New Jersey’s Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial Still Awaits Completion as 25th Anniversary Nears

As the United States prepares to observe the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, renewed attention is being drawn to New Jersey’s Empty Sky Memorial, where families of victims and long-time supporters say the site remains unfinished despite years of promises.

The Empty Sky Memorial, located at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, honours the 749 New Jersey residents who lost their lives during the attacks on the World Trade Center. While major 9/11 memorials in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania have long been completed and maintained, advocates say New Jersey’s memorial still lacks several key features that were originally included in its design.

Families of victims, veterans, architects, and nonprofit leaders have expressed growing concern that important improvements have not moved forward, even as the nation approaches one of the most significant anniversaries of the tragedy.

The memorial was officially dedicated on September 11, 2011, but supporters say several planned elements were never completed. Among the unfinished work are stainless steel exterior panels that were meant to display the words “Never Forget” and “Always In Our Hearts”. Without those panels, critics argue that the memorial does not reflect the vision originally approved for the project.

Supporters also point to other unresolved issues that affect visitors’ experience. Many of the cherry trees planted around the memorial have died and have not been replaced. The lighting system designed to illuminate the names of victims at night is no longer operational, leaving the memorial dark after sunset. Interactive kiosks that were intended to help visitors locate individual names have also stopped functioning.

Advocates say these missing features are more than cosmetic concerns. They believe each element was carefully designed to honour those who lost their lives while providing families and visitors with a meaningful place for remembrance and reflection.

Another concern involves the names displayed on the memorial. Supporters say additional victims have been officially identified over the years, but several names have yet to be added to the memorial. For affected families, they say, every missing name represents an unfinished promise.

Mike Danatos, a retired Air Force veteran and one of the original members of the Family and Survivors Memorial Committee, has been among those urging state officials to complete the project. His brother-in-law, Brian Martineau of Edison, New Jersey, died during the collapse of the World Trade Center after reportedly allowing a coworker to take his place on an elevator, a decision that helped save the coworker’s life.

Danatos said families have spent years waiting for the memorial to fully reflect the sacrifice of those who were lost. He believes the state should make completion of the project a priority before the anniversary commemorations.

Architect Jessica Jamroz, who co-designed the Empty Sky Memorial with the late architect Frederic Schwartz, has also spoken publicly about the unfinished condition of the site. She said the memorial was originally envisioned as a complete experience in which every design element worked together to tell the story of loss, remembrance, and hope.

According to Jamroz, the missing exterior cladding, lighting, landscaping, and other unfinished features prevent visitors from experiencing the memorial as it was intended. She has described the unfinished exterior as inconsistent with the original architectural vision and believes completing the remaining work would restore both its appearance and its purpose.

The Empty Sky Memorial consists of two long concrete walls positioned parallel to each other, creating an open walkway that directs visitors toward the skyline where the World Trade Center once stood. The names of New Jersey’s victims are engraved along the stainless steel interior walls, allowing visitors to walk between the structures while looking toward Lower Manhattan across the Hudson River.

The memorial’s name symbolises the empty space left in the New York skyline after the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, creating a powerful visual reminder of the lives lost that day.

Supporters estimate that completing the remaining work would require approximately $15 million. Some believe the project could be funded through a combination of public resources and private donations, arguing that businesses, nonprofit organisations, and individuals across New Jersey may be willing to support the effort.

Chris Meek, founder and CEO of the nonprofit 9/11 Legacy Foundation, has also called for renewed action. He believes finishing the memorial would honour victims while bringing together communities across political lines around a shared commitment to remembrance.

Advocates say they have continued seeking meetings with state officials in hopes of establishing a clear timeline for completing the project. While discussions have taken place regarding preparations for the upcoming 25th anniversary, supporters say they are still waiting for specific commitments regarding the unfinished portions of the memorial.

As commemorations draw closer, families say completing the memorial would demonstrate New Jersey’s continued commitment to honouring those who lost their lives on September 11. For many, the project represents more than construction work—it represents fulfilling a promise made to victims, survivors, and future generations.

With thousands of visitors expected to reflect on the events of 9/11 during this milestone anniversary, supporters believe the Empty Sky Memorial deserves to fully represent the sacrifice, courage, and resilience of the New Jersey residents whose names are permanently etched within its walls.

Sources

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
• Liberty State Park – New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• National September 11 Memorial & Museum
• 9/11 Memorial Glade Official Information
• 9/11 Legacy Foundation