Review delayed on 9/11 memorial proposed for Franklin Square in Philly

 Artist rendering of a 9/11 memorial proposed for Franklin Square. (Image courtesy of Phila911 Inc.)

Artist rendering of a 9/11 memorial proposed for Franklin Square. (Image courtesy of Phila911 Inc.)

A 9/11 memorial, proposed for Franklin Square in Philadelphia, is trying to get through the city’s review process.

Steven Saymon, a recently retired police officer from Deptford, N.J., was among the thousands of officers who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center towers 12 years ago. He sorted through the rubble for days.

“It affected me greatly,” said Saymon. “In fact, it led to my retirement from police services, due to the illnesses I contracted on my early days on the pile.”

In 2011, Saymon spearheaded the creation of a 9/11 memorial in Brooklawn, N.J. Now, he and designer Jeffrey Little want to erect one in Philadelphia.

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The memorial would consist of two towers, each 9 feet 11 inches tall, with a replica of the Liberty Bell suspended between them. The bell’s crack would be mended with steel from the original Twin Towers. The site would also feature relics from the Pentagon and the crash site in Shanksville, Pa.

The concept, backed by Congressman Bob Brady and City Councilman Mark Squilla, was slated to go before the Philadelphia Art Commission this week, but was pulled from the agenda at the last minute.

“The Art Commission indicated they want to tweak the design,” said Little. “We’re not sure if that means color or style. We’re not sure what tweaking means. They’re some of the things we’re going to be working out before the next month’s meeting, and if we’re going to be receptive to their changes or not.”

The memorial’s cost — about $35,000 — would be covered by private donations.

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