October 2, 2010
DO THEY CALL THE 92ND STREET Y A TEMPLE?:
First look at Ground Zero mosque (ASSOCIATED PRESS, October 2, 2010)
The largest part of the building — four of 16 floors — would be taken up by a sports, fitness and swimming center. Another full floor would be occupied by a child care center and playground.Much of the rest of the building would be occupied by a restaurant, culinary school, artist studios, exhibition space and an auditorium for cultural events.
El-Gamal said the idea was to build a facility that will attract neighborhood residents looking for a place to work out, as well as suburban Muslim couples spending "date night" in the city.
The building's prayer space for Muslims — the part of the center that has caused some critics to derisively brand the center the "ground zero mega mosque" — would be located on two levels in the basement. The 12th floor would hold a 9/11 memorial and sanctuary open to people of all faiths.
As for the look of the place, it could fit in fine as an annex to Superman's Fortress of Solitude, with white walls and floors and a crystalline feel.
It's certainly ugly enough to be modern, not fundamentalist.
