Letters to the editor

To The Editor:

I recently wrote an editorial explaining my concerns that overactive preservation will slow or alter redevelopment of the World Trade Center (Talking Point, April 9-15, “Don’t let preservation delay W.T.C. redevelopment”) and two people have responded to this editorial, leaving me more concerned about the prospects for development.

Mr. Lustbader, a preservation consultant explains that the State Historic Preservation Office is advisory and has a track record of balancing preservation and development (Letters, “W.T.C. preservation” by Ken Lustbader, April 16 –22). This is assuring until he declares that all of the items are “obviously historical,” without any discussion of the specific items which I questioned. What experience has the SHiPO had in evaluating cities that have been destroyed in acts of war? Has anyone from the SHiPO worked with the British as they rebuilt London after the W.W. II bombing? Or perhaps they’ve studied the preservation procedures used in Dresden when it was fire bombed to the ground. Both of these cities were far more destroyed with far greater loss of life and both have been rebuilt. Were the rebuilders negotiating with historians at these sites?

Last week, Mr. Gardner from the Coalition of 9/11 Families claimed that I want no historic preservation and that I am, like a Holocaust denier, trying to forget 9/11 (Talking Point by Anthony Gardner, April 23-29, “Preserving history, preventing delays at the W.T.C.”). He apparently didn’t read enough of my piece to realize that I was distinguishing between the items that truly communicated the story of 9/11 from those which are simply remnants on the fringe of the destruction being used as real estate markers to stop development. The Lower Manhattan Development Corp. has already set aside an expansive area for memorial and preservation. Mr. Gardener, without specifying the acreage, hopes that the agreement will protect further elements comprising as much as 10 of the original 16 acres from development. It’s hard to see how preventing development on most of the site will enhance revitalization.

I have the great pleasure of being on the Memorial Center Advisory Board, as Mr. Gardner says. My resume is not that of my fellow board members, but I have pushed since 9/11 for a development plan for the W.T.C. that remembers the past, respects the deceased, and supports the rebirth of Downtown. I’ve always felt that the commercial elements should be integrated with historical elements to remind us of the temporal nature of our lives and as a warning of the boundless destruction caused by hate. Those who died on 9/11 cannot be allowed to pass in vain. I hope that the board’s work will lead to a center that touches visitors in unexpected ways, that inspires them to look more deeply into their own nature, and to find ways to promote harmony among humans. While there will certainly be disagreement on the panel, I have already found the process to be both inspiring and educational. I am honored to sit down in conference with these people for W.T.C. Memorial discussions.

David Stanke

Hopsital tower