NEW YORK — Nearly two years after negotiations abruptly ended over where a Greek Orthodox church destroyed on 9/11 may rebuild, legal action has begun against several agencies and officials involved in the Ground Zero land dispute.
Until talks broke off in early 2008, leaders from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and Ground Zero developers had reached a preliminary agreement to rebuild on a larger piece of property at 130 Liberty Street, allowing the original 155 Cedar Street lot to be used for a vehicle security center.
Under the deal — either binding or tentative, depending on which side you ask — the church also would get $20 million towards its rebuilding costs, which include enhanced security requirements for the Ground Zero area.
In a statement released by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the agency blames the tiny church’s escalating demands for the 2008 stalemate and reiterated that it supports “the return of the church to its original home” on Cedar Street.
But church leaders insist the old lot is unsuitable and that years of planning already have gone into the new site. Now both sites are under heavy construction — neither with the church’s permission, said Mark Arey, spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
“We’ve spent a year and a half trying to reach out to the Port Authority, but they still haven’t spoken to us directly,” he said.
“There has been no phone call, no telegram, no fax, nothing.”
Share with others: