Dear Families,
We write to update you on the location of the remains of the World Trade Center 9/11 victims. In preparation for Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner temporarily relocated the remains to protect them from any storm-related damage. As you may be aware, the Memorial Park area at East 30th Street was damaged during the storm, and given the vulnerability of the park to future storms, we have determined that the location is no longer suitable as storage for the remains.
We have moved the remains to a secure, enclosed facility at the nearby DNA Forensic Biology Laboratory Building of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Located at 421 East 26th Street, the DNA building is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility where scientists are continuing their efforts to identify those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
This new location is not vulnerable to storm damage, and will be used until construction of OCME’s repository at the World Trade Center Memorial is completed, whereupon all remains will be moved there permanently.
The Memorial Park Chapel will remain open and available for quiet reflection, and anyone wishing to see the new facility, or who has additional questions should not hesitate to contact my office at 911familyquestions@cityhall.nyc.gov or 212-442-8953.
Sincerely,
Nazli Parvizi
Commissioner, Community Affairs Unit
City Hall
