NEW YORK, NY May 10, 2006 —Governor Pataki is urging the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation to continue fundraising, despite concerns over the growing costs. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

REPORTER: The foundation suspended its fundraising because the costs for a memorial and underground museum had escalated and board members wanted to make sure the design wouldn't change. The latest estimates put the cost at almost $1 billion, which Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki then capped at $500 million. But Pataki says that's no reason for the fundation to stop fundraising.

PATAKI: The memorial will be constructed, it will contain the essential elements.

REPORTER: Those elements include two reflecting pools in the original footprints of the Twin Towers. The foundation has raised $130 million so far. Board members say they can raise more money and hopefully still open by 2009 if donors are assured about the final design.