Landmarks Commission To Vote On Proposed WTC Mosque Site

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to hold a vote later this morning at Pace University that could clear the way for a controversial mosque near the World Trade Center site. The panel will decide today on whether or not to grant protective status to 45 Park Place, the proposed site of an Islamic cultural center. The local community board has come out against giving the 152-year-old building landmark status. But opponents of the cultural center are pushing for it, hoping to prevent the building from being demolished. Officials from the Corboda Initiative say they would build it even if the site were landmarked by working around the building as it stands. The Corboda Initiative plans to build a 13-story, $100 million cultural center on the site, which would include a mosque, as well as performing arts spaces, a gym, and other facilities. The controversy surrounding the center has been the subject of national attention with critics including the families of some September 11th victims, Sarah Palin, and the Anti- Defamation League calling it insensitive. "This project raises serious, serious questions that must be answered," said opponent Rick Lazio, a Republican candidate for governor. "Where does the funding come from for a $100 million mosque? The imam whose in charge of this has said America was responsible for the attacks on 9/11. In fact, his words were we were an accessory to the crime of 9/11. He has said Osama bin Laden was built in the U.S. These are not the words of a bridge builder." However, supporters, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, say it will create a cross-cultural dialogue.