Edward
October 18th, 2002, 07:03 PM
New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Customs develops a fear of heights
By DAVID SALTONSTALL
DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
Friday, October 18th, 2002
Wimps.
The U.S. Customs Service, which lost its home at 6 World Trade Center on Sept. 11, has not moved back downtown because it's now afraid of tall buildings.
The agency's fear of heights was spelled out yesterday at a City Council subcommittee, as Customs brass admitted they were "avoiding high-rise office space."
"We did not look for space much higher than the 11th floor," explained Susan Mitchell, director of field operations for Customs, whose 750 WTC employees have been scattered throughout the region, including New Jersey, since the attacks.
"Frankly," she added, "I am having a hard time getting employees to go to the 11th floor."
The agency's ongoing acrophobia left some City Council members flabbergasted.
"That's outrageous," said City Councilman Alan Gerson, a Democrat who represents lower Manhattan from his 20th-floor apartment. "I mean, people live in lower Manhattan, children grow up in lower Manhattan - all above the 11th floor.
"It's more of an excuse than anything else," Gerson added.
The peculiar restriction came to light as the agency - which has recently talked internally of abandoning New York for a new, permanent facility in Newark - reversed course and announced its long-term "intentions" to build a new Customs House in lower Manhattan.
'Symbolic office'
In the short-term, agency Commissioner Robert Bonner informed Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that he would explore the possibility "of establishing a small and somewhat symbolic office in lower Manhattan."
"This letter is the first good sign from Customs," Schumer told The News yesterday. "It at least indicates an intent to find space downtown, but we have a long way to go."
A recent survey by realtors Cushman & Wakefield found some 25 available offices in downtown Manhattan that could meet the agency's needs - although it wasn't clear how many were above the 11th floor.
Customs develops a fear of heights
By DAVID SALTONSTALL
DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
Friday, October 18th, 2002
Wimps.
The U.S. Customs Service, which lost its home at 6 World Trade Center on Sept. 11, has not moved back downtown because it's now afraid of tall buildings.
The agency's fear of heights was spelled out yesterday at a City Council subcommittee, as Customs brass admitted they were "avoiding high-rise office space."
"We did not look for space much higher than the 11th floor," explained Susan Mitchell, director of field operations for Customs, whose 750 WTC employees have been scattered throughout the region, including New Jersey, since the attacks.
"Frankly," she added, "I am having a hard time getting employees to go to the 11th floor."
The agency's ongoing acrophobia left some City Council members flabbergasted.
"That's outrageous," said City Councilman Alan Gerson, a Democrat who represents lower Manhattan from his 20th-floor apartment. "I mean, people live in lower Manhattan, children grow up in lower Manhattan - all above the 11th floor.
"It's more of an excuse than anything else," Gerson added.
The peculiar restriction came to light as the agency - which has recently talked internally of abandoning New York for a new, permanent facility in Newark - reversed course and announced its long-term "intentions" to build a new Customs House in lower Manhattan.
'Symbolic office'
In the short-term, agency Commissioner Robert Bonner informed Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that he would explore the possibility "of establishing a small and somewhat symbolic office in lower Manhattan."
"This letter is the first good sign from Customs," Schumer told The News yesterday. "It at least indicates an intent to find space downtown, but we have a long way to go."
A recent survey by realtors Cushman & Wakefield found some 25 available offices in downtown Manhattan that could meet the agency's needs - although it wasn't clear how many were above the 11th floor.