Port Authority to finance Garden State memorial

Real Estate Weekly, Dec 1, 2004

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners has authorized an agreement with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury for the operation of a World Trade Center memorial. Under the agreement, the Port Authority would provide $7 million to be used in connection with the establishment of the memorial, which is expected to be located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

Acting New Jersey Governor Richard J. Codey said, "This memorial will help us to preserve, respect and honor the memory of our fallen New Jerseyans--for us today and for every generation to come. As we continue to move forward from our shared tragedy, it is our hope that this memorial will help us heal while serving as a fitting tribute to our loved ones."

Port Authority chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, "The Port Authority is honored to participate in the creation of New Jersey's September 11 Memorial because it will help us to pay respects to many of our own: More than half of the 84 members of the Port Authority family who were lost on September 11, 2001 lived in New Jersey, and it is appropriate that they be honored in their home state."

Construction of the memorial, expected to cost $10.5 million, will begin next year. Completion is expected by early 2006.

The New Jersey September 11, 2001 Memorial Design Competition was launched last year. Architect Frederick Schwartz, who created a design entitled "Empty Sky," was unanimously selected as the winner after an open, year-long review process by a committee of families and members of the arts community.

"Empty Sky" will consist of two brushed stainless steel walls, 30 feet high and 200 feet long. The names of every New Jersey resident killed in the terrorist attacks will be engraved on the walls. Photos of the winning design are available online at www.nj.gov/ nj911memorial/winner.html.