View letter to Port Authority

City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. and New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi today urged the Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to quickly resolve any outstanding issues to allow lease negotiations for Ground Zero to move ahead.

In a joint letter to Chairman Anthony Coscia, the Comptrollers stated: “ New Jersey’s representatives have recently signaled worries that current reconstruction plans may shift disproportionate costs and financial risk to the Port Authority. Although this issue is certainly one that must be examined, we are concerned that this matter is being raised on the eve of potentially concluding negotiations.”

The Comptrollers added: “We are all deeply sensitive to the need for the swift and responsible reconstruction of Ground Zero. However, we must also be mindful that this reconstruction is significantly overdue. Further delay will serve only to magnify the profound loss that was suffered by New Yorkers and our nation.

We urge you to do all that you can to quickly resolve any outstanding issues and allow this critically important redevelopment effort to proceed.”

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