May 11, 2009
The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor of the City of New York
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mayor Bloomberg,
Each day we read about additional delays and issues related to the redevelopment at Ground Zero. At this point in time it does not appear that it will be possible to have a fully completed memorial in place for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Besides the fact that there are still many concerns related to the currently planned memorial not having it completed by September 11th 2011 would be yet another blow to the 9/11 families.
To that end we would like to once again make you aware of a 9/11 memorial we are currently planning for Staten Island. This memorial will provide a permanent home for the United in Memory 9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt. It will also include a 21,000 square foot memorial garden and a corridor of memories which include 8 x 10 photos of all 9/11 victims arranged in alphabetical order by affiliation. It will also allow family members to identify their loved ones as they wish under each photo.
We estimate the total cost of this memorial to be approximately $6.5 million most of which will go to the restoration of an abandoned complex on the Seaview Rehabilitation campus on Staten Island. We have already received a $457,000 start up grant from Senators Schumer and Clinton. We also have a commitment from Senator Lanza and are working with Congressman McMahon’ office and our state and city representatives to secure additional funding.
We are currently finishing up paperwork with HUD and hope to begin work on actual renovation of the facility during this summer.
We are requesting your assistance with this project, which has the support of almost all of the 9/11 family groups, and will deliver many of the elements requested by family members which due to space and other restrictions are not included in the current memorial plans.
We are asking that you consider supporting this effort as it will compliment the memorial at Ground Zero by providing a peaceful and serene space for us to honor those lost on 9/11.
With your support we will be able to get this completed well in advance of the 10th anniversary.
This effort will also support your recent call to the support of volunteerism as much of this work will be provided by volunteers already committed to this project. We also envision the completed memorial to be staffed by senior and student volunteers.
As mayor and president of the WTC Memorial Foundation we hope that you will seriously consider partnering with us to bring this project to fruition.
We will be available to discuss this further at your convenience to answer any of your questions or to address any of your concerns.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Dennis McKeon
Executive Director
cc:
Senator Charles Schumer
Congressman Michael McMahon
Borough President James Molinaro
Senator Andrew Lanza
Senator Diane Savino
Assemblyman Michael Cusick
Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer
Assemblyman Matthew Titone
Assemblyman Lou Tobacco
Councilman James Oddo
Councilman Vincent Ignizio
Councilman Ken Mitchell
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