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Bay Ridge lawmakers get One World Trade to light gold

August 21, 2014 Meaghan McGoldrick

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On the heels of the Empire State Building’s recent refusal to light the 103-story skyscraper gold this September, and just days after a letter from local politicians, One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, has agreed to “go gold” in honor of pediatric cancer the night of Tuesday, September 2.

“We received a response to our letter,” announced Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis on Thursday, August 21, thanking Pat Foye, chairperson of the Port Authority, as well as the Durst Organization, which manages One World Trade Center, for showing their compassion and agreeing to light the tower in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and The Gold World Project – a global initiative founded by New Hampshire resident Tony Stoddard who lost his five-year-old son, Cole, to Neuroblastoma.

The Gold World Project, though well received by landmarks like The Prudential Center, The Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls, was snubbed by the Empire State Building, said Stoddard and supporters. Subsequently, officials for the skyscraper have since said that they do not take requests from individuals and urged The Gold World Project to try again next year.

“The families affected by this horrible disease have spearheaded a wonderful initiative to find a cure, and we could not be more pleased that the Port Authority and America’s tallest building, One World Trade Center, have joined this noble cause,” Malliotakis said.

Malliotakis – alongside fellow Bay Ridge pols Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny, Congressmember Michael Grimm, Councilmember Vincent Gentile and State Senator Marty Golden – had penned a letter to the Port Authority in support of “Go Gold Bay Ridge,” a month-long effort founded by local non-profit organization Bay Ridge Cares to exhibit gold ribbons, gold bows and gold lightings throughout the neighborhood during the month of September.

One World Trade Center joins the likes of landmarks across the globe, as well as Brooklyn’s own Parachute Jump, in supporting The Gold World Project this September. “Go Gold Bay Ridge” will top off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a fundraising event on Saturday, September 27 at Saint Patrick’s.