Explain it to me...

[Bubba1235]

Adults who visit the Sept. 11 museum at the World Trade Center will be charged $24 admission. The foundation board that oversees the lower Manhattan museum voted Thursday on the admission fee. Families of Sept. 11 victims won't be charged. There will be discounts for children, seniors and schools.

So if I read it right, the ONLY people paying full admission are the tax payers that footed the bill to build it???

$24 general admission price set for NY 9/11 museum: Associated Press Business News - MSN Money

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Explain it to me...

You need an explanation?

It's the same reason you have to pay, at a public boat ramp, that fishing license fees paid for and are used for maintenance.

They charge because they CAN.

I would like to know how they are going to identify "victim" family members. Do they carry a "Victim" card?

 

[agallant80]

Re: Explain it to me...

Only free museum I know of is the Smithsonian system.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Explain it to me...

I have no issue with it either way, all can pay or only non-9-11 folks. Always wanted to see the Empire state building, so two years ago I went, afterwards I left I felt ripped off. I wouldn't mind seeing the 9-11 spot and what they have done, but think I just keep it that way. No way to feel ripped off if I never go, don't like large crowds anyway.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Explain it to me...

So if I read it right, the ONLY people paying full admission are the tax payers that footed the bill to build it???

I guess you missed this:

Foundation officials say charging admission is necessary to cover the $60 million a year it'll cost to operate the site.
The museum has raised $700 million for construction costs but hasn't gotten government funds for operations.

 

[gm280]

Re: Explain it to me...

Adults who visit the Sept. 11 museum at the World Trade Center will be charged $24 admission. The foundation board that oversees the lower Manhattan museum voted Thursday on the admission fee. Families of Sept. 11 victims won't be charged. There will be discounts for children, seniors and schools.

So if I read it right, the ONLY people paying full admission are the tax payers that footed the bill to build it???

$24 general admission price set for NY 9/11 museum: Associated Press Business News - MSN Money

My personal opinion is that this is sad. Sad to think that some body made a decision to charge the public for which should be a monument to the tragic event, especially being how the new building(s) were tax payer funded. How can anybody look to make money off of such a tragedy is beyond me. But as I do get older I see more things in this world that just doesn't make good common sense...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Explain it to me...

A very small amount of money was provided by federal grants to build the memorial and museum. It is run by a non-profit. They aren't making a profit. They are trying to cover costs. :facepalm:

If they ever get government funding, I am sure they will lower admission.

 

[gm280]

Re: Explain it to me...

A very small amount of money was provided by federal grants to build the memorial and museum. It is run by a non,

If what you posted is correct, and I have no reason to doubt you, then I could see a nominal fee. However, the posted $60 million dollars a year operating cost seems a bit high in my book. If you figure into the entrance fee(s) and all the material and/or souvenirs they will most likely be selling, I see it as a money making operation big time.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Explain it to me...

I won't be going as I think it is a boondoggle, I will get crap for this but people died get over it. At some point we will use all our land for memorials and graveyards so soon we will have no land to grow food.

 

[QC]

Re: Explain it to me...

Keep this one nice and friendly, guys

 

[agallant80]

Re: Explain it to me...

I don't know how they are going to stay in business. The operating costs must be through the roof and if I was an outsider visiting NY I think I would rather not think about 9/11. I went to the sight about a year after, saw the holes in the ground it was enough for me.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Explain it to me...

I see people wanting to visit the site as they do with war memorials and national battle fields.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Explain it to me...

If you figure into the entrance fee(s) and all the material and/or souvenirs they will most likely be selling, I see it as a money making operation big time.

At $24 a head, the break even point is 2.5 million visitors per year. That comes out to almost 7,000 paying customers thru the door a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I wouldn't loan someone $50 with a business model like that.

 

[Splat]

Re: Explain it to me...

The only thing that should have been built there were exact copies of the original towers. Nothing else. Nothing else would have united the US more, and shown our ability to stand tall and strong against those who want to do us harm.

If I ever go to NY, I will never visit that place, free admission or not.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Explain it to me...

No I didn't miss it and that wasn't my issue. The issue I have is everyone gets a free pass / low cost, except the working people that paid for it to begin with.

Only $70 million of federal grant money was used to build it. The $0.35 that the average American paid for the building isn't covering the $60 million/year operating costs which the government isn't covering.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Explain it to me...

Have never been to New York . Heck I have never been anywhere . :facepalm:
Would like to go and pay respects though . I feel even though I did not have any family members that died on 9/11 that as an American we are all family . I don't know but 60 million/year seems kinda high to operate a museum . Maybe that includes the reflection pools and everything . If I ever did go I guess I would fork out the 25 bucks but that would be a one visit deal ..

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Explain it to me...

Someone explain 60 million.
1. That's 6000 employees at $100,000 a year
2. Electric bill is 5 million a month?
3. 6 million paint cans ?
I lived in the city for a year. Learned all I needed to know. Never went back. I do want to take my kids to the smithsonian and some of the battlefields.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Explain it to me...

Someone explain 60 million.
1. That's 6000 employees at $100,000 a year

:facepalm:
You might want to try a calculator. That's too many zeroes

Bottom line and at least part OP's answer is that building and facility operation is expensive.
I'd be inte3rested to know whether they carry a full municipal tax load.

 

[britisher]

Re: Explain it to me...

Define 'Victim' in this case?
The poor folks in the towers were for certain victims. The first responders and anyone else who rushed to assist and later succumbed to lung damage, etc from the dust, are they victims? Are all the people who's lives were forever changed by what happened on that fateful day victims? I think the answer to all 3 is everyone was a victim on that day. The only difference is that some are living and some are not.
What may have worked better for the 'Museum" (seems an odd title for such a place...Hall of Remembrance might be more appropriate) might be a No charge entry and 'Make a Donation as you leave.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Explain it to me...

Edit: Wall Street issues are irrelevant and turn this political.

I'm not sure I'd pay to see it anyway. It's an architectural eyesore, if ever there was one. Thoroughly, uninspired and unoriginal. No to mention overpriced, behind schedule and half empty (not enough tenants you see). I can't imagine why. It's not as if it's a conspicuous display of wealth that sticks out like a sore thumb in the skyline, or represents all that is banal and "blingy" in modern society thus making it a target for any future attacks.....oh wait.......