The Issue: Where to rebuild St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed on 9/11.
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“Cuomo Butts Into Big Fat Greek Church Spat” (Steve Cuozzo, Oct. 4) states that if St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is rebuilt on the designated parcel, it would “cripple” work directly beneath the site.
But the Liberty Street parcel was originally earmarked for the new church.
The Port Authority agreed to rebuild the church there, and the new Vehicle Screening Center was supposed to be a foundation for the church.
That was the understanding until Chris Ward came along.
The Port Authority has since proceeded with the VSC under the assumption that the church would not be built on top of it.
Whose fault is it if rebuilding the church, as originally intended, now sets the VSC back?
The church is blameless.
Evan Lambrou
Ithaca
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St. Nicholas Church, which was situated at the foot of the Twin Towers, was the only religious structure to be completely demolished during the 9/11 tragedy.
I often conducted services there for the small Orthodox constituency. The doors were always open for people of any faith, and young people often would come in on weekdays during their lunch hour.
I am dismayed that while PA officials promised to rebuild this small house of worship, those plans were completely bypassed.
Miltiades Efthimiou
Garden City
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Had the Port Authority not gone back on its word, as Cuozzo notes, then concerns about setting WTC work back or its impact upon the VSC would not exist.
Cuozzo’s negative tone throughout the column should be directed at Ward and the Port Authority for not staying true to their commitment from the get-go, not at Cuomo or the church for wanting to explore the feasibility of rebuilding at 130 Liberty St., as was initially agreed upon between the two parties.
John Grossomanides
National President
The American Hellenic
Educational Progressive
Association
Washington, DC