Charity Behind 9/11 Lights Seeking Funds to Maintain Yearly Display

The nonprofit group that beams twin pillars of light from the foundation of the former World Trade Center each September 11 is raising money to ensure the memorial display remains a yearly fixture, says The Wall Street Journal.

The Municipal Arts Society built the light display and his financed it on a year-to-year-basis for the past decade, at an annual cost of up to $500,000. The charity will begin seeking donations around Labor Day to establish an endowment to provide permanent support.

While an online solicitation says that “the future of the lights is not guaranteed” past this year’s 10th anniversary, Vin Cipolla, president of the society, said it is committed to producing the display next year and beyond.

New York City officials say they are forming a new board to oversee development of a long-planned performing-arts center at the World Trade Center site, according to the Associated Press.

The article details the history of the project, which members of the local community board call vital to the area’s rebirth and to which the city and state have pledged $155-million, as well as numerous fund-raising and logistical obstacles remaining in its path.

For more about charity efforts related to the 10th anniversary of the attacks, see The Chronicle’s new blog.