Archived News -- February 2003

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February 28 2003

On February 28, the NY Post ran a column by Steve Cuozzo criticizing the Libeskind plan and the process that brought it about.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Columnists: "New WTC Plan: No Finest Hour," by Steve Cuozzo

On February 28, the NY Post ran an editorial lambasting the Libeskind plan. "But make no mistake: Pataki is driving the Downtown wagon, all by himself, and so the choice of Daniel Libeskind's design for the World Trade Center site was his to make. So he made it: A mausoleum with a minaret in the middle."

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Editorials: "The Libeskind Illusion"

On February 28, the NY Post reported that the Libeskind plan would feature the following modifications: restoration of all 10 million square feet of office space, softening the edges of its jagged buildings, a rooftop restaraurant in its signature tower and surrounding the bathtub walls in glass. Larry Silverstein who a week ago reviled the Libeskind plan, today called it, "He says the Libeskind plan is exactly what was required and is a perfect site plan."

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "A Newer Look for a New WTC," by William Neuman

On February 28, the NY Daily News reported that Larry Silverstein would finance the 1,776-foot Libeskind spire.

NY Daily News: "Silverstein In-Spired to Fund Tower," by Maggie Haberman and Greg Gittrich



February 27, 2003

On February 27, the NY Times ran an analysis on what could follow the LMDC's master plan choice. Leasehold owner Larry Silverstein is not particularly interested in building to the Libeskind plan, the City and Port Authority are still negotiating a land swap, and the plan itself could be scrapped by the number of compromises needed to be made.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "A Memorial, Yes, but Battle Lines Form for Everything Else," by Charles V. Bagli

On February 27, the NY Post ran its report on the selection of the Libeskind plan.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "New Downtown Begins," by William Neuman



February 26, 2003

The LMDC has selected the Libeskind plan as its master plan.

1010 WINS: "Final Design Chosen for Future WTC Site"

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Libeskind Plan Chosen for Rebuilding at Ground Zero," by Edward Wyatt

Today is the Tenth Anniversary of the 1993