WTC Memorial Magnificent, but at a Steep Price
Huge reflecting pools, waterfalls, skyscrapers and a
cavernous underground museum under construction help make the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum at
the World Trade Center an awesome spectacle.
But all that
eye-welling magnificence comes with a jaw-dropping price tag. The foundation
that runs the memorial and museum estimates that once the roughly $700 million
project is complete, it will cost $60 million a year to operate.
The anticipated cost bothers some critics and raises
concerns even among the memorial's allies that the budget may be unsustainable
without a hefty government subsidy.
Officials at the memorial say they face unique challenges
that make comparisons to other national memorials difficult. The foundation
plans to spend at least a fifth of its annual operating budget, or around $12
million, on security because of terrorism fears.
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