The block-long stretch of sidewalk between Church and Greenwich streets is often crowded with visitors going to and from the Sept. 11 Memorial Plaza. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib
Since mid-May, when the September 11 Memorial Museum opened and visitors gained free access to the Memorial Plaza through three entrances, tourists have swarmed the site. The crowded sidewalk on Liberty Street between Church and Greenwich makes for an unpleasantly tight squeeze for locals just going about their day.
In an effort to see what is being done—or can be done—to help relieve the conditions, representatives from a variety of city and state agencies, as well as Silverstein Properties, gathered at a special Community Board 1 Quality of Life Committee meeting last month. Here are some of the main points.
ANOTHER WAY IN
Cortlandt Way, the section of Cortlandt Street west of Church Street, will open in August, according to Glen Guzi of the Port Authority, providing an additional route for visitors to the Sept. 11 Memorial Plaza, thus relieving some of the foot traffic on Liberty Street.
MORE SIDEWALK
A metal barricade on the south side of Liberty Street now prevents pedestrians from spilling onto the street. Josh Kraus of the mayor's office said a second barricade may be placed in the street during the busiest hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to effectively widen the sidewalk.
THE SIDEWALK HOGGING HOIST
The south side of Liberty Street, between Church and Greenwich streets, is closed to pedestrians because of a hoist being used on Tower 4. According to Silverstein Properties spokesman Dara McQuillan, the hoist will be removed in November or December and the sidewalk opened.
‘TERROR BOOK’ SELLERS
Vendors, especially those hawking Sept. 11 picture books, make matters worse by clogging the sidewalks. While there is a no-vending law covering the perimeter of the World Trade Center site, Kraus said nothing can be done about the booksellers. “It is considered by law to be protected as a First Amendment expression,” he said.
CON ED WORK
Con Ed construction is constricting pedestrian flow at Liberty and Church streets. That construction is expected to end soon and return the full width of the sidewalk to pedestrians.
TRIBUTE CENTER BOTTLENECK
Crowds have been gathering outside the Tribute Center at 120 Liberty Street. The Center now has staff to keep pedestrians moving past the door, and tour groups are gathering on Cedar Street, rather than Liberty.
DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE HELP
Security personnel from the Downtown Alliance have also been added to the area to relieve police from the distraction of answering questions from visitors.
THE FIREHOUSE
The “10-10” firehouse at Liberty and Greenwich is a draw for visitors who block the sidewalk and look in. Now no more. The firehouse now keeps its doors closed.
WEEKENDS JUST FOR PEOPLE?
The Police Department is considering closing that stretch of Liberty Street to traffic, allowing pedestrians to use the entire street to go to and from the memorial plaza.