July 2nd - July 8th, 2004

Barberi Braves New York Waters Again

Thursday, July 1: The Andrew J. Barberi -- the Staten Island Ferry that collided with a pier near St. George Terminal last October -- returned to regular service on city waters after nearly nine months, reported theNew York Times andNew York Post.

Over the past year, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) spent $5.9 million to repair the 250-foot gash that the Barberi suffered during the collision, as well as make several improvements to the ferry, theNew York Post said.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined the families of the ferry crash victims for a ceremonial relaunching of the 23-year-old ship on Wednesday. A plaque, dedicated to the 11 passengers who were killed during last year's ferry accident, was also installed on the ferry's bulkhead, theTimes noted.

Cornerstone Laid for WTC Freedom Tower

Sunday, July 4:Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor George Pataki, and New Jersey Governor James McGreevey joined rebuilding officials from the Port Authority and Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) to unveil a 20-ton granite stone that will form the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower. For complete coverage, click here.

South Street Seaport Museum Reduces Staff to Balance Budget

Thursday, July 8:  The South Street Seaport Museum reduced its number of major staff positions on July 1 in an effort to cut its budget by $1 million, theNew York Times reported.

Located just blocks from Ground Zero, the museum's attendance and donations were severely impacted after 9/11, with annual visitor rates down to 450,000 from 700,000 ten years ago, theTimes said. With the help of city funding and donations, the museum is working to balance its budget as it prepares for the redevelopment of the WTC site, which would help benefit the museum's attendance.

The South Street Seaport Museum continues to host a variety of exhibitions in its galleries and on its historic ships, in addition to a variety of public programs.  For more information about the museum, visit its website by clicking here.