November 24, 2003
TRAIN KEPT ROLLIN': Yesterday afternoon
TRAIN KEPT ROLLIN':
Yesterday afternoon I took the PATH from Hoboken to the World Trade Center, to mark the first day of train service since September 11. And while I was merely expecting to enjoy the symbolic value of such an excursion, the train ride was, improbably, an amazing experience.
As my train emerged from the Hudson River tunnel and pulled into the station (and daylight), I realized for the first time I was in Ground Zero- indeed, the temporary PATH terminal was built in one corner of the actual WTC pit. And while I knew this going in, nothing prepared me for the actual sight of actually being right there- the closest I had been was the viewing platform, which was nearly two blocks away.
The temporary station itself was quite impressive as well- adorned with famous quotes from New Yorkers, and also retaining much of the feel of the original WTC PATH station, including the large escalators. And I also love that it opens into the "neighborhood," which for the first time since before 9/11 actually felt "alive."
With more interest groups than one can even imagine (the city, the state, the architects, the leaseholders, the unions, the victims' families, and the general public, to name a few) fighting over what exactly should happen to the World Trade Center site, I fear it could be years before any substantial development is able to begin, and even decades before anything is completed. But kudos to everyone who made this new PATH station happen- not only has it made an easier commute to the city for thousands of New Jersey residents, but it- along with the impossibly swift 7-month Ground Zero cleanup- shows what's possible when people put their heads together. Let's hope the aforementioned groups can learn from the example.
Here's more from Jeff Jarvis, who knows the area well.