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World Trade Center Sphere Being Moved From Battery Park To Storage

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The future of the World Trade Center sphere is now unclear.

WCBS 880's Sean Adams On The Story

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Initially, the 25-foot bronze sculpture designed by Fritz Koenig stood between the Twin Towers as a symbol of world peace.

It somehow survived the 9/11 terror attacks, and emerged from the rubble only with a large gash.

After that it was moved to Battery Park, where it became a monument, and a symbol of strength and perseverance.

Now, the sphere must be moved again. At month's end, it will be taken away to make way for park renovations. It will likely go into storage at a hangar at JFK Airport, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.

Some in the 9/11 family community are calling that a travesty, Adams reported.

The Port Authority has stated that it might eventually install the sphere at the yet to be built Liberty Park, south of the World Trade Center site.

That's not good enough for some families.

"Why not return it to where it was? Where it was a symbol of world peace for 30 years. Where it survived the attacks that took place and was embraced as an icon of the resiliency, the perseverance, the strength of America and peace and cooperation?" Michael Burke asked Adams. Burke lost his brother, fire captain William Burke, on 9/11.

He is among those who want the sphere on the 9/11 Memorial plaza. They started an online petition that has generated more than 7,000 signatures.

The memorial foundation maintains there is no place for the sphere on the plaza in the grove of oak trees.

What do you think should be done with the sphere? Sound off in the comments section below!

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