Video on Lawsuit
Home In Tribute Grove of Remembrance Dedication Speech
The (Bergen) Record: 11/4/07 Column by James Ahearn "A living memorial is best"
JJ 10/8/07 Over Budget Memorial JJ 10/9/07 Editorial "Big Pile of Dirt..."
SL 10/11/07 High Bids Halt LSP Memorial
JJ 7/31/06 Story JC Reporter 7/28/06 Story SL 7/28/06 Story Rethink Design JJ Editorial
JC Reporter 8/20/06 Story SL 8/17/06 Story JJ 8/18/06 Story JJ 8/26/06
NY Times Article on Friends Lawsuit 3/25/07
Law Case Justification and Press Conference Statement
Please
Support Legal Fund
to Preserve LSP's Sacred Views & Public Plaza
|
Video on Lawsuit |
||
|
|
Transcript of Friends Public Meeting 8/16/06
Assemblyman Lou Manzo's letter to Governor
Friends
Message on Governor's decision against Memorial Relocation
Summary of the Memorial Relocation Cause
Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders Supports the Friends
petition to Governor Corzine to email Governor 8/16 Public Meeting
Your
voice is important in supporting this important cause of urging the Governor
to protect sacred dramatic "national shrine" views. Please voice
your opposition to Governor Corzine to the 9/11 Memorial Design for LSP's
Terminal Public Plaza area. The design includes the 10 foot high by 200 foot long north to south Hill blocking views across the river to Ground Zero,
lower Manhattan, and the river on which people were evacuated on 9/11. Also in
the design are two mostly east to west stainless steel Walls, that are 30 feet
high and 200 feet long and block views up and down the river, and also to and
from the historic landmark Terminal. The design also eliminates the former
Pubic Plaza gathering space on which there were twice a week free concerts
each summer, festivals, and on which people would walk or sit and take in the
powerful, open panoramic vistas of the river and NYC skyline. This chosen with
no public meetings and the state has refused to have a public meeting and has
falsely said that there were public meetings. The August news story links at
top of page go to the press accounts of the Friends own public meeting by the
Hill on August 16 at which people spoke passionately about the Governor
relocating or radically revising this 9/11 Memorial design.
Background
Material/Documentation on the issue of The Friends calling for a public
meeting on the 9/11 Memorial design at LSP
photos of Hill
|
|
|
 by Alina Oswald |
|
 Meeting by Steve Latham |
 Hill by Steve Latham |
 by Mark Finn JC Magazine |
website of architect - image of Memorial design of Hill and
Walls
http://www.schwartzarch.com/nj911memorial.htm
The second image down, an aerial view, on architect's website, doesn't
show true effect on skyline by the Hill and the image doesn't include the
adjacent historic 1889 CRRNJ Terminal.
Friends’ Letter to Editor submitted to The Star Ledger
Dear Editor
The Liberty State Park 9/11 Memorial design is overwhelmingly condemned by
those who use and love LSP (7/28 Star Ledger “An unshared view of
9/11” by Ana Ayala).
The Friends of LSP ask Governor Corzine to listen to park users’ strong
opposition to this public memorial design that was unwisely chosen with no
public meetings at all.
The 10 foot high hill outrageously obstructs the sacred view of Lower
Manhattan from the closest and most meaningful place in LSP. This hill also
blocks the view of the Hudson River that played such an essential role on
9/11.
Instead of a sensible low wall with NJ victims’ names, the design has two
stainless-steel Walls, 200 feet long and 30 feet high which block views up and
down the river and are incompatible with the adjacent 1889 CRNNJ
Terminal.
We invite Governor Corzine, NJDEP and all citizens to our public meeting near
the Terminal (inside if rain) on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 6:30 pm. Let’s build
a memorial for future generations that doesn’t severely harm Liberty State
Park.
Sam Pesin,
president of the Friends of Liberty State Park
The Friends of Liberty State Park
P.O. Box 3407 Jersey City, NJ
07302 pesinliberty@earthlink.net
201-341-7895
Dear Governor Jon Corzine,
July
17, 2006
The Friends of Liberty
State Park fully support an official NJ 9/11 Memorial in LSP, on the CRRNJ
Terminal Plaza, which had the closest and best view of the sacred downtown NYC
skyline. However, a design was chosen that is totally wrong. NJ is creating a
Memorial as our legacy for generations to come, and this design blocks the
sacred and powerful view of the downtown NYC skyline and of the river. NJ has
a special obligation to guarantee that the public has the opportunity to speak
publicly about this design.
People have said that the
Hill, that will be 10 feet high, and the 30 foot high by 200 foot long Walls
are a monstrosity. The design is not integrated into Liberty State Park, which
was a key criterion of the “Jury”, the “New Jersey 9-11 Memorial Design
Professional Advisory Committee." After the “Jury” narrowed 320
designs down to 8, there should have been a public meeting as part of Gov.
McGreevey’s process in order to narrow the finalist designs down to 2 or 3,
and then victims’ families could have made the final choice.
Sincerely,
Sam Pesin, president of
The Friends of LSP, and son of the late Morris Pesin, the “father” of LSP
The Friends of Liberty State Park Statement on the
Need for a
Public Meeting on the 9/11 Memorial at Liberty State Park
The State of NJ should already have had a public meeting
at LSP on the design of the 9/11 Memorial, which blocks the historic view shed
of NYC. There never was a public meeting on this major addition to our urban
state park, one of America’s most important public spaces. It is totally
un-American that there hasn’t been a public meeting in the public park
behind Lady Liberty, the worlds greatest symbol of democracy. The
exclusionary design selection process was an unconscionable disservice to LSPs
users and future. Its late but not too late at all, to avert a design disaster
for all present and future LSP users who have a right to the skyline View Shed
that is too sacred to be destroyed.
