Developers of a Muslim community center near the site of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in New York Wednesday declined an offer by Gov. David Paterson to relocate the project.

Paterson had suggested Tuesday that state-owned property could provide an alternative building site for the controversial project.

“If the sponsors were looking for property anywhere at a distance that would be such that it would accommodate a better feeling among the people who are frustrated, I would look into trying to provide them with the state property they would need,” Paterson told reporters.

Developers say the current location for the project – two blocks from ground zero – was selected intentionally to serve the Lower Manhattan community.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for our governor, and we are always interested in hearing what our leaders have to say, and what their ideas and proposals are. But this has always been about serving Lower Manhattan,” said developer Sharif El-Gamal of Soho Properties.

The proposed $100 million, 13-story facility, which is being built by the Cordoba Initiative, will include a mosque, performing arts center, gym, swimming pool and other public spaces. The Cordoba Initiative describes itself as a Muslim outreach group.

The project has drawn fierce opposition from many families of victims of the 9/11 attacks, as well as from several members of Congress and some religious groups. Some have argued that building a mosque near ground zero is disrespectful to the victims of the attacks.

“I don’t have any objection to it being built there,” Paterson said Tuesday. “But I am very sensitive to the desire of those who are adamant against it to see something else worked out.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other city leaders support the center.

“Those of us in public service are going to have to create a greater dialogue right now to try to make sure those feelings are heard to whatever extent we can,” Paterson said.

(Source: CNN)