jparchitectus
20-08-2005, 23:20
LMDC scraps plans for one ground zero museum; questions second
By AMY WESTFELDT
Associated Press Writer
August 11, 2005, 11:27 AM EDT
NEW YORK -- One museum planned as part of a cultural center at the World Trade Center site will not be moving there and another devoted to freedom will only do so if it satisfies redevelopment officials, the head of the agency charged with rebuilding the site said Thursday.
In an apparent concession to some Sept. 11 victims' relatives who said that the World Trade Center Cultural Center could disrespect the dead and America, John Whitehead gave the International Freedom Center until Sept. 23 to work with family members and produce specific plans for its museum. If the plans do not satisfy the LMDC, he said, "we will find another use or tenant consistent with our objectives for that space."
The Drawing Center, meanwhile, will not be moving to the site, Whitehead said. After weeks of discussion with the LMDC, Whitehead said, the museum was "finding it difficult to comply with the requirements."
The Freedom Center and the Drawing Center are parts of cultural space long planned at the World Trade Center site, which also would include a performing arts complex. But in recent months family members have waged a campaign to remove the two institutions from the site, saying they could include anti-American exhibits and distract attention from a planned memorial museum.
Debra Burlingame, the sister of an American Airlines pilot who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, applauded the Drawing Center's decision not to build on the site but said there is little point in continuing discussions with the Freedom Center.
"They're not telling the story of 9/11," she said. "They're going to have controversial programming that they cannot guarantee in perpetuity will be respectful."
The Freedom Center didn't immediately comment Wednesday but planned a statement later.
In prepared remarks, Whitehead referred to site planner Daniel Libeskind's initial design that included cultural space and the agency's desire to include institutions that stood up for America'
"Sept. 11 represented a terrorist attack aimed at destroying everything that America stands for _ our freedoms and our way of life," Whitehead said. "We believe that the site must reflect a strong, positive answer to the terrorists that they will not prevail, that we will recover, as we have from other threats throughout our history, stronger and more committed to our freedoms."
Asked what criteria the LMDC would use in deciding whether the Freedom Center could remain as planned at the site, Whitehead declined to elaborate from a prepared statement he read at the agency's monthly board meeting.
One board member, deputy mayor Daniel Doctoroff, called the LMDC's decision "a disappointment" and said that it should have been reached after a more public process.
By AMY WESTFELDT
Associated Press Writer
August 11, 2005, 11:27 AM EDT
NEW YORK -- One museum planned as part of a cultural center at the World Trade Center site will not be moving there and another devoted to freedom will only do so if it satisfies redevelopment officials, the head of the agency charged with rebuilding the site said Thursday.
In an apparent concession to some Sept. 11 victims' relatives who said that the World Trade Center Cultural Center could disrespect the dead and America, John Whitehead gave the International Freedom Center until Sept. 23 to work with family members and produce specific plans for its museum. If the plans do not satisfy the LMDC, he said, "we will find another use or tenant consistent with our objectives for that space."
The Drawing Center, meanwhile, will not be moving to the site, Whitehead said. After weeks of discussion with the LMDC, Whitehead said, the museum was "finding it difficult to comply with the requirements."
The Freedom Center and the Drawing Center are parts of cultural space long planned at the World Trade Center site, which also would include a performing arts complex. But in recent months family members have waged a campaign to remove the two institutions from the site, saying they could include anti-American exhibits and distract attention from a planned memorial museum.
Debra Burlingame, the sister of an American Airlines pilot who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, applauded the Drawing Center's decision not to build on the site but said there is little point in continuing discussions with the Freedom Center.
"They're not telling the story of 9/11," she said. "They're going to have controversial programming that they cannot guarantee in perpetuity will be respectful."
The Freedom Center didn't immediately comment Wednesday but planned a statement later.
In prepared remarks, Whitehead referred to site planner Daniel Libeskind's initial design that included cultural space and the agency's desire to include institutions that stood up for America'
"Sept. 11 represented a terrorist attack aimed at destroying everything that America stands for _ our freedoms and our way of life," Whitehead said. "We believe that the site must reflect a strong, positive answer to the terrorists that they will not prevail, that we will recover, as we have from other threats throughout our history, stronger and more committed to our freedoms."
Asked what criteria the LMDC would use in deciding whether the Freedom Center could remain as planned at the site, Whitehead declined to elaborate from a prepared statement he read at the agency's monthly board meeting.
One board member, deputy mayor Daniel Doctoroff, called the LMDC's decision "a disappointment" and said that it should have been reached after a more public process.