The Friends have recently heard from a couple of hundred angry and shocked
regular park users who have seen the view blocking Hill; some of them are 9/11
survivors who escaped from the attacked Towers and who lost friends that
terrible day. When they saw the Hill being built, they found out about the
Hills and the Walls height. They and all park users and members of the public
deserve to have and must have public input. We feel that the design, as in NYC
and in any other democracy-respecting local or state must have public
input, especially with the NYC skyline being such an important part of LSP.
At the Friends Spring meeting on 5/20, there was unanimity in calling for an
urgent public meeting. The consensus comments in an intense discussion focused
on the obliteration of the skyline view by the Memorial. A survivor said that
the attack destroyed people and the design destroys the crucial skyline view,
which had been one of the worlds best and most meaningful views. The Memorial
tremendously detracts from a sacred aspect of LSP, and FAILS NJs Memorial
Design Competition criterion (www.state.nj.us/nj911memorial/qanda)
of "integrating the Memorial elements with New York City, New York
Harbor, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Liberty State Park, the
Memorial tree grove, Morris Canal and the State of New Jersey?" The
Jury will be considering how the proposals complement the physical context
of the Park and the region.
People felt this design is way out of scale and violates LSPs and the
historic 1889 CRRNJ Terminals integrity. Most people agreed that a
Memorial is appropriate.
We ask NJ and the architect to eliminate the 10 plus foot hill, and to change
the design into a flat open space. The green open space is compatible with
the park and the design criteria and doesnt cause egregious harm to the park
user experience.. The overwhelming majority has always wanted a green open
space waterfront park and to enjoy the dramatic and spectacular views. The
Hill diminishes LSP. The Hill cuts off the skyline view for Zapp Drive
drivers, ferry tourists and anyone using the N. Field for passive recreation.
One of the most active park volunteers stated Saturday, that in Japanese
landscaping, a key principle is to borrow the beautiful and screen out the
ugly, but that here the opposite would happen with the Hill, as the powerful,
meaningful and inspiring is screened out.
Memorial Hill would take away a sacred, powerful, scenic View Shed, the closest and best view in the world of downtown NYC. People driving up Zapp Drive will see a Hill instead of one of the best views in the world of the full skyline. It's like the misguided Vietnam War philosophy of burning a village to save it. The Hill destroys a sacred view from its western side, in order to honor the view.
State Senator Bernard Kenny, Jr. the state's Majority Leader, in a recent filmed statement declared "in and of itself, the vista of lower Manhattan is a national shrine. This Memorial robs the public of the national shrine of the view
The Hill eliminates the beloved and inspiring straight ahead views of the skyscrapers from top to bottom, including Ground Zero area buildings, and also the views of the boats in the Hudson River as one drives or walks up Zapp Drive.
When the western side trees are 25 to 30 feet tall, the trees will add to the negative consequences of the Hill Plan by destroying even further, what was an unblocked view of the NYC buildings from bottom to top.
The free concerts for over 20 years have been by the Terminal on the lawn or on the Plaza. With concerts going to be on the Performance Pad next year, in the grass near the parking lot, the concert attendees, mostly senior citizens, will have their view of the skyline cut off by the Hill. They will be appalled and saddened.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is an email sent to NJDEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson by a 9/11 survivor.
Tanya Chauhan
To: Lisa.Jackson@dep.state.nj.us
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:39:49 -0400
Subject: Liberty State Park 9/11 Memorial
Dear Commissioner Jackson,
I am a Jersey City resident, 9/11 survivor and frequent user of Liberty
State Park. I am writing today to express my concern over the planned
>9/11
memorial for the prime location of LSP.
I am greatly disturbed at the plan for a hill in the front of the park.
First the Twin Towers were taken away and now the great view of downtown NY
is being taken away. While I read the original articles regarding the
planned memorial I had no indication that there would be a hill blocking
this magnificent view as a part of the memorial. In fact my memory of
the
descriptions was that they highlighted the view. I was working in the
WTC on
9/11, I have co-workers and friends who died on 9/11 and I respect their
memories, those of their families and those of all of us who survived that
horrible day.
I also love Liberty State Park. I love its openness and views of NYC.
I
try to go to the park at least weekly. I have volunteered on projects
that
support the park and made donations to the park. It is an important part
of the Lafayette neighborhood, Jersey City and New Jersey as a whole. It
draws
visitors from around the world for its amazing views and overall beauty.
The planned hill destroys these views. Please work with the plan
architect
and whoever else needs to be involved, hopefully including the neighboring
communities to ensure that this does not happen.
Best Regards,
Tanya Chauhan 321 Pacific Ave Jersey City, NJ 07304
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is the letter to the Governor by Ruth Conrad, the widow of the late
Ted Conrad, one of the founders of Liberty State Park
May 10, 2006
The Honorable Jon S. Corzine
Governor of New Jersey
PO. Box 001
Trenton, NJ, 08625
Dear Sir,
On Sunday, May 7, 2006, I attended the 30th birthday party for Liberty State
Park. As the widow of one of the co-founders of the park, Theodore Conrad, the
park is very dear to me.
To my horror I discovered, that somebody in Trenton decided
to spoil the main beauty of the park, namely the magnificent view of the river
and the skyline of New York, including of the site where the World Trade
Towers once stood. If you tried, you could not design a more moving memorial
to the victims of 9/11, than to just ride down Audrey Zapp Drive , having
the reminder of that horrible day in front of you.
