A charity stair climb at One World Trade Center to honor first-responders killed on 9/11 has been abruptly canceled — because building landlord, the Durst Organization is afraid it would scare off potential tenants by reminding them about the terror attacks, the event’s organizer alleges.
“This is all about profits, greed and getting the building leased,’’ fumed John Hodge, chairman of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The Tunnel to Towers stair climb was meant to raise funds to build hi-tech homes for returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan who are triple- and quadruple-amputees.
Hodge said his organization successfully held its first stair climb at the site last year, with Durst’s reluctant participation.
This year, Durst placed a series of hurdles before the charity, such as requiring the OK of one of their major tenants, One World Observatory, which runs Legends Restaurant, Hodge said.
Despite an “enthusiastic response,” from One World, Durst last week sent an e-mail saying that the climb was cancelled.
Durst spokesman Jordan Barowitz said the event logistics were too complex.
“The unique design and security requirement of One World Trade Center make stair-climbs extraordinarily challenging,” Barowitz said. “With more tenants, the logistics are even more complex this year. We share Mr. Hodge’s passion for his cause, have supported Tunnels to Towers in the past and have offered future support.”