Welcoming Back Tenants After The 1993 Bombing
Welcoming Back Tenants After The 1993 Bombing
In the wake of the 1993 bombing, which killed six people, injured more than a 1,000 and forced nearly 50,000 tenants to evacuate the World Trade Center, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey worked to help tenants maintain a sense of optimism and solidarity when returning back to work.
A crew of 2,700 worked around the clock to repair the damage. Less than a month after the bombing, the South Tower reopened on Mar. 18, 1993. The North Tower reopened a few weeks later on Apr. 1, 1993.
The Port Authority welcomed back tenants with “Welcome Back” mugs, umbrellas, coupon booklets for discounts in the shopping mall, and other souvenirs. The buildings also had counselors on site to help those who were nervous returning to work. Although these measures brought some comfort to tenants, the bombing would have lasting affects for all survivors.
“Being back in the building, then—everybody had a flashlight at their desks,” said Jeannine Ali, recalling her feelings about returning to the scene of a deadly terror attack. “You never went off the floor without your pocketbook or your wallet. I remember I would travel to meetings with my purse, whereas before 1993 it never would have crossed my mind.”
By 9/11 Memorial Staff
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