MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG OPENS NEWLY RENOVATED
"MEMORIAL PARK"

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today opened the newly renovated "Memorial Park" located outside the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner at 30th Street between First Avenue and the FDR Drive. "Memorial Park," as it has been known since September 11th, is the area near the Medical Examiner's offices where families of the victims have been gathering since the remains of their loved ones were brought there for identification. Thanks to private donations of both goods and services, the 2,000 square foot area has been refurbished into a tranquil space for families to gather to remember their loved ones. The renovation includes a heated, large white tent that covers the area with walls of translucent fabric, a blue stone floor, benches, greenery and a fountain wall creating a contemplative, serene environment.

"We are here today to open this newly renovated space and remind families of those lost on September 11th that 'Memorial Park' is a place for you to come and grieve in private," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We will continue to seek out ways to honor those lost so we keep their memory strong. I would like to thank Christy Ferer, Barry Gosin, David Piscuskus and all those who participated in the renovation of 'Memorial Park' for donating their time and services to this important project."

"We remain committed to the families of these victims that we will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to identify as many people as the limits of science will allow," said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Charles Hirsch. "While this process continues, we hope this park will serve as a welcoming environment where families can gather and pay their respects."

"We have all been deeply touched by the tragedy that occurred on September 11th and it is our hope that our gift will provide some solace to the bereaved," said Mr. Barry Gosin, CEO of Newmark & Co. Real Estate Inc.

"We wanted to create a place for the families that is close to the remains of their loved ones, while offering a sense of connection and sanctuary - a place of dignity, spirituality, and respect," David Piscuskas, Principal Architect.

The area will open beginning today and remain open for the duration of the identification process. Families can visit the new park seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families should enter the park at the intersection of the southeast corner of 30th Street and the service road of the FDR Drive.

The renovation was made possible through a $300,000 donation made by Newmark & Co. Real Estate Inc. Architect David Piscuskas, Principal of 1100 Architect and his group Juergen Riehm, Ellen Martin, Stacy Millman, Kirk Soderstrom and Jorge Zapata, led the pro bono team that designed the area. In addition, Structural Engineer Robert Silman Associates, Landscape Architect Sullivan Group Design, Construction Manager Mark Sullivan and Bovis Lend Lease's Paul Ashlin, David Wong, and Michael Pietsch, with the help of head the Buildings Trade Council Ed Malloy, donated their services, and Kelco generously donated the greenery.

To date, 19,934 remains have been recovered from the World Trade Center disaster. Of those, 5,750 have been identified. The identification of these remains has enabled the Medical Examiner's office to confirm the death 1,445 of the 2,792 people reported missing in the World Trade Center attack. At this time, 14,184 remains have yet to be identified. Plans are underway to introduce new DNA identification technology and once implemented, the Medical Examiner's office expects to increase the number of identified victims to 2,000 or 72%.

"Following the tragedy of September 11th, Dr. Hirsch and his staff at the Medical Examiner's office successfully responded to the largest, most complex mass fatality incident in the history of the United States," concluded Mayor Bloomberg. "The work they have done to date under difficult circumstances, is remarkable, and I want to thank Dr. Hirsch and his staff for the care and sensitivity they have exhibited throughout this process."