ground zero pass still in effect?
 

last time I was in NYC March 2002 you had to have tickets to view the site. Does anyone know if this is still in effect or if the platform is even still there. Thanks.

The platform is gone and the site is now a huge construction project surrounded by fences.

Basically, no you don't need a pass. There are open spaces in the fenced area that you can see through.

Also, FYI, many New Yorkers take exception to the "Ground Zero" term and strongly prefer that you call the area the World Trade Center.

This is a joke, right?

If you wanted to view what is essentially a construction site at this point (recognizing of course that it isn't just a construction site) then go to the footbridge that crosses West Street at Vescey. The pedestrian bridge was build to increase access to the North part of the World Financial Center and offers a bird's eye view of the site.

BTW, many New Yorkers are still extremely sensitive regarding the issue of the site becoming a tourist destination. While I recognize most people are being respectful, I've seen a few who've treated the WTC site as a good place to mug for a photo, as though they are standing outside any other tourist destination.

Ryan~

May I remind you what happened at Pearl Harbor 63 years ago? Many a tourist goes there, many a photo is snapped and they even have a gift shop. The WTC is a tourist destination; good or bad, just treat it with respect.

Bjork,
And if I saw a tourist at Pearl Harbor mugging for the camera the same way I've seen people mugging for photos at the WTC I'd have the same reaction.

I also doubt you saw many people visiting Pearl Harbor as a tourist destination in 1943. The nearness of the event does change the magnitude.

Back in December, I saw a family of 5 or 6 people taking a really nice family portrait on the Vescey Street bridge. They all had nice big smiles on their faces. I can only assume they are so dense as to not understand why someone, namely me, would have said "Do you realize how disrespectful that is?"

People visiting the WTC center to understand the devastation is one thing. People visiting it because it's in the guide book and they can check-off another site visited is another.

Pearl Harbor, Gettysburg, Auschwitz . . . any site of human tragedy will draw visitors, most of whom are there to pay their respects, but some of whom are oblivious idiots, that's just human nature.

I work on the block of the WTC site. The best view of the site, is by taking a ride on the PATH train from Jersey. It is a pretty eery feeling to travel directly thru the center of what used to be there. It is as large a a football field or more. No need for a platform anymore, you can see into the site from many spots on the street. Construction should be starting up again with the warmer weather...bringing along many more tourists. Not a bad thing though, people are interested and saddened by what happened.

Thank you diannebabs, I am planning to visit the WTC in May. Of course I will treat it with the dignity and respect it deserves. I was beginning to feel guilty for wanting to see it after reading this thread, but people need to understand that this is not just a New York tragedy, but a human race tragedy. People from other countries share in your sorrow, grief and horror. It is my hope that native New Yorkers can appreciate why we feel the need to pay our respects.

My personal take on WTC behavior:

I don't care if people call it "Ground Zero". Seems like a minor issue. I see people say both GZ and WTC, including Mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg.

DO's

-Take pictures or video.
-Walk around the area.
-Support local merchants.
-Take the pedestrian bridge to the World Financial Center- it has an excellent view of the site. There are shops and restaurants inside the World Financial Center, most closed on weekends.

DONT's

-Act in a joking or comical manner at the site.
-Take joke pictures or video.
-Deface the fence.

It's your call if you want to patronize the vendors that have set themselves up right outside the fence. Some people find their presence offensive. I do not. The fence now has a very interesting historical exhibit about the site, well worth a look.

In general, I have found that out-of-towners are much more sensitive about visiting the WTC site than natives. We live with it everyday. I encourage people to visit it to see for themselves. I know I 'm going to get flamed hard for this, but I find the super-reverent-afraid-to-speak-there attitude dehumanizes what happened and turns it into some kind of untouchable shrine. For healing to happen it has to be re-integrated into our lives and the life of the city- this will be easier when the memorial is built and the area is rebuilt.

However, be aware than many, many people were witnesses or lost loved ones. They will naturally be very sensitive about the issue. It's best when talking to New Yorkers to approach the subject gently.

Anyone planning to take smiling happy family portraits there? Give me your names! I'll visit your parent's graves so I can take a smiling 'thumbs-up' picture there wearing a 'no fat chicks' shirt.

"but people need to understand that this is not just a New York tragedy, but a human race tragedy"

What? Who ever implied it was a New Yorker specific tragedy?

I don't think there is a person out there that doesn't agree that it was a tragedy that horrified us all.

As a New Yorker who witnessed the towers fall, and knows people whose remains that still have not been found, and never will. Please remember what you are going to see is a somber place. As most people do.

Of course people will go and take pictures, its human nature. All of which is fine. Its important that we never forget what happened, and who we lost.

GoTravel, no one implied it was a New Yorker specific tragedy. I was simply trying to get the point across that we all share in the grief of this event. If you found my wording offensive, I am sorry for that. Was not my intention.

oh good Lord - the OP asked about passes and now some have felt compelled to give out etiquette lessons and grief counseling guidelines. This is an emotionally charged topic (with good reason) but if someone is a considerate, kind, respectful person they will act accordingly. If someone is a jerk, they will be a jerk wherever they go and someone here telling them how to act or feel will not change that.

grantop is absolutely right! Don't quite understand why anyone would ask if the original post is a joke, seems to be a fair, logical question to me.

Good Grief!
Poor cms11 and me have been living under a rock(s).(cms probably has their own rock....)
For shame, I don't know or follow the daily happenings in NYC or the WTC,
but I think it quite uncalled for to scold or chastise for a seemingly honest inquiry-
there will always be someone trying to be a goof at such a "site"-the majority
will visit with respect and somber mood.
That said,
Who let the dogs out?
(and Geez, doesn't everyone know the daily
goings on in Sonoma County,CA ?)

Lighten up GoTravel.

Other people who were at the WTC site when the platform tickets were in effect don't follow the everyday goings-on.

Legitimate question.

I just wanted to comment that I myself didn't realize that the platform is gone, and I'm not living under a rock. It may be obvious to people in NYC and the East Coast, but to people in other parts of the world (I live in St. Louis) it may not be such a known fact. It may have been mentioned in the news but I don't recall it. It was probably much bigger news in NYC than it was in other parts of the world. Its not fair to judge the poster because she didn't know. All he/she asked was a simple question.