical
and symbolic stature of the twin towers in the New York skyline.
"Inside 9/11," a two-part, four hour documentary that looks at the terrorist attacks and the events leading to them, is
rebroadcast at 1 p.m. on National Geographic Channel.
'The Day Before 9/11' set for Saturday in Union Springs, Alabama.
The Union Springs based Citizens Committee for Preparedness is promoting National Preparedness Month by sponsoring
"The Day Before 9/11" from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Conecuh Springs Christian School in Union Springs.
The event is free and open to the public. The committee includes volunteers, local businesses and school representatives,
the Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team, the Red Cross, U.S. Army, fire departments, law enforcement and emergency
medical personnel. Diane LaFountaine, committee member, said the event will give Union Springs and surrounding communities
the opportunity to become educated about emergencies such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters. "Our mission is to educate
area communities in the event of emergencies," LaFountaine said. "Tools of learning will include military and emergency responder
displays and demonstrations, speakers for Homeland Security and Emergency Response and aircraft and skydivers. The Weapons
of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team presentation will provide background information about the CST and the role that it
will play in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. Entertainment will include country, gospel, rhythm and
blues and oldies and feature Robert Lee and Friends and four other groups. All activities will be moved to the school's gym
in case of rain.
City of Fallon, Nevada schedules 9/11 remembrance ceremony Sunday.
As a way to both honor the people who gave their lives and "never forget September 11th,"
Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford said the city will continue its recent tradition of an annual ceremony in remembrance of 9/11. The
ceremony, which is expected to last close to 30 minutes, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday in the courtyard behind Fallon City
Hall. Fallon City Councilmen John Tewell and Bob Erickson and NAS Fallon Navy Cmdr. Doug Russell are all scheduled speakers
at the event. The city of Fallon will also have complimentary roses on hand to be placed at the foot of the courtyard's monument
to 9/11 during the ceremony. Tedford and the council first decided to start the tradition of an annual formal remembrance
in 2002. But that came after Tedford sent Fallon Public Works Director Jerry Mayfield to New York City to retrieve a piece
of steel lying at ground zero from one of the Twin Towers that fell in the attacks. That beam is now part of the city's 9/11
monument, which was designed by local architect Frank Woodliff. "We want to make sure that people don't forget September 11th,"
Tedford said. "And if future generations were allowed to, that would just be a travesty. The monument was with the idea that
people, at least in this community, would have a daily reminder of what this country went through, at least on that one day.
Of all those that died that day, those families that were connected will go through the rest of their life with it. We can
at least think of it for one day, and that's why we have the ceremony."
College Conservatives to Memorialize 9/11
Conservative students on over one hundred college and high school campuses are remembering the fourth anniversary
of September 11th with the help of Young America's Foundation's 9/11: Never Forget Project. The Foundation encourages participants
to create an American flag memorial honoring those who died in the terrorist attacks. To aid this effort, the Foundation distributed
thousands of American flags, Never Forget buttons, and posters depicting the horrors of that tragic day. The Foundation began
this program three years ago, since most college campuses were either completely ignoring the anniversary of the terrorist
attacks or scheduling a politically-correct activity instead. Specific events include:
Trey Winslett at the University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill has scheduled a school-endorsed memorial
service on Sunday, September 11th featuring an address by decorated Iraq War Veteran, Lt. Col. Scott Rutter (Ret.). In addition,
3,000 American flags will be displayed on the Polk Place campus quad on Sunday, September 11th.
Ruth Malhotra at Georgia Tech has teamed up with her school's Office of Diversity, Student Services Department,
Student Government Association, and several campus organizations to implement an American flag memorial that will be displayed
throughout the weekend. Approximately 3,000 flags will be placed around the central quad and walkway on campus. As part of
this campus-wide initiative, a moment of silence will be observed on Friday at 12:00 noon. Throughout the week, donations
will be accepted for the American Red Cross' hurricane relief efforts.
Matt Gabler's conservative club at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania will display an American
flag memorial beginning on Friday, September 9. Club members will also be collecting donations to benefit the Red Cross hurricane
relief effort. Donors can sponsor flags for a minimum $1 donation per flag. Each sponsored flag will have a tag with space
for donors to write their names, the names of loved ones, or short messages.
