Montana News: AP-NY-Attacks-FreedomTo

v07380nycn
r n AP-NY--Attacks-FreedomTo     04-09 0192
^AP-NY--Attacks-Freedom Tower,0150<
^Bidders sought for ground zero observation deck<
^Eds: APNewsNow.<

     NEW YORK (AP) _ The Port Authority is preparing to choose an
operator for the observation deck that will offer sweeping views
from the Freedom Tower at ground zero.

     The authority will issue a request for qualifications in early
May. It‘s the first step in selecting a firm to run an indoor
observation deck on the 102nd floor _ the uppermost occupied floor
of the tower.

     Port Authority Chairman Anthony Coscia (KOH-shuh) says the
observation deck will provide ``a signature element for tourists
from throughout the region, nation and the world.‘‘

     The 107th-floor observation deck that existed before the trade
center was destroyed in 2001 attracted 2 million annual visitors.

     The Port Authority signed an agreement with Cushman & Wakefield
Inc. last year to find tenants for the Freedom Tower, which will
also be called One World Trade Center.

     The 1,776-foot tower is expected to open in 2012.

     

     (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

     AP-NY-04-09-08 1320EDT<