Barry A. Gosin, chairman of Newmark & Co., says the firm has already beefed up building security over the past several months, but that no new protection will be put in place on Sept. 11. "We will, of course, be on a higher state of alert, but then we've been at a level of heightened security for coming up on a year now." Regardless, says Gosin, trying to guess a future attack date is futile at best. He laments, "If they know we're going to be on alert on Sept. 11, why not hit us on Sept. 12?"
An additional concern to some property owners is where the responsibility for protection actually lies. "Security is a police function," says Robert Selsam, senior vice president at Boston Properties. He tells GlobeSt.com that the company's Sept. 11 plans include "business as usual, underscored with recognition of the event."
"That's simply not true," says REBNY president Steven Spinola, responding to Selsam's suggestion that the New York Police Dept. oversee building security. "You can't expect the police to oversee and monitor the office space in New York City. That responsibility lies with the building owners."
"We will not be putting increased security measures put into place on that day, but the specifics will be left up the property managers themselves," a TrizecHahn spokesperson tells GlobeSt.com. "Most of our buildings will display some type of signage, noting the date and having a respectful phrase of commemoration."
Many owners will be following the guidelines of an August REBNY memo on how to deal with the anniversary. "We suggest that each building owner fly our country's flag at half-mast, and/or display the flag in the building's lobby," says the memo. "To commemorate this day, let us all wear an apple pin or a flag as we carry out the business of selling and building New York."
"None of our clients will be doing anything special with regards to security concerns on Sept. 11," a CB Richard Ellis spokesperson tells GlobeSt.com.
An Insignia/ESG spokesperson declined to comment on the company's security plans for tomorrow.
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