NEW YORK CITY.- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki today announced plans to move forward with two temporary memorial projects to commemorate the lives of those lost six months ago in the World Trade Center tragedy and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Both interim memorials will open during ceremonies planned for March 11th. "The Sphere" will be dedicated in Historic Battery Park during an early morning ceremony and the "Tribute in Light" memorial will be lit shortly after dusk later that day. The announcement was made in Historic Battery Park, where "The Sphere" will be placed. Also attending were Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) Chairman John C. Whitehead, LMDC President Lou Tomson, Port Authority Vice Chairman Charles A. Gargano, Mayor's Liaison to the Families and Member of the LMDC Families Advisory Council Christy Ferer, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Executive Director of the Conservancy for Historic Battery Park Warrie Price, Municipal Art Society of New York City (MAS) Chairman Philip K. Howard, Creative Time Chairman Tom Healy, and Public Art Fund President Susan Freedman. "The intention of the interim memorials is to provide all New Yorkers with a place to pay tribute to the memory of those we have lost in the tragic events of September 11th and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Our hope is that the 'Tribute in Light' memorial provides a small amount of respite, and that 'The Sphere' memorial serves as a place to mourn and reflect. Both memorials express the power of art to heal and serve as a symbol of the spirit and courage of America and the resilience of New York City." "Nothing can truly blunt the feeling of loss for the victims' families, and for all New Yorkers, but both 'The Sphere' - a monument that symbolized fostering world peace when it was a focal point in the World Trade Center Plaza - and 'Tribute in Light' - beams of light that will temporarily illuminate the night sky - will be a fitting interim commemorations of the sacrifices made," said Governor Pataki. "As we strive to heal from the unspeakable horror of September 11th, we can look to these symbols of hope as places from which we draw strength, and remember." "'The Sphere' was always an important meeting place and has great personal significance for those who worked in the World Trade Center," said Ms. Ferer. "For that reason, it is an appropriate and touching symbol to show that the spirit of global peace it represents will endure." The first memorial, "Tribute in Light," consists of two great beams of light that will rise from Lot 26, bounded by West Street, Murray Street, Vesey Street and the Embassy Suites Hotel in Battery Park City, and will shine each night for thirty-two days from dusk to 11 p.m. The installation consists of two banks of forty-four spotlights each, projecting about a mile into the night sky. "The unique collaboration of organizations and talented artists is a testament to New York's resiliency," said Municipal Art Society Chairman Howard. "The 'Tribute in Light' is more than just two beacons of light, but a tribute to the memory of all those who have been lost as well as a symbol of the spirit of our great city. We hope these lights will help fill the hole left in our hearts as they fill the void left in our beloved skyline." The "Tribute in Light" memorial was made possible through the generous support of The General Electric Company, Deutsche Bank, and AOL/Time Warner. Contributing Sponsors include Con Edison, Agnes Gund, Alliance for Downtown NY, Covington & Burling, The Rudin Foundation, Mark Fletcher & Tobias Meyer, Robert Wood Johnson IV, MetLife, David Rockefeller, and Sullivan & Cromwell. The Creative Team for the "Tribute in Light" project includes John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi, Richard Nash Gould, Julian Laverdiere, Paul Marantz, and Paul Myoda, and was organized by the Municipal Art Society of New York with artistic support from Creative Time. The centerpiece of the second interim memorial project will be "The Sphere," a 15-foot diameter, 45,000 pound, steel and bronze sculptor created by sculptor Fritz Koenig in 1971 as a monument to fostering peace through world trade. "The Sphere," which sat atop a granite fountain in the center of the 5-acre World Trade Center plaza, will now be part of a memorial situated in Historic Battery Park, on the Eisenhower Mall, near Bowling Green and adjacent to the Hope Garden. It will be framed by rows of trees and park benches on either side. During the events of September 11th, "The Sphere" sustained a gash through its center but remained structurally intact, and had been safeguarded by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey since that time. "'The Sphere' is a fitting centerpiece for the interim memorial," said LMDC Chairman Whitehead. "It has always served as a symbol of world peace and now it will stand as a testament to our resilience in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. The interim memorial will provide a respectful and contemplative place for families, survivors and the general public, while the creation of a permanent memorial is pursued." "Numerous talented people devoted their time and energy to conceive and then implement plans for an interim memorial that would be in place by March 11th," said LMDC President Lou Tomson. "I want to thank all of the agencies and individuals who made this memorial a reality, especially the families, whose insight helped guide us throughout this important process." "The Port Authority family lost 75 police and civilian coworkers on September 11th. I can think of no better tribute to their memory, and to the nearly 3,000 other men and women who were killed that day, than the memorials announced by Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki," said Port Authority Vice Chairman Gargano. "Both projects will create memorials that evoke the sorrow and hope that all New Yorkers share.