Governor George E. Pataki and members of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation today joined families of September 11th victims to unveil tribute panels on a viewing wall at the World Trade Center site, listing the names of all those lost in the World Trade Center attacks. The first section of the 13-foot high wall has been erected along Church Street, allowing visitors from around the world to pay their respects while safely observing work on the site. For security purposes, the wall will be closed on the anniversary of the attacks. From September 12 to September 14, viewing wall access will be reserved for victim’s family members. Access to the wall for the general public will begin on September 15.

The first portion of the wall displays panels bearing the names of the 2,801 people who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Additional panels describe the World Trade Center attacks and the recovery; the history, design and urban scale of the World Trade Center site; the creation of two temporary memorials, Fritz Koenig’s “The Sphere” and the Towers of Light; and provide an overview of the rebuilding process. A panel is also dedicated to those who lost their lives in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

"As we continue to rebuild at Ground Zero, we recognize how important this site has become -- not just to New Yorkers -- but to people throughout the world,” Governor Pataki said. "We will never forget the thousands of heroes lost on September 11th, and this new wall will allow families and visitors to safely and respectfully view the site and reflect on that fateful day."

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, "In the past year, millions of our friends and neighbors have come here and stood united as one. This viewing wall will continue to bring us together and continue to unite us as we move forward."

Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Chairman John C. Whitehead said, “The creation of the Viewing Wall ensures that the site is always treated with dignity while enabling families and visitors to pay their respects and safely observe the work taking place. The tribute panels will remind all who pass by the site of the tragic events of September 11 and the men, women and children we lost in the attacks.”

Lower Manhattan Development Corporation President Lou Tomson said, "The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was honored to play an important role in bringing together families, residents and small business owners -- all of whom worked hard to develop a concept for the viewing
wall that accommodates visitors to the site and is appropriate and respectful."

Port Authority Executive Director Joseph J. Seymour said, "The staff of the Port Authority, along with our consultants and contractors, worked around the clock for months because they knew how important this viewing wall will be for the millions of people who visit this site. This project is especially poignant for the Port Authority family, which lost 75 employees and nine supplemental staff members in the attacks on the World Trade Center."

The completed portion of the wall is located along the west side of Church Street from Fulton to Cortland Streets. It will eventually surround 1,800 linear feet of the site’s perimeter, from the northeast corner at Church and Vesey Streets, extending south to Liberty Street and ending at Liberty and Washington Streets.

The wall will feature several alcoves where visitors can stop and reflect while pedestrian sidewalk traffic continues unimpeded. It will also be lit at night by photo-cell-activated lamps.

The World Trade Center site is visited by approximately 25,000 people a day. By looking through the viewing wall, visitors will have an opportunity to reflect on the enormity of destruction at the 16-acre site, and safely witness the activity of memorial development and site construction over the years to come.

The LMDC and Port Authority worked closely with New York New Visions to develop the special viewing wall, with assistance by the architectural firm Voorsanger and Associates, the structural engineering firm Severud Associates, and the graphic design firm Pentagram Design.