I became aware, that there war a hill, covering the whole
lawn next to the old Railroad Terminal and learned, that the plan
includes to put two stainless steel slabs of 30by 200 on top of this hill.
I wish you could take a trip to the park and I am
sure, you would agree with me, that this whole idea is just too horrible .
I understand, that the whole project was done without any
public hearings, in other words, it was just stuffed down our throats.
The only solution to this catastrophe is, for you to give
an order to stop it immediately and to tear down that hill.
Morris Pesin and my husband must be turning in their
graves and so, I am sure must be the victims of 9/11.
I am looking forward to hearing from you with the news,
that you have stopped this atrocity.
Yours truly,
Ruth Conrad
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Friends of Liberty State Park
Sam Pesin, statement for June 13 meeting on the 9/11 Memorial design at LSP,
with Commissioner Jackson, victims families, people from Governor's office and
other state officials
As president of the Friends and the son of Morris Pesin, the father of LSP,
I thank you very much Commissioner Lisa Jackson for arranging this meeting on
the emotional issue of the design and the democratic process. I know I’m
speaking for all park users in saying that we have the feelings of victims
families very close to our heart. Were all here because we want a design that,
for centuries to come, honors victims lives, but doesn’t have a negative
impact on the sacred views from LSP. The Friends love the park, we love our
country, we love democracy,and we hate the evil do-ers who attacked our
democracy. We agree with Mayor Guliani, who said at Saturdays unveiling of the
6 foot high bronze wall on NYs Firehouse # 10, that the time for remembering
9/11 never will pass.
LSP turning 30 years old tomorrow was NJs Bicentennial gift to America. The
park is sacred public land because it is next to Lady Liberty and Ellis
Island, and was made more sacred because of the parks role on 9/11 and at the
Victims Assistance Center. For 29 years, citizens have worked to protect the
park against inappropriate plans. We are responsible citizens respectfully
requesting a public meeting. Many people are shocked, upset, and mad, and see
the design as so harmful and wrong. We want to work together with you all to
forge a modification that will have a public consensus.
We are all caught in the middle because Governor McGreevey set up an
undemocratic process that had zero public meetings. The Friends had assumed
that the Design Jury would choose 6 finalist designs that would not block
sacred and powerful views. We had felt that the victims families choosing one
of the finalist designs was right, and we wouldnt be calling for public
meetings for any design that didnt block the sacred views.
Park users and the general public have the spiritual need and the American
right to have a dignified public meeting on this public Memorial in this
public park behind Lady Liberty.
State Senator State Bernard Kenny, Jr. stated "in and of itself, the
vista of lower Manhattan is a national shrine. This design robs present and
future generations of this national shrine, of the meaningful view of the
skyline. The design also cuts off the view of the Hudson River that was
so essential on Sept. 11th.
Its not too late. We feel we owe it to visitors from NJ, our nation and world,
to discuss design modifications that will lead to public approval and
consensus. We ask that victims families, with all the pain that you have, to
please support public input with patience and openness, based on your respect
for democracy, so that a design solution can be found that doesnt block the
national shrine of the skyline view.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Jersey Journal
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
When New York City selected a memorial and development project at the site of
the World's Trade Center Towers, public hearings were held to allow the people
to have a voice in the process. Yet, New Jersey avoided the open process while
preparing to construct a 9/11 memorial for Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
There are 30-foot high mounds of dirt piled at northeast edge of the most
popular park in the state. The mounds will become a 10-foot high grassy perch
for a memorial - called "Empty Sky" - featuring two 30-foot-high and
200-foot-long stainless steel walls with the names of those who perished in
the terrorist attacks.
Friends of Liberty State Park, the park advocacy group, has urged the state to
hold public hearings on the memorial site. Sam Pesin, president of the Friends
of Liberty State Park, says the group takes no stand either way on the
memorial wall itself. It does have reservations about the foundation hill,
which the group fears will block the level view of the river and Manhattan
skyline, a vital attraction at the park. (the 200 foot walls are planned for
the southern side of the hill; most of hill isn't part of foundation-Sam)
The idea for a memorial came out of former Gov. James E. McGreevey's office.
Relatives of those who died on Sept. 11 chose the winning design out of a
field of 320 entries ( a so-called expert panel of 9 people narrowed down the
320 entries to 8 designs and then the victims' families chose the winning
design). Preparation work is expected to be completed this week. The state
will then seek bids for construction of the memorial.
In the past, the state has avoided public hearings at the park. The most
obvious example was in the early 1990s when a decision was made to allow a
private marina to do business in the park. There were never any public
hearings on that for-profit venture on public property.
The state's most egregious example of avoiding public hearings came with a
project of a much greater scale, Xanadu, a mega-mall on the Meadowlands sports
complex land. There seems to be some aversion to basic American principles of
open government in New Jersey.
As for the park memorial, no one has said they are against it, although there
are concerns about views being blocked. These opinions should be aired at a
public session of the Department of Environmental Protection, the agency that
oversees state parks. In this case, it is the state's most important park. It
is one in close proximity to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and a
place that not only draws visitors from across the nation, but from around the
world.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
By BONNIE FRIEDMAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
A Jersey City lawmaker is hoping to avoid a repeat of the controversy brewing
over the state's 9/11 memorial planned for Liberty State Park by crafting
state legislation that would require holding public hearings before major
changes are approved for state parks.
Assemblyman Louis Manzo, D-Jersey City, drafted the legislation in response to
a recent uproar lodged by Friends of Liberty State Park, an advocacy group
critical of the memorial - or more precisely, the mound it sits on, which is
blocking views of Manhattan.
"Local residents should have a say with regard to the state parks they
pay for with their tax dollars and use as recreational outlets, just as they
do with the parks at the local level," Manzo said.
