New York Businesses Wary Of Proposed Tight Security At Ground Zero Site

August 12, 2008 9:10 a.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - A 36-page presentation made by top-ranking police officials proposes tight security measures at the soon-to-be-rebuilt Ground Zero. The area will be declared a security zone.

It will limit entry to specially screened cabs, limousines and vehicles which will pass scrutiny at barriers established by police officers at five entry points.

In addition, a dozen security kiosks would be set up at street corners with high pedestrian or car traffic, while the western section of Church Street would be reserved for emergency vehicles.

The tight zone contrasts with planners' vision of a rebuilt World Trade Center complete with vibrant street life characterized by distinctive buildings, stores and cultural institutions.

Paul Browne, deputy police commissioner for public information, said the proposed tight security seeks to stop a third terrorist attack on the 16-acre site. But he assured it would have negligible effect on traffic and pedestrians.

Among the new features of the police security plan for Manhattan are taking photos of all cars entering the zone and scanning license plates. The data will be stored for at least one month, Browne said.

Business owners in the area supported safety measures, but pushed for a friendlier environment for workers and visitors. Julie Menin, chairwoman of Community Board 1 which covers Ground Zero, told the New York Times she doesn't want a repeat of New York Stock Exchange post-9/11 security, which closed seven small business the first year.

A Ground Zero memorial was originally scheduled to open on 2011, the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center attack. But New York Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward admitted the memorial will not be completed and open to the public on the target date. He attributed the delay to escalating cost which has gone up to $650 million from $530 million, bureaucratic procedures and turf wars.