New renderings of the planned Park51 community center
SOMA Architects, the designers of Lower Manhattan’s controversial Park51 Islamic community center, have released new renderings (above) of the 18-story building, slated for the former Burlington Coat Factory site two blocks from the World Trade Center. Meanwhile, developer Sharif El-Gamal appeared on the “Today Show” to address the controversy as the eye-catching designs were released to the public. “This has been very unexpected. It’s been an eye-opener to see how my country, the United States, views my religion, Islam. It’s been a very humbling moment and it’s been a very sad moment for me, personally,” he told host Matt Lauer. Watch the video below. TRD