Documents filed to acquire land for Flight 93 memorial

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The federal government has filed court documents to acquire land needed for the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Tuesday’s condemnation filing was expected. Quarry company Svonavec Inc., the Families of Flight 93 group and the government announced in January they’d agreed to let a court decide the value of the 276 acres, including the impact site.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Schollaert says the government believes just compensation is $611,000.

The $58 million, 2,200-acre memorial is scheduled to open on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The 9/11 Commission report said hijackers crashed the plane as passengers tried to seize control of the cockpit, avoiding a potential crash into the White House or Capitol. All 33 passengers and seven crew members died.