"In the instance of the 9/11 memorial at Liberty State Park, while it
appears to be unanimous that the memorial is desired, the public should be
able to chime in with reference to the nature of the construction as well as
its placement within the park."
Sam Pesin, president of Friends of Liberty State Park, praised Manzo's
initiative.
"As a champion of the public good, Assemblyman Manzo understands that the
people have the inherent right to express themselves on projects for publicly
owned land," he said.
Several members of Friends of Liberty State Park are expected to meet with
Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson in the next
couple of weeks, Pesin said.
The memorial - called "Empty Sky" - features two 30-foot-high and
200-foot-long stainless steel walls perched on a 10-foot-high grassy knoll.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NJDEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson
June 20 email on Jury ignoring Design
Criteria
Dear Lisa,
I hope that you had a relaxing weekend.
I haven't heard mostly mildly negative comments about the LSP Memorial Hill
blocking the views; since early April, I've heard very strong opinions
condemning it. Today, I ran into Neil Corbin, an African American senior who
has regularly attended the free JC Summerfest concerts for many years and he
was very angry about it. Our officers don't want to encourage a lot of people
to contact your office at this time by doing a mailing now to our membership
list, as I'm hoping for a meeting to successfully work out Hill modifications,
as was thankfully expressed at our meeting, but I'll ask a few people this
week to express themselves to you for a sampling of how unpopular the Hill is
among the people who love and use LSP and who know how integral the skyline
view is to Liberty State Park.
The jury clearly has ignored it's own criteria which mandated, on page 15 of
the Memorial Competition pdf http://www.state.nj.us/nj911memorial/nj911_rfp.pdf
" integration of the Memorial elements with New York City, New York Harbor (the river view is gone), Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Liberty State Park, the Memorial Tree Grove, Morris Canal and the State of New Jersey ( the historic CRRNJ Terminal wasn't even mentioned in this design criteria). "
"relevance to the history and location of the site."
Thanks for your continuing consideration of
the Memorial design process, so that a Memorial doesn't do such injustice to
LSP.
Respectfully yours,
Sam
Sam Pesin, president of The Friends of LSP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:
Colin Egan
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 12:58 AM
To: 'Lisa.Jackson@dep.state.nj.us'
Subject: Proposed 911 Memorial for Liberty State Park
Dear Commissioner Jackson:
I write to add my voice to those calling on the
State of New Jersey to uphold the high standard for public input that it set
during the debate over a golf course and waterpark in Liberty State Park by
scheduling a public hearing to discuss and comment on the proposed design of
the 911 memorial in the Park.
To those who suggest that such a hearing would
somehow be insensitive to the victims of 911 and their families, I
respectfully disagree. Quite the contrary, I believe that public
participation itself is a necessary part of any tribute to those who died in
an attack on America and the principles we stand for.
Like everyone who lived in Hudson County on
September 11, 2001, I bore witness to the death of the Twin Towers and nearly
3,000 people in them. I saw the look of shock and horror on the faces of
thousands who were part of the exodus up from our waterfront, heard the
unending wail of sirens racing through our streets, went to give blood, and
then, unable to do anything else, stared with inconsolable grief at the
unending column of smoke that rose through the sky where the Twin Towers had
stood just hours before. In the days that followed, I learned that two
people I knew had perished in the nightmare and a third had barely escaped,
and I helped organized a drive for relief supplies. A year later, I was
part of a committee that dedicated a 911 monument in Journal Square, Jersey
City, and have participated in commemorative services each September since.
Certainly then, I can never forget September
11, 2001 and understand why it is important that future generations not be
allowed to forget those who perished on that awful day. Neither I nor
anyone else I know disagrees that some kind of monument to the victims of 911
should be erected at Liberty State Park.
But as a life-long resident of Hudson County, I
also know and highly value the unique nature of Liberty State Park. From
the inception of the very idea for the Park, through the grass-roots struggle
that created it, to its symbolic as well as practical importance in the
renaissance of Jersey City's waterfront, down to the way it is used and
enjoyed today, Liberty Park has been and must remain truly a "people's
park".
It is therefore antithetical to the very
essence of Liberty State Park not to have public input when contemplating any
change that will radically alter the Park. And let there be no
misunderstanding on this point: By placing an earthen berm on the
shoreline next to the historic CNJ Terminal, the proposed design would impair
the ability of future generations to grasp the intrinsic connection between
the very existence of the land where the Park now stands and unfettered access
to the Hudson River and Manhattan beyond. In doing this, the berm would
detract from appreciation of the Park's historical role as the first
destination for many of the new immigrants coming from Ellis Island, and also
the important part the Park played in the history and economy of the Port of
New York. And by blocking the view of the New York skyline at the point
where it is closest to Liberty Park, the proposed berm would forever
compromise the people's experience and enjoyment of that vital portion of the
Park.
The people who died on 911 were the victims of
an attack on our free and democratic society. They must be honored at
Liberty State Park, but we owe it to them to do so through a process and
design that keeps faith with the spirit of "the people's park".
Please schedule a public meeting to discuss
plans for a 911 memorial in Liberty State Park at a date and time that will
give maximum opportunity to the residents of Jersey City and all the citizens
of our state to share their thoughts, concerns and comments.
Thank you for your consideration.
Colin Egan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: William Price
To: "Sam Pesin" <pesinliberty@earthlink.net>
Subject: 911 memorial
Date: Wed, 31 May 2006 17:02:58 -0400
Sam,
After reading the Jersey article I had to go down to the Terminal at LSP to
see what the fuss was about. Well, you are right before its too late
something needs to be modified. This mound of dirt is lost in the artist
rendering, probably the intent. I can understand why this monstrosity
suddenly appeared, its been a long winter without the Park. Because the view(
million dollar) on the cobblestone road has been destroyed. The Empty
Sky concept is lost by the presence of the mound of dirt. It's time to
stop.
