Watch CBS News

Mayor De Blasio Calls On Feds To Contribute Funding For 9/11 Museum

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is calling for the federal government to help support the Sept. 11 museum at the World Trade Center.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is set to open this spring after years of delays.

But officials at the museum have not yet secured funding for its $60 million annual budget.

Mayor De Blasio Calls On Feds To Contribute Funding For 9/11 Museum

"We want to make sure it's properly supported," de Blasio told reporters, including WCBS 880's Marla Diamond, on Wednesday.

LINKNational September 11 Memorial & Museum

The museum was denied by Congress and by de Blasio's predecessor, Michael Bloomberg. Its officials will ask de Blasio to reconsider Bloomberg's decision.

"This is a nationally important site. It's something that people come to from all over the country, all over the world and we need the federal government to join with us," said the mayor.

De Blasio would not say whether the city might help.

Rendering of the 9/11 Museum
Rendering of the 9/11 Museum (credit: Thinc Design with Local Projects)

The museum will charge around $20 per ticket. Ticket and souvenir sales should cover about 60 percent of the $60 million budget.

Some family members of 9/11 victims have complained about the delay in opening the museum. It'll open 12 and a half years after the terror attacks. Family members have also said the museum should be free.

The museum will feature hundreds of artifacts, each with their own stories.

A section of the so-called survivor's stairs will be on display, along with a red bandana that belonged to a trader who was also a volunteer firefighter. He ran back into the burning South Tower to try to rescue those trapped inside.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories


(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.