NEW YORK--The Statue of Liberty, closed because of the government shutdown, will re-open this weekend, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced late Friday.
The state will pay for the park personnel, at a daily cost of $61,600, to keep Liberty Island National Park open during the shutdown, Cuomo’s office said in a news release.
“The Statue of Liberty is one of this country’s most recognizable landmarks, attracting millions of visitors to the state every year, and its closure these last 12 days has had a terrible impact on the local economy and tourism industry,” Cuomo said in the announcement. “With the Columbus Day holiday weekend upon us, I am pleased to reopen Lady Liberty to visitors and look forward to seeing local businesses bustling once again. We will not allow this international symbol of freedom to remain closed because of the dysfunction and gridlock of Washington. I commend Secretary Jewell for reaching this agreement, and urge Congress to open the government.”
The funds could potentially be reimbursed, if Congress at some point passes a law to provide refunds to individual states--such as Arizona--that are making similar moves.
The state has agreed to pay for the first four days of re-opening the park, with the funding coming from the tourism budget. To keep the park open, the state must give the U.S. Department of the Interior two days’ notice for every additional two days.
Because of the shutdown, more than 400 people have lost their jobs. Statue Cruises, which provides ferry rides to the island has seen its daily ridership drop 50-70 percent, and the company now has 180 jobs at risk.
The Grand Canyon will also re-open after Arizona struck a deal to pay for its operation, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said on Friday night.
