Next Friday is the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, yet several planned memorials to the victims have been stalled because of state and local budget issues.
In one case, Hoboken’s planned $4 million memorial to its 50-plus victims was scrapped because of that city’s vast budget problems. But the bigger issue is in Jersey City’s Liberty State Park, where a proposed statewide memorial to New Jersey’s approximately 700 victims is only in its beginning stages and has caused controversy.
This memorial is currently just a hill, and people around the state have complained that it should be moved before further work is done because it will block views of the NYC skyline. Our newspaper chain (www.hudsonreporter.com) has received numerous protest letters over the year, some in recent weeks.
Nevertheless, the state says they plan to push on with construction. And the memorial committee is planning to remember the victims at this site on Friday, for the first time in five years:
“As we approach the eight anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, we would like to invite you to a reception at the site of the State of New Jersey’s September 11 Memorial in Liberty State Park, in Jersey City, New Jersey. The event will begin at 1:30 pm inside the Railroad Terminal adjacent to the memorial site. There will be music, light refreshments and opening remarks.
“We are pleased to announce that Phase 2 construction of the memorial including the amphitheatre sloped towards Ground Zero that has been completed. The grounds of the memorial site will be open to the public on September 11th. This will mark the first time we have had a gathering of family and friends of the memorial since the groundbreaking in 2004.
“We look forward to seeing you and showing you the progress we are making.
“Best wishes on behalf of the family of friends of the State of NJ September 11 Memorial.”
The State of NJ 9/11 Memorial is located next to the CRRNJ Terminal Building in Liberty State Park .