Park Service Inches Toward Reopening Liberty's Crown

Statue's top closed since 9/11, agency calls for proposals to increase safety
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 4, 2008 3:24 PM CDT
Park Service Inches Toward Reopening Liberty's Crown
In this photo released by the British Royal Air Force, the British Royal Air Force "Red Arrows" aerobatic team perform a flyby over the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, Wednesday, June 25, 2008.    (AP Photo/Royal Air Force)

The National Park Service has posted an open call for proposals from engineering and architectural firms for opening the crown of the Statue of Liberty to visitors again, the New York Daily News reports. The agency has long contended that the narrow staircase leading to the monument’s observation deck, closed since 9/11, posed an unacceptable terror risk.

"There is no reason why we should have one more celebration of Independence Day or one more commemoration of 9/11 with Liberty's crown closed," says Rep. Anthony Weiner, the Queens Democrat pushing for the reopening. "The National Park Service has gone from 'We are keeping this closed no matter what you say' to 'We are taking steps to get this reopened.'" (More Liberty Island stories.)

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