Paterson to Meet Mosque Developers

Governor's been pushing for an alternate location for the center
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 17, 2010 3:28 PM CDT
Paterson to Meet Mosque Developers
New York Gov. David Paterson listens to a speaker during a legislative leaders meeting at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Might there be some mosque diplomacy in the works? Gov. David Paterson says he plans to meet soon with developers of the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero, presumably to discuss an alternate location, the Washington Post reports. A spokesman says no date has been set, and the Coroba House developers say the same. But Rep. Peter King (a staunch opponent of the project) says Paterson told him the meeting would be this week.

Paterson has previously offered additional state funds to the developers if they agreed to move, an idea they rejected. "I think it's rather clear that building a center there meets all the requirements, but it does seem to ignite an immense amount of anxiety among the citizens of New York and people everywhere, and I think not without cause," the governor said last week.
(More David Paterson stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X