On Tuesday of this week, New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission refused landmark status for the building at the centre of the ‘mega mosque’ controversy near ground zero in New York.
The landmark status claim was a last ditch attempt by the vociferous opponents of the mosque who say that building it so close to ground zero is disrespectful to the victims of the Twin Towers attack. Supporters of the idea have argued that the proposed building is two whole blocks away from ground zero, and that the building itself is far more than just a mosque but an Islamic centre that is in part designed to promote religious tolerance.
The preservation commissioners voted unanimously against the landmark status for 45-47 Park Place. Even had the commission voted in favour of landmark status then they still could not have prevented the group behind the proposal from building a community centre, they could only have prevented them from demolishing the building or radically changing its exterior.