Dear Mayor Cunningham:

The main topic for the January meeting of the Harsimus Cove Association meeting was the proposed "9/11 sculpture" by Zurab Tsereteli. The meeting was well attended, and members listened to the presentation by representatives of the sculptor.  The presentation by Mr. Tsereteli’s representatives resulted in the expression of clear and overwhelming opposition by the membership to proceed with this project.

Concerns voiced by membership were:

1. The total lack of community input in the approval process.

2. The overwhelming scale and outsized presence of a ten-story-high sculpture on the city's precious waterfront which disrupts the existing scale of the area’s relationships between buildings, plaza and pedestrians.

3. Dissatisfaction with the design. Sample comments were "simplistic" and "clichéd." This monument will visually define Jersey City as one looks at us from New York City. Do we want to be defined by this design of a giant teardrop? Does this provide the depth of how we want to memorialize the events of and our relationship to 9/11?

4. The failure to consult with any of the regional arts organizations, particularly Jersey City Museum, Pro Arts, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the Municipal Arts Society, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.

5. Concerns that a memorial of this nature should not be given to us and that it is being accepted because it appears to be free. There are also concerns that the undisclosed source of the funds for this very expensive project could become an embarrassment to this city in the future.

6. That our representatives take a more deliberate approach to supporting a project which will make a lasting impression on the consciousness not only of Jersey City but also the world community.

The Harsimus Cove Association is opposed to the erection of this monument. The membership hopes that a less overbearing and more thoughtful memorial will be considered after the appropriate arts organizations and the citizens of Jersey City have been heard.

Sincerely,

Daniel Levin, President

cc: L. Harvey Smith, President City Council