By Lee Ielpi
9/11 Widows and Victims’ Families Association
In early September, the LMDC will complete refurbishing of the former FDNY/NYPD recovery command center on the South side of the WTC site off Liberty Street and East of the bridge road ramp leading down into the site. Renovations are being made to create a “Family House” at the site that will designate a private enclosed area for our families. Large windows will overlook the “bathtub” area (the interior of the lower 7 floors of the Trade Center complex). The building will have air conditioning and heat and will be wheelchair accessible. The room will easily accommodate twenty family members at a time and will have a refrigerator stocked with water. Outside the family house, families will be able to walk up to the South edge of the bathtub wall.
We have worked carefully in cooperation with the LMDC to ensure the family house is private from the public area surrounding the WTC site. We have asked in particular for a visual barrier from the public for our time of remembrance and reflection at the site. We welcome you to visit the site at this private area as many of our families find the experience healing. The current family viewing room on the 20th floor of One Liberty Plaza will remain open for families. Families who wish to visit the family room or the new family house need to bring their case number beginning with at P or T and a photo identification for access. Both the family house and family room are private spaces specifically designated for our families.
