NEW YORK-
The foundation in charge of raising money for a Sept. 11 memorial on Thursday gave control of the struggling effort to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an early critic of the most expensive memorial in U.S. history.
The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation hoped the mayor’s name and philanthropic history would energize fundraising for the $700 million monument, which will include twin reflecting pools built over the site of the towers, along with a tree-lined plaza and museum.
“We are grateful that someone of his stature in so many different roles, from philanthropy to business to the rebuilding itself, will serve as chairman,” retiring Chairman John Whitehead said.
Bloomberg, speaking in Boston, defended his earlier criticism of the memorial’s costly design and said “the time for discussion is over. It is now the time to raise the money.”
Bloomberg was appointed despite opposition from many victims’ families who alleged that he did not care about their issues and had too often criticized the project.
The mayor, who has given the foundation $10 million from his own fortune, will head a sluggish fundraising drive that has netted $133 million in nearly two years. The first president of the foundation resigned in May amid concerns that fundraising was going slowly.
Just 20 minutes after Bloomberg’s appointment, American Express announced a $10 million donation. The company had been among several large corporations that withheld donations while the memorial’s design and budget were revised. Government agencies have pledged up to $445 million more.
Officials hope to open the memorial in 2009.
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