Halifax High School student, Kara Luzik, has added her own unique touches to the 9/11: Never Forget Project.
Each of the 3,000 flags bears the name of a victim of the attacks. The names are attached to the stems of the flags. Following
the display, flags will be sold for a dollar a piece at their home football game. Part of the proceeds will go toward the
American Red Cross.
New Jersey schools, towns to hold 9/11 services.
For Franklin School, in Kearny, the Sept. 11 ceremony is about keeping the memory alive,
especially in the minds of the children. The third annual remembrance service will take place on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. at
the baseball field in the back of the school. The service, which will be a patriotic remembrance of those who lost their lives
on Sept.11, will be open to the public. Respected members of the community will be joining the children as they sing
the national anthem, recite passages from the Gettysburg address and honor the police and fire officials for their part in
the relief. “We want the students to never forget what happened and to never forget those who lost their
lives,” said Vice Principal of Franklin School, Jon Zimmerman. Harrison’s Mayor Raymond McDonough and
council will be holding a prayer vigil on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in Roosevelt Park at the 9/11 monument. Council member Arthur
Pettigrew said last week that it is important for the town to keep the memory of the victims alive. “The mayor
and council are doing this because we want people to remember the 2,000 or so victims who lost their lives,” said Pettigrew.
“We need to keep them close to our hearts,” Other services in the area are; Christ Episcopal Church on Washington
Avenue who will be hosting a commemorating service and a candlelight vigil on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Bloomfield will hold
a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the town park memorial site. Town officials will be placing wreaths on a 9/11
memorial, which displays the names of three people from Bloomfield who lost their lives in the disaster. East Newark
on Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. will hold a prayer service held by the Mayor Joseph Smith and town officials in front of town hall
located at 34 Sherman Ave. The mayor and officials will be dedicating a gray, granite monument with an engraved picture
of the towers and the phrase “we will never forget,” in the memory of the victims who lost their lives. North
Arlington’s Skyline Park located on Schuyler Avenue will be opened on Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to dusk. The New York City
skyline is very visible from the park, which holds a small monument dedicated to the victims of 9/11. Lyndhurst’s
Veterans Alliance group will hold a short service on Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. in town hall park located on Delafield Avenue.
9-11 anniversary program will be Sunday at Twining, Wisconsin.
Monroe area citizens are asked to take time to participate in Monroe's Community Remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001. The fourth
annual "Monroe Remembers 9-11" will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Twining Park bandshell. City officials and representatives
of the Monroe Fire Department, Monroe Police Department, Green County Sheriff's Department, Green County EMS, and Green County
Emergency Management will be present to honor those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attack and to renew
awareness, interest, and respect for the nation's firefighters, emergency responders, volunteers and others who serve the
community. Dr. Dan Stormont will perform several selections on the bagpipes. The ceremony will close with a candlelight service.
Please bring a white candle to light for the service. Hans Blanc will perform "Taps." Immediately following the ceremony,
a special service, "Monroe Responds," will be conducted for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and for those who are helping
rescue and recover people. Anyone wishing to make a financial donation may make checks payable to the organization of their
choice. Any cash donations received will be donated to the American Red Cross.
Local 9/11 Memorial to be Dedicated Sunday in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
A dedication of the Wayne County 9/11 Memorial will take place on Patriot's Day, Sunday, Sept. 11, at
2 p.m. in front of the Wayne County Court House, 925 Court St. The dedication program will last approximately
one hour and the public is welcome to attend. This dedication will have music and words of inspiration. All local emergency
units and first responder units have been invited to attend and to bring a vehicle and personnel. The committee has asked
churches in the area to ring their bells on Sept. 11 in honor of the lives lost on that fateful day in 2001. They have requested
church bells be rung at the following times: 8:45; 9:03; 9:43 and 10:10 a.m. These times represent the times that the planes
crashed and precious lives were lost. The 9/11 committee has been raising funds to build a memorial to honor first responders
in our community and the World Trade Center. This memorial is honoring those who have lost their lives, those who presently
serve and those who will serve in the future. It honors our local ambulance, fire, police, veteran's groups, all emergency
responders and our armed services personnel.
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