‘At Ground Zero’

John M. Bridgeland’s column “At Ground Zero” fails to address the main objection with the International Freedom Center at ground zero: Who will control the exhibits? [Opinion, September 23, 2005].

I can hear the debate now: People offended by an exhibit that is critical of the United States will scream outrage, while sponsors of the exhibit will say their right to free speech is what America and “freedom” are all about.

Ground zero is not the place for debate; it is a site for a simple memorial before which visitors pay silent tribute to those who died on September 11, 2001.

A further problem with a freedom center: This being America, it will need a gift shop and cafe. Do we really want to sip cappuccino where nearly 2,750 people died?

JAMES VESCOVI
Manhattan

The Twin Towers

Re: “At Ground Zero,” John M. Bridgeland, Opinion, September 23, 2005

John M. Bridgeland is quite right when he says that what we do at that site tells us something important about our country’s long term response to tragedy.

He notes there is now opportunity for civic renewal and that the site will always be a place of mourning. It can be much more – a call to life and rebuilt in the spirit of the American way of being as well.

I believe three towers must be erected. While perhaps differing in height, each is taller than before. Designed with spacious offices and housing thereby having fewer inhabitants than before, they must include ground level memorials for the deceased that are meaningful for their survivors. There must be civic memorials from New York City, New York State, and the USA as well.

Tower I – The new home of the United Nations. It has been long recognized that the current home of the United Nations is inadequate. We need to make the world more welcome in our city once again. Such a move would also give international status and protection to the World Trade Center site. Floor assignments might be made by lottery. The roof is home to a heliport exclusively for use by heads of state. Visits are easier/safer for them, their staff, and us locals.

The former United Nations site is placed under the auspices of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. Shared equally by the City University of New York and the New York City public school systems, after conversion, these subsidized residences are offered to attract new faculty only. It is “first five years” housing for any new hire to have the time to acclimate to the city while adjusting to their new professional role. We can recruit sorely needed new teachers from national and international markets – a recruiting bonanza for educating this city’s youth in the 21st century.

Tower II – New residential housing. Offered as single family per floor condominiums, these luxury residences can be can be priced at levels like those recently seen for celebrity housing at a minimum of $25 million each. The revenue from the 100 or so units all sold on bid could significantly offset the costs of restoring the entire WTC site. The roof is home to a traffic control center coordinating our three main area airports’ traffic-control centers and, to a lesser extent, Eastern Seaboard air traffic.

Tower III – Commercial office space. Offered to businesses and government agencies willing to return and pay a market rent (discounted or subsidized for the first five years). Rent any remaining space at current commercial market rates. The roof is home to an observatory much like on the Empire State Building. Initially, visiting times and their duration are fixed and monitored for all visitors. No restaurants or entertainment until later.

The new home of the World Trade Centers must be about ending our humiliation and fostering renewal of our dreams. There must be something for everyone – an offering with more beneficial attributes we can all buy into with pride. It is not too late.

This endeavor is about taking a tragic situation and, healing forward in a new and creative way, the spirit of our city and nation. We need meaningful choices, ones with real distinctions to consider. It is not too late. All eyes of the world are still upon us – let us show them and ourselves our resolve.

J.DAVID LICHTENTHAL
Manhattan
Mr. Lichtenthal, MBA, Ph.D., is a professor of marketing at the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College of the City University of New York. He is the editor of the Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing and senior editor of the Foundation Series of Business Marketing.

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