NYC-WTC_000152373

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

WSli. y.? X i'

ft

SIGHT FOR SORE EYES: From the observation deck at the Empire State Building, which reopened yesterday, John Gay and son Logan look where the Twin Towers stood. N.Y. Post: Jim Alcorn

Emotions high at reopened Empire State By SIMON CRITTLE ing that has regained its title as the only reminder of the devasta­ be affected, they’re not going to The Empire State Building ob­ New York’s tallest skyscraper tion downtown. The Empire be even psychologically inti­ servation deck officially re­ was Jean McDonald, 73, part of a State gift shop still sold little s]^- mated by all this — and that’s opened yesterday, hosting a sad 42-strong seniors tour group line ornaments, many of which very typical of New Yorkers.” from Minnesota. featured the Twin Towers as It was the first visit for Swed­ stream of tourists who gazed at “It’s so sad,” she said as she their centerpiece. ish tourist Johamsson Lennard, empty space where the World looked downtown from her The deck did not host quite as who was grateful he had once Trade Center once stood. perch high above 34th Street and many visitors as usual for a Sat­ seen the spectacular view from “It’s terrible to look out there Fifth Avenue, urday in September. A building the trade center observation now and think of all those lives But she viewed the reopening spokesman expected about deck. gone,” said Yvonne Chard of as a positive sign that both the 10,000 to show up before closing “Some people might be scared Cardiff, Wales. city and the nation are returning time — compared to the 13,000 to go up today,” he said. “But I Chard, who is vacationing in to normal. who would have been there be­ think it is quite safe.” New York, considered canceling “It is a unique and special ex­ fore the trade center tragedy. The observation deck had the trip — but decided she had to perience to be here on the first But those who braved the long opened for a test run of a few show support for the city. day since the tragedy,” she said. waits to clear the increased secu­ hours on Sept. 15. After today, it “Why should bin Laden win?” Joan Carroll of Wyoming said, rity said they were not worried will close through Friday, then she asked angrily. “I just don’t know how it could about spending the day at an­ reopen for the Columbus Day “That’s why I’ve come up here happen here,” as she looked at other lugh profile New York holiday weekend. today. I don’t even like heights the ravaged skyline. landmark. The top of the building will re­ ... But I felt I had to do this.” The view — which still in­ “They want to show they’re not main illuminated at night in red, Also on the 86th-floor observa­ cludes smoke rising from the going to be stopped,” Mayor Giu­ white and blue throu^ the end tion desk of the 102-story build­ trade center rubble — was not liani said. “They’re not going to of November.

NL'Pos4' NYC-WTC_000152425