So... what is happening with the world trade center project?

jorian · 03-31-2010, 08:58 PM

Next September will be the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. What is the hold-up? The credit crunch can't really be blamed. Is Bloomberg holding things up?

A big hole in the ground is a painful reminder - a new complex with New Yorkers earning money and contributing tax revenues seems like a good way to move on.

genrex · 04-01-2010, 12:30 AM

60 Minutes did a piece on it recently.

It's an enormous hole in the ground, with water and mud at the bottom of the hole. About 7 billion dollars has been spent on the project so far. At this point there are no plans to start laying the foundation(s). This travesty has nothing to do with Bloomberg. It is entirely a battle of egos between the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey, who jointly own the site.

Langers · 04-01-2010, 02:38 AM

WTF how do you spend $7bn on a hole in the ground?

masraum · 04-01-2010, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langers

WTF how do you spend $7bn on a hole in the ground?

Dig a big hole, throw in money....

jwasbury · 04-01-2010, 04:15 AM

As the crow flies I live about 2 miles from the site, and I pass through there somewhat frequently (but not daily as my office is in midtown nyc).

I did not see this 60 minutes piece, but I can tell you that work is being done. There must be some foundation because they have been erecting steel for a while now. Last time I was there (a couple weeks ago now), there was steel rising up several stories above grade that has to be one of the new towers.

Also, last time I checked, NY and NJ do not have separate port authorities...the entity is the Port Authority of NY and NJ. It is a quasi-governmental organization that exists above and between the two states. This entity owns the WTC real estate 100%, among other things. The Port Authority acquired the real estate when they took over the bankrupt Hudson and Manhattan railroad, which is now the PATH commuter train between NY and NJ. The PATH station is at the bottom of the "hole in the ground" at the WTC site and was reopened in late 2003, early 2004, so there is quite a bit more than water and mud in the hole.

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

Here you go. A construction gallery of what's been going on the last ten years:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_World_Trade_Center#Construction_gallery

Pictures from March 2010:

genrex · 05:02 AM

The 60 Minutes report was obviously incorrect (thank goodness).

Thank you for the pictures! It's very heartening to see something going up.

The link above says construction might take another 8 years, which indicates they're staying with a multi-building design for the site..

legion · 04-01-2010, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langers

WTF how do you spend $7bn on a hole in the ground?

Ask Boston.

Gogar · 07:36 AM

60 minutes wasn't wrong. It's govt bunglitude at its finest.

here:

gassy · 04-01-2010, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

Ask Boston.

OMG how true--what a nightmare...

VenezianBlau 87 · 04-01-2010, 08:08 AM

Hope there's no federal money involved.

chicago_82sc · chicago_82sc's Garage

I seem to recall that Frontline also did a show some time back on the issue. The developer who holds the 100 year lease was not happy with the first design for Freedom Tower and hired his own architect to design the building(s). The developer was concerned that he wouldn't be able to maximize the rentals given the "compromises" of the original design. Big fight insued.

deanp · 04-01-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Langers View Post
WTF how do you spend $7bn on a hole in the ground?
Ask Boston.

Actually our wonderful state has spent more than double that on our hole in the ground... last figure I saw was $14.6bn....

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I wish they'd rebuild the Twin Towers exactly as they were, make them one story taller and put a memorial on that top floor. Otherwise, they could make it three towers with the middle one being tallest so as to look like a middle finger to the ragheads.

jwasbury · 04-01-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I wish they'd rebuild the Twin Towers exactly as they were, make them one story taller and put a memorial on that top floor. Otherwise, they could make it three towers with the middle one being tallest so as to look like a middle finger to the ragheads.

Funny...my idea was to rebuild, make it the tallest building in the world and mount a huge anti aircraft cannon on the top...

jorian · 04-01-2010, 10:17 AM

9 Billion in cost to date and that is all they have to show for it? I shudder to think what the cost to complete is.

That site is not like others. It represents an opportunity to showcase all the things that make the US great: ingenuity, creativity, the great capacity to overcome adversity, entrepreneurial spirit, standard of living, unity, etc. When people visit one of the greatest sites in arguably the greatest city in the world they should come away with a sense of wonder. I hope the plan lives up to it's potential.

Heel n Toe · 04-01-2010, 01:04 PM

It's George W. Bush's fault.

Seriously, though... like Rick, I've wished we could rebuild them just as they were, but I think I heard or read that most people who lost friends and relatives in the attack don't want to see them rebuilt like that... too painful.

RPKESQ · 04-01-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorian

That site is not like others. It represents an opportunity to showcase all the things that make the US great: ingenuity, creativity, the great capacity to overcome adversity, entrepreneurial spirit, standard of living, unity, etc. When people visit one of the greatest sites in arguably the greatest city in the world they should come away with a sense of wonder. I hope the plan lives up to it's potential.

Hear, hear!

Abso-bloody-lutly.