Res. No. 586
Resolution calling on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to reenter into negotiations with St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in an effort to have the church rebuilt after being destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
By Council Members Vallone Jr., Comrie, Fidler, Vacca, Halloran and Oddo
Whereas, On September 11, 2001, a horrific terrorist attack upon the World Trade Center (WTC) in lower Manhattan resulted in tremendous loss of life and destroyed the Twin Towers along with other large office buildings in lower Manhattan; and
Whereas, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (St. Nicholas Church), founded in 1916 by Greek immigrants, was located at 155 Cedar Street across from the South Tower and was completely destroyed on September 11, 2001; and
Whereas, St. Nicholas Church not only served its parishioners, but served as a spiritual place for residents, workers and visitors in lower Manhattan; and
Whereas, The WTC Master Plan approved in 2005 includes development of a Vehicle Security Center which would be constructed on the land where St. Nicholas Church stood before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; and
Whereas, Negotiations between St. Nicholas Church and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) pertaining to the new location, size and funding for construction of a new St. Nicholas Church have been ongoing over the last few years without reaching a land deal for the new church; and
Whereas, In July 2008, the Port Authority and St. Nicholas Church reached a tentative agreement that allowed a new church to be rebuilt on a portion of the parcel occupied by 130 Liberty Street, near the WTC site, while St. Nicholas Church's former location at 155 Cedar Street, would be conveyed to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC); and
Whereas, LMDC would transfer 155 Cedar Street, 140 Liberty Street and a portion of 130 Liberty Street to the Port Authority to construct the Vehicle Security Center; and
Whereas, Under the agreement, the Port Authority would pay St. Nicholas Church $20 million to rebuild the church, and an additional $20 million to construct the infrastructure needed to support the church on top of the Vehicle Security Center; and
Whereas, According to an article in the New York Times dated March 18, 2009, the agreement between the Port Authority and St. Nicholas Church never came to a resolution; and
Whereas, The above-referenced article reported that the Port Authority stated that St. Nicholas Church wanted more money than what was offered by the Port Authority, further delaying construction of the Vehicle Security Center and leading the Port Authority to end negotiations with St. Nicholas Church; and
Whereas, The above-referenced article also reported that the Port Authority limited the size of the new St. Nicholas Church and would not provide the plans for the Vehicle Security Center for St. Nicholas Church's review, and in addition, St. Nicholas Church wanted the full $20 million provided by the Port Authority in one payment rather than in stages; and
Whereas, St. Nicholas Church still holds the right to rebuild on its original location; and
Whereas, Although the Port Authority and St. Nicholas Church have not reached a final agreement, and have not even discussed the matter in over a year, both entities are believed to be willing to reach an agreement; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to reenter into negotiations with St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in an effort to have the church rebuilt after being destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
PM
LS# 1579
11/4/10