What will happen to our summer concert series? Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from an email from a handicapped person who loves the park
Well here is my feeling on the subject. I have been a regular to LSP since it
opened. When they opened the north end where the memorial is being placed it
became my favorite section. Being handicapped and not able to walk more than a
short distance it was nice to be able to park close to the waterfront where I
could see a great view. It was nice to walk to the benches at the walkway. Now
some days I have a much harder time walking to the waterfront so I enjoyed
being able to at least park up front, open the windows and still be able to
sit there and see the NYC skyline. Now all I can see if I can't get out of the
car is a large mound of dirt. I believe the memorial could have been placed
elsewhere in the park since they want to place it on a high mound. I'm happy
they will build a memorial but just want to see it somewhere else. It also
makes the walkway look so much smaller.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Ruth Conrad"
I am just through watching a History Channel presentation of the WWII
memorial dedication . I was very much impressed by the design, which was
done by an Austrian architect. He explained, that even though it is in the
middle of mall in DC, he made sure that it was not interfering with the
two focal points at either end of the mall. It is a beautifully thought out
design in the classic style. Even though it is a massive memorial in the
middle of the mall, it does not detract or spoil the view of the two
focal points of the mall, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Ruth
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Thomas J Bragen
To: lisa.jackson@dep.state.nj.us
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2006 09:09:38 -0400
Subject: 9/11 Memorial at Liberty State Park
Commissioner Jackson,
I was shocked to learn that the Memorial planned for
the 9/11 Tragedy would be built as close as possible
to the shoreline and in that way block the view of the
New York Harbor. I wasn't sure what to expect when
I went there two weeks ago and sure enough it was
there and will be no different than the Berlin Wall. A
memorial is not meant to distract you and separate
you from where the tragedy took place, but it does just
that. I doubt if you were there lately to see the height
of the mound and what it has and will do to the feelings
of those who will be visiting the Park. Certainly, a memorial
should be there but not this one. To block the view of the
New York Skyline is not what any of those who lost their
life would want. There are more appropriate places to put
the memorial and this is not the place for this one. Take a
poll of the people who come here often and who sit and walk
the Park like I do and see what they think about this. Common
sense would tell you to stop, take it down and select a better
site for it. We have other areas that would be just as appropriate
and not as offensive as this one. Tom Bragen cell 201-725-4742
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Roberta Murdoch
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2006 17:53:43 EDT
Subject: 9/11 Memorial Placement
To: pesinliberty@earthlink.net
Hi Sam,
A while back I visited LSP and saw for the
first time that tremendous pile of earth where the planned memorial is to
stand. What a disappointment to see how it blocked and actually
concealed the view to Manhattan and particularly over to the WTC area.
But I figured it was temporary in preparation for the work on the memorial.
But now, after a couple more trips to LSP, I
feel that The Hill and the memorial design should not in any way block the
view from LSP to the all-important NYC/WTC area. To properly memorialize
9/11, and to be consistent with LSP's waterfront and skyline vistas, wouldn't
it be more meaningful if it was a ground level structure with unobstructed
views towards Ground Zero, the design and placement of which should easily
draw the eye and conscience of LSP visitors over to the sacred ground.
Roberta
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 21
Dear Commissioner Lisa Jackson,
You probably saw this story on the revision of the NYC 9/11 Memorial. There
were NYC public meetings, and even this revision will have public comment.
I request that you don't lift the freeze on the bidding process for the LSP
9/11 Memorial, and to please notify the Friends through my email address if
there is any contemplation of lifting the freeze, before any welcomed and
anticipated discussion on a compromise revision plan and subsequent bringing
of the revised plan to the public, which wants this Memorial to be a powerful
legacy, and not a monumental ruination of the Public Trust skyline and river
views.
Sam Pesin, pres. of Friends of LSP
You are probably thinking, “what an odd thing to say”, when people
generally find a way to honor the memories of the 9/11 victims, their
families, and the event itself. But that is not what is happening in New
Jersey. Once again, Liberty State Park has been drawn into the heart of a
controversy with another “project” that bastardizes the Park’s purpose,
this time with a memorial dedicated to the 9/11 victims, that will block the
public’s most significant view of the NY skyline.
Rather than creating a memorial that is in keeping with and will complement
the purpose of the Park, and give honor to the victims of 9/11, and
memorialize that day, an architect’s design was chosen that will, instead,
become a blemish on the spectacular landscape of the Park, and dishonor the
victims of the tragedy. The chosen design inappropriately deforms the
Park, by turning the Park itself into a 9/11 memorial, rather than integrating
it into the Park, consistent with its purpose, and what the Park is truly for.
Among other things, the Park is first and foremost a memorial to our ancestors
who came through this incredible gateway to begin their lives, and our
lives, in America.
I am sure that if the victims of 9/11 could be asked whether they wanted to be
remembered this way, to have their deaths and memories be the core for such
controversy and damage to the Park, I am sure they would not. No one
would. And if the people who knew the victims, family and friends,
really searched their heart and soul to answer that question, they would
agree. But the view of a small group of people, some who have no
connection whatsoever to the victims, or their families (and apparently
influenced by the selfish ego of the architect (not artist) who designed the
memorial), seem to not even take this into consideration, and excluded from
participation the Friends of Liberty State Park, who has stood vigilant over
the Park and protected it for years. The question must be asked, who is
the memorial for and what is its purpose?
Another thing that seems to escape the consideration of those involved in the
decision making process, is that we are all victims of the 9/11
tragedy. We all suffered that day, so any plan for a memorial should not
just consider those that died, but all those that are still alive. And
destroying the Park with the planned memorial does nothing for those that
died, except to stain their memories. And it certainly does nothing for
those of us who are still living, except to stain our present and future.
Certainly a memorial of some type is appropriate, to mark the location and
role the park served during the 9/11 tragedy. But the size of the
memorial should not be used as a measure of the degree to which the victims
and the attack are remembered. In this case, size does matter, and
smaller is better.
In various parts of New Jersey, there are plaques, sometimes small ones, that
are located on buildings, or a simple granite slab, and there are sometimes
even less elaborate markers used, pointing out that area’s historical
significance, perhaps memorializing the path that George Washington’s troops
took during the war of independence. What events could possibly have
more significance than those that founded this country? Yet these
memorials are small in size in comparison to the representation of what they
stand for. Indeed, a large bronze plaque is located on a slab of granite
just as you enter the city of New Brunswick, at the foot of Johnson &
Johnson’s property, which describes the tremendous role and significance
that New Brunswick played during the war. It is not a huge monument that
draws attention to it, and you can only read it if you are on foot.
Again, there probably can be no greater memorial created than that for the
efforts used to found this county. But the breadth and expanse of its
significance is beyond what any physical structure can possibly represent.
And as you read the words on the plaque, you realize that it is only in the
unlimited landscape of our minds, and it is only with our mind’s eye that we
can see the true significance of those events. And so too, is the only
way to truly memorialize the victims of 9/11 at Liberty State Park.
There is no reason why all persons concerned cannot be satisfied. An
appropriately sized memorial could be located at the site in question that
does not obscure the view, and marks the significance the Park played at that
time in our history. A larger structure, if necessary, could be
contemplated for location at a part of the Park that does not offend the
Park’s purpose.
Remember, Liberty State Park is the gateway to America. It is the most
significant Park in New Jersey, and among the most significant parks in the
country. It is also an oasis in the midst of one of the most densely
populated, highly urbanized parts of this country, and it acts as a refuge for
many people from the area, to escape from the hard stone, steel, glass and
heat that makes up our cities; and lastly it is a tourist attraction for
visitors from around the world to see the origins of this country. The
significance of the Park, its history, its proximity to the Statute of
Liberty, and Ellis Island, is what the attraction is. The role it served
in the 9/11 attack is a small part of its history and its significance, and
the fact that it was there and able to support the rescue efforts points out
just how significant the Park is – as Liberty State Park.
But its use and participation in that event does not give license to turn the
Park into a 9/11 memorial. The park is not a memorial for
that tragedy, nor should it be made into one. The best attitude is to
simply leave Liberty State Park alone. Let it be what it is best at
being -- a park for all the people – and the jewel of New Jersey.
I would encourage readers to attend an open public meeting sponsored by The
Friends of Liberty State Park to be held on August 16, 2006 at 6:30 pm at
Liberty State Park. Please visit http://www.folsp.org
for more information.
Marc Liebeskind
Highland Park,
Formerly of Bayonne, New Jersey.
Former President of Bayonne Citizens for Clean Air.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Jersey Journal
30 Journal Square
Jersey City , NJ 07306
Dear Mr. Torres,
Upon revisiting Liberty State Park, the gem of New Jersey, I was shocked and
outraged when I saw what is happening to the area next to the train terminal
in order to build a memorial for the unfortunate victims who died in the 9/11
tragedy.
We all want a meaningful and appropriate memorial for the victims, but putting
up gigantic stainless steel walls and a hill along the waterfront which
takes away much of the view of the river and its activities, the scene of
lower Manhattan and its skyline, plus Ground Zero, is wrong. Those open views
across the Hudson River, which in themselves are a memorial to the victims,
should be accessible without having to walk up an incline.
It is for views like that which makes Liberty Park so unique, dramatic, and
attractive to people from all places and walks of life. Not only would this
memorial design be extraordinarily expensive and a waste of taxpayers’
money, it will be an eyesore.
All of this was planned without conferring with the people who use and love
the park and who may have some better ideas as where and what to do as a
memorial without ruining the historic feel of the park and its train terminal
building.
A public hearing should be mandated and the voice of the People should be
heard and discussed. This whole project should be thought over more carefully
before anything as important as this is done. If hurried through, it would
lead to losing irreplaceable views.
If this approved plan is completed, I can almost hear the late President
Ronald Reagan saying, as he told Mr. Gorbachev in Berlin, “Governor Corzine,
tear down these walls.”
Sincerely,
Ethel G. Lawner, MD
Westfield
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Governor Corzine
I realize that the victims' families need closure and I want to be
sensitive to their need for that but I resent being held hostage to that need.
I realize they will be visiting it from time to time much as they would a
cemetery or mausoleum but we live here. If things were handled this
way after the bombings during the London Blitz (WWII) or in modern day
Israel or Northern Ireland, no one would be able to walk anywhere.
I am all for a Memorial, just something less obtrusive. I worked in
downtown Manhattan for a number of years and still commute daily.
I was working in midtown that day and unable to escape until late afternoon.
Most of the buses were diverted to Hoboken and Liberty State Park to
transport survivors to local hospitals. Who would have thought there
would be no one to take? I walked home. I stopped and watched
downtown burn from Palisades Avenue in the Jersey City Heights. I was
not alone. Entire families watched in horror I almost lost a
brother and a cousin that day. Some of my friends living here were less
fortunate.
So many people here still depend on NYC for a living we might as well be
another borough. We know many bodies were never recovered and understand
that is why the families of the victims need a place to come to. We
want to reach out to them and make them feel at home, but this is our
backyard. We are happy to host grieving guests but this is our home.
Our thoughts and feelings should not be discounted. By our very
proximity to this event, we were all burned, whether we were working in
"The City" or not; whether we lost a loved one there or not.
Shouldn't we have a say?
And for those of you who say there is plenty of skyline to spare in Liberty
State Park, that is not the point. If you lived here, you would know
that Jersey City may be called the Gold Coast but frankly, outside of downtown
and the waterfront, where all the development is taking place, life is not so
golden. The majority of the residents in other sections are low to
middle class working stiffs struggling to pay escalating property taxes and
rents. We can't afford to go away for vacation - most of us
"go away" to Liberty State Park. There is precious little open
space left here in Jersey City. We residents are all fighting over use
of it. Don't start messing with the one place here that we all agree on.
Respectfully,
Linda D'Esposito, Jersey City
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VANDALS AT LIBERTY
"On a recent trip to Liberty State Park I noticed that vandals have dumped a huge pile of dirt on the riverfront just north of the Jersey Central building. I asked a passerby who put the pile of dirt there and was told it has to do with a 9/11 memorial. Of course, I didn't believe him. I reasoned that even a worthy cause such as a 9/11 memorial would require public approval, and that no proper public procedure would approve anything that destroyed the open sight lines that are LSP's grandeur. I reasoned further that those who wish to honor victims of a terrible tragedy would seek harmony with water, sky and earth, not dominance.
"If you haven't seen the mess out there at LSP you should go look. From behind the pile of dirt you can't see the river. You can just barely make out the spires of Manhattan buildings and the tops of masts sailing by. Mostly you just feel like you're at Shea Stadium sitting behind a pole.
"I've heard of cases where vandals who dumped stuff were caught when the authorities found old envelopes or rent receipts in their trash. Maybe the LSP authorities could dig through the dirt and come up with evidence that will make that pile go away."
- Dan North, Jersey City-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What have you done to my park?”
They were the first words I spoke when seeing the mound of encased dirt that took away the breath-taking views of the New York Skyline.
This mound is massive, extending visually, left, from the skyscraper with the patina-pointed spire to the tip of Manhattan Island. When looking left, from the right, that patina and the only other green-pointed spire, near the Winter Garden, are seen. No Empire State Building. No Citibank building. NOTHING.
I don’t care that the 22 feet of dirt settled into 15 feet, which will settle into 10 feet, before “Empty Sky” fills the Skyline. It is an ugly platform for an ugly monument.
“Empty Sky” actually *fills* the sky with two huge slabs jutting upward. It is *not* beautiful and delicate, like the two blue lights that have shone, mimicking the lost towers. And adding those blue lights to this so-called memorial does not make it any less foreboding.
I won’t settle for losing the Grand Plaza: where people gathered before entering this historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, taking in the breezes along the Hudson River; and where classic cars and other exhibits were displayed and musical acts performed during the 2002 & 2003 Jersey Central Railroad Heritage Festivals – of which I was employed part-time as fundraiser, co-producer and promoter.
I won’t settle for *any* monument obstructing, obliterating and obscuring the beautiful architecture of the historic railroad terminal.
And “Empty Sky,” which is adjacent to the railroad terminal, still *fills* the sky.
What’s even more incredulous – the historic marker describing the CRRNJ Terminal on Liberty Walk faces the magnificent brick building, yet the terminal CANNOT BE SEEN. “Empty Sky” destroys its view.
Built in 1889, the CRRNJ Terminal served the many “tired, poor huddled masses” coming from Ellis Island to board passenger railroads that populated our great country’s expanses of land. When did the historic railroad terminal cease to be a *monument*, in and of itself…???
“What have you done to my park?”
No matter who is talking about Liberty State Park – whether it’s a park-lover or an advertisement for the Liberty Jazz Festival – the comments always include, “with views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York Skyline.”
Why, in the world, would those bureaucrats entrusted to Liberty State Park sacrifice the New York Skyline while, at the same time, use it as a promotional come-on?
That’s the equivalent of ‘biting the hand that feeds you’…and just as ridiculous, when the hands feeding and the mouths biting come from the same creature.
Now… What *will* you do to my park?
You will remove this monstrosity of a dirt mound. You will *not* erect this outsized and ill-conceived monument. You will re-build the Grand Plaza.
There already *is* a monument at Liberty State Park commemorating those who perished on 9/11. It is called the Grove of Remembrance. Its shady area is simpatico with the mission of Liberty State Park, so that it remains a “free and *green* urban state park.”
The Grove of Remembrance is the perfect *monument* at Liberty State *Park* to contemplate the severity of that horrific event and the souls of those who lost their lives that day.
Michele Dupey
Jersey City
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to DEP
Commissioner's July 27 letter stating that she decided to complete the
memorial - without waiting for the Aug. 16 Public Meeting. In the letter, she
falsely states there was an "open process". There were open design
competition orientation meetings but no public meetings !
This is why we urge the public to tell the Governor to revise or relocate this
design or let public comment on 6 finalist designs. This design will ruin the
most important part of LSP, the views of NYC and the river, from the area near
the cornerstone of LSP, the CRRNJ Terminal. The Governor should listen to the
voice of the people who use and love Liberty State Park and say No to this
design.
NJDEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Commissioner Lisa
Jackson,
July 28, 2006
The Friends disagrees with your decision to refuse a public meeting and to
support this memorial design 3 weeks before the Friends public meeting. We'll
ask the Gov., as you'll understand, to listen to public input and review your
decision.
You stated that there was an "open process". That is
totally false. To be honest, Commissioner, it is a big lie. The Star
Ledger story (7/28) repeats this big lie, "State officials yesterday
disputed claims that the public didn't have a chance to comment on the design.
They said there was ample opportunity for comment, including public meetings
in 2004". There was absolutely no public meeting or public comment period
on the 8 finalists for this major project in this urban state park.
There were open design competition orientation meetings for those who
wanted to submit a design. A design competition orientation meeting is not a
public meeting on the finalists. There was no public meeting at all after the
"expert jury" picked 8 designs from 320.
I went, as Friends president, to one design competition meeting to hear what
the state officials were telling the potential designers about Liberty State
Park and the criteria (this design fails the criterion about it being
integrated into LSP), and I went specifically to clearly tell the DEP
"Jury" representative on behalf of The Friends, that a design
selection must not block the lower Manhattan skyline views. It was assumed
that the Jury, especially with a DEP representative on it, would never include
a finalist for the Plaza that blocks the views. Secondarily, as a private
citizen I went to that one design competition orientation meeting thinking
that I may enter a personal, simple drawing and a brief description for a low
wall right next to the Hudson River railing for victims' names, and a lawn,
flowers, bushes, and benches on the Plaza. I heard about the technical
professional requirements for submissions, and so didn't submit.
But, again, an open design competition orientation meeting is not a public
meeting at LSP on the 8 finalists or on this design.
To be honest, your decision letter, 3 weeks before the Friends Aug. 16th
public meeting, violates the spirit of democracy. Your decision, 3 weeks
before a public meeting will have the certain effect of discouraging and
stifling public input. The DEP decision will cause many people to feel that
it's not worth their time to attend a public meeting or to write to Trenton
because you already made the decision and the Governor might not have the
courage to veto this decision that the public didn't participate in at all.
The DEP should have told the victims' families that this major, tax-payer
funded project in a state park should have public input and that it is hoped
that they would be patient so that park users and anyone else would not be
excluded and could provide input. You know the Friends officers are very aware
of the pain of victims' families, but it was a wrong process to give the
victims' families
the whole decision on the 8 finalists (though the blame of course must go on
the "jury" who included this design) and it is also wrong for the
DEP in June to have given the victims' families such a major say in whether
there should be revisions in the design or public input that may lead to
revisions. You said that the architect was at the 6/14 meeting; he of course
didn't want any changes.
We had believed that victims' families would support public input and listen
to park users' views on the design because we felt that they, more than anyone
else, would support democracy being practiced when they learned that park
users wanted to have input because of serious and legitimate concerns about
the design's impact. There should be no rush to complete such an
important memorial without public input, because this memorial is being left
for future generations.
In replying to your discussing the affected views: Before the Hill
existed, people within several hundred feet of the river were able to see the
powerful and meaningful entire view of the skyline and river - from the North
Field lawn, on the very moving approach on the road and from the parking area
as people walked toward the Plaza. People would be taking in this dramatic
view, that got more powerful, the closer one got to the river. That view,
as many people have said for 5 years, was the best memorial to 9/11, seeing
the empty skyline. People should not have to walk up or around a 10 foot
Hill or walk through 200 foot long walls to see the sacred view of downtown
NYC. Your approving this specific design does not "protect this
magnificent resource for future generations."
If the LSP Public Advisory Commission was still in existence, there would have
been a public forum to gather input on this issue.
The Friends got the approval for our Aug. 16 public meeting because the state
hasn't provided one. We hope in Sept., after the Governor and you review
public input, that a DEP public meeting and comment period will occur and lead
to revising this design or reviewing the 8 finalists with the goal of a
consensus getting 2-3 designs for victims' families to choose from.
Everyone supports a memorial but ruining the "national shrine" view
from the closest, most meaningful place in LSP is wrong. Making a
decision without seeking public input is wrong and unfair. This design
separates, instead of connects us to where the tragedy took place. I hope that
you and the Governor will give the common courtesy, the respect, to park users
by listening.
Sincerely,
Sam Pesin
president of The Friends of Liberty State Park
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, August 28, 2006
Letters to the Editor
The Jersey Journal
The New Jersey 911 Memorial that is to be located in Liberty State Park will
forever build a wall between New Jersey and New York. The design entitled
"Empty Sky" will fill the sky with reflective stainless steel and is
more a memorial to the architect than to the over 700 New Jersey victims of
911.
The location chosen by the McGreevey administration will forever mar Liberty
State Park, as the memorial will be situated at the busiest corner of the park
next to the historic railroad terminal and has taken away the public commons
where many free concerts, cultural festivals and other public events where
held. This area is now gone from the public, to be replaced with two
30-foot-tall 200-foot-long stainless walls embedded into a 10-foot hill.
The view from the west side of the memorial blocks out New York City by 100
percent, this violates the states mandate for what the memorial was suppose to
do, harmonize with the park, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and
maintain the view. If we are to honor the victims of 911 we must forever
preserve the view and not block it out of sight; it in itself is a memorial to
all of us.
There are other places in the park better suited for a serene memorial
atmosphere that will honor the victims than the current location. We urge New
Jerseyans to stand up and do not let a second tragedy happen to us.
JAMES O'CONNOR COMMODORE, LIBERTY YACHT CLUB JERSEY CITY
Home In Tribute Grove of Remembrance Dedication Speech
JJ 7/31/06 Story JC Reporter 7/28/06 Story SL 7/28/06 Story Rethink Design JJ Editorial
JC Reporter 8/20/06 Story
SL 8/17/06 Story JJ
8/18/06 Story JJ 8/26/06
Max & Ruth Elasser's Letter
