9/11 Anniversary: World Trade Center Once Again A Tourist Destination

By: Stephanie Simon

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This Saturday will mark the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and the occasion will again give New Yorkers a chance to reflect on the devastation and loss brought about that day. While there were quick vows to rebuild and renew life Downtown, very little was achieved for years after September 11, 2001. But just in the last year or so, new buildings have begun to reclaim the skyline, and with it, an increased interest in Downtown. NY1's Stephanie Simon filed the following report.

Tourists are flocking to New York, and the city is expected to see a record number of visitors this year.

In addition to the usual draws, visitors are also heading to Lower Manhattan to see another attraction that’s rising in popularity – the World Trade Center construction site.

Visitors go to the World Trade Center site for various reasons, but for many, it's to remember.

“Just to have a look at a bit of history,” said tourist Charlie Wilson of why he made a stop at the site.

"It's almost like a patriotic type thing,” said Dan Olsen, another tourist. “I mean, we were attacked so, I feel like we need to come and visit it and show our respects.”

Others visit to track the progress.

"We've been here in August of last year and we thought we would come back and see just how it had developed,” said tourist Alistair Crowhurst. “And we see the buildings around here have been built up quite a bit since then."

Among the places which have been built up is the Tribute WTC Visitor Center, which offers several tours for visitors daily.

The Downtown Alliance, an organization that tracks business in Lower Manhattan, says six million tourists came to Lower Manhattan last year alone. The area is responding to the demand.

“We're just getting better and better,” said Downtown Alliance President Liz Berger. “In 2009, 91 new stores and restaurants opened in Lower Manhattan. In the first six months of this year, 38.”

Several hotels, like the W New York Downtown and the World Center Hotel, have recently opened on the south side of the WTC site, offering world-class amenities and unique views of the construction. They are being well received.

“We find people come here for very personal reasons, very different reasons. Some people are interested in seeing the progress,” said Cheryl Palmer, chief executive officer of the World Center Hotel.

Local businesses, like the Merchant NY Cafe, are benefiting from the increased foot traffic.

“As it’s building up with the construction and as the memorial is finally making its way, with all the hotels and everything, yea, we’re seeing a pickup,” said Merchants NY Café Assistant Manager Christian Qualey.

The September 11th Memorial is scheduled to open next year. The Memorial Foundation predicts that over seven million people will visit in its first year.

Until those doors open, though, visitors are content with looking at the work in progress.

“The world needs to continue to remember what’s going on and by building and showing people what’s going on New York City, that it will bring people here and people to remember,” said tourist Risa Nash-Plumb. “It’s something that we cannot forget.”