NEW YORK—After revealing to the public the costly delay in the construction of the World Trade Center, the Alliance for Downtown New York issued a statement early Tuesday.
The statement issued by Elizabeth H. Berger, president of the Downtown Alliance, admitted the slow progress made in developing the area devastated by the 2001 terrorist attacks. The comments however, stopped short of directly criticizing the Port Authority, who is overseeing the construction. Berger's comments especially lauded Chris Ward, the Port Authority's executive director.
"Chris Ward has taken an important first step in identifying and acknowledging the problems," said Berger in the statement. "Rather than play a blame game, he has opened the doors and invited the principal stakeholders in to plan the future together."
Berger's praise for Ward comes in large contrast with public opinion after news of the costly multimillion dollar delay was relayed across the country. Allegations that the Port Authority kept the news secret from the public only fanned the flames.
Public opinion about the situation was swift and harsh on some fronts.
In an interview conducted by The Epoch Times, Joseph Asare, a 45 year-old salesman from the Bronx said he thinks the situation is "getting out of hand" and that he thinks federal authorities should step in.
Internet users also fumed at the news and issued sharp criticism at Port Authority officials. Blogs filled with venomous attacks were directed at the slow rate of construction. One user described the delay as "yet another classic example of political expediency."
"Low and behold, some of the worst project managers given prior performance and now [they are] overseeing this project," said another blogger.
Despite the public outcry, Berger's statement sounded out a glint of optimism. She describes the importance of acknowledging the Port Authority's fault and hints at hopes of public cooperation and public forgiveness.
"New Yorkers are famous for rising to the occasion when faced with adversity," says Berger. "No where is this more true than in Lower Manhattan, and at no time was this more true than on September 11."
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