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The Family Rooms
The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) and the Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) recognize the importance of the
World Trade Center site to the families who lost loved ones on September 11,
2001 and their need to visit the site.
The LMDC and the Port Authority have
created two areas for the families to observe the site in quiet
contemplation - The One Liberty Plaza Family Room, located on the 20th floor
of One Liberty Plaza, which overlooks the World Trade Center Site, and the
Liberty Street Family Room, on Liberty Street, which is located at the World
Trade Center Site. Both of these areas provide a private, peaceful setting
for the families. Each area has very similar procedures, however, they do
differ. Please read the procedures and hours of operation carefully. It's
very important that these procedures are followed to ensure your privacy and
safety.
The One Liberty Plaza Family Room, located on the 20th Floor of One Liberty
Plaza, was established in early April in response to a request by the
families for a private, elevated indoor area overlooking the World Trade
Center site. The Family Room contains comfortable couches and a children's
play area with toys, books etc. The Family Room replaced the outdoor
viewing area created for the families after September 11th, which was
located on the corner of Liberty and West Streets. The Family Room also
contains personal items and photographs that were part of the outdoor
viewing area created for the families after September 11th. Families
continue to bring pictures, poems, cards and other personal items to the
room.
The One Liberty Plaza Family Room is staffed by the Port Authority Police
Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Families should enter the
building using the Liberty Street entrance during regular business hours
(Monday-Friday 9-5) and through the Broadway entrance off-hours (after 5:00
p.m. weeknights, Saturday, Sunday and holidays). Families should go to the
security desk and indicate they would like to visit the Family Room.
Families will need to provide security with the Medical Examiners Family
Identification Card (please see below for more information on the Family ID
Card) or the P or T number. If you were not assigned a P or a T number and
you don't have a Family ID Card you will need to provide additional
background information relevant to your loved one. After you show photo
identification you will be given a visitor pass that is valid for that day.
PLEASE WEAR THIS PASS AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE BUILDING.
Family members are allowed to bring guests. However, we ask you to limit
the number to one or two if possible. The room only holds 30 people and it
is very important this number be adhered to for safety reasons.
If there are large groups of people expected to visit the Family Room,
family members need to call the Mayor's Community Assistance Unite (CAU) at
212-788-7418 with the group's contact name, date, time and group size at
least one day in advance. We also request that you provide the CAU with a
list of family members in advance of your visit to speed up the admission
process.
The Liberty Street Family Room, located on Liberty Street directly at the
World Trade Center site (south side), was created in September 2002, by the
Port Authority of NY/NJ in response to a request by the families for an
on-site viewing location. The Liberty Street Family Room allows family
members to view the World Trade Center Site from Liberty Street. It is in a
secured area guarded by the Port Authority Police Department and a private
security guard. The Liberty Street Family Room is open 7-days a week from
9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. (please note: it is not open 24 hours). Families must
enter at Washington and Liberty Streets. The Liberty Street Family Room
accommodates up to 15 people. If the room is filled to capacity, there is
an outside viewing area next to the building, however, it is a shared common
area. Families may bring pictures, poems, cards and other personal items
to the room.
The same procedures will be followed to gain entry. Families should enter
the security gate at Washington and Liberty Streets and indicate they are a
family member and would like to visit the Family Room. Families will need
to provide the Port Authority Police Officer or the security guard with the
Medical Examiners Family ID Card or the P or T number. If you don't have a
Family ID Card or were not assigned a P or a T number you will need will to
provide additional background information relevant to your loved one. After
you show photo-id you will be admitted.
If there are large groups of people expected to visit the Liberty Street
Family Room, please contact Davella May at the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey at 212-435-5552 or by email at dmay@panynj.gov
any day during the week to make arrangements
(please note: this is a different number from the One Liberty Plaza Family
Room).
Medical Examiner's Family Identification Cards - The Medical
Examiner's Office is now issuing Identification Cards to Family Members. If
you would like to schedule an appointment to receive one, please contact the
Medical Examiners office at 212-447-7884 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven
days a week.
If you have any questions, please contact
Tara Snow of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
either by email at
tsnow@empire.state.ny.us or by calling 212-962-2300
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