The construction of the monument to honor essential workers in NY changed places after protests – Telemundo New York (47)

What you should know

• New York officials decided to modify plans to build a new memorial in Battery Park City honoring essential workers who served on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. This after protests that asked to stop construction because it damaged the green space of the park.
• A state spokesperson confirmed that the memorial will change location, but is still scheduled to be built in Battery Park City itself.
• Construction of the Essential Workers Monument was initially scheduled to be completed before Labor Day, September 6.

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NEW YORK – Ten days after Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed plans to build a new memorial in Lower Manhattan honoring essential New York workers who served on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state revealed that now he’s working on a new plan to build it elsewhere. This after protesters They asked to stop the construction because it damaged the green space of the park.

The construction of the Monument to the Circle of Heroes in the Rockefeller Park area received criticism from neighbors last week, saying that the decision was not made with the participation of the community. Critics have openly expressed that their opposition is not to the monument itself, but to the possible loss of the green zone.

A memorial to New York’s frontline heroes would be the third memorial installed in Battery Park City in 12 months; The Circle of Heroes was initially projected to be completed by Labor Day. The other monuments were the Hurricane Monument announced in March this year and a statue of Mother Cabrini announced five months earlier.

“We all want to honor essential workers, but why does everything have to be in New York City? It’s just because it doesn’t have to go through anyone else’s jurisdiction in Battery Park,” Councilmember Margaret Chin told Curbed.

Chin represents the neighborhood and wants the governor and his staff to engage in dialogue with its residents to reach a resolution. It’s a request that Battery Park City Authority Chairman George Tsunis attempted to fulfill on Thursday.

Tsunis met with neighbors at a meeting in the park to respond to comments and concerns after days of protests. After more than an hour with them, Tsunis told residents that the location would change but that he would remain in Battery Park City.

“Over the next week, the Battery Park City Authority will continue to engage with our neighbors, essential worker representatives, and the governor’s office to discuss the location of the monument in Battery Park City and ensure that it is optimal for the entire community,” said one Tsunis declaration.

The protesters had gathered last Saturday near the construction site in hopes of saving part of the park’s green space before crews covered it.. Opponents of the monument’s location said they have had no public meetings or hearings on plans for the monument, which will require cutting down trees and replacing grass with concrete.

Cuomo has said the memorial would include 19 red maples symbolizing the essential workers who carried New York through the pandemic, including nurses, doctors, healthcare workers, transit workers, police officers, EMTs and paramedics, firefighters, correctional officers, store clerks, National Guard employees, government employees, construction service workers, utility and communications workers, delivery drivers, teachers, sanitation workers, construction workers, and the manufacturing, foodservice workers, and hospitality workers.

Protesters Saturday say they want to honor essential workers of the pandemic without sacrificing park space.

“These trees, this green space, is the largest green space south of Central Park. The parks were vital to getting the city through COVID-19 and we just want to make sure we don’t end up doing something that we can’t get back,” he said Tristan Snell of the Battery Park City Parents Association. “We want to measure twice and cut once.”

A spokesman for the governor said the state was proud to plant 19 new trees in the park in a public space for all New Yorkers to enjoy.

“This location was chosen in an open process by 23 leaders representing hundreds of thousands of essential workers, and the design of the site allows people to continue to enjoy the park space. We look forward to working with everyone who uses this public space and seeing Generations of New Yorkers across the state enjoy and celebrate this monument, “said Jordan Bennett, spokesman for Cuomo.

The commission of labor leaders representing all essential workers chose the Battery Park City location to install the monument.

“At the beginning of the pandemic, when people were told to stay home, essential workers went to work day after day, making sure their fellow New Yorkers were safe, fed and cared for,” Cuomo said in a statement. “While we will never be able to fully reimburse our essential workers, we can honor and celebrate them with this monument that will forever stand as a tribute to all they have done for New York in our greatest time of need and beyond. These heroes continue to inspire us all. days and we will be eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice. “

The memorial will also feature an eternal flame as a symbol of New York State’s undying gratitude for essential workers.

In April, Cuomo announced the formation of the Essential Workers Monument Advisory Committee. The committee, made up of essential workers, met to advise on the location, design and installation of the Essential Workers Monument.

What’s more, New York State was announced to provide $ 25 million in child care grants to all essential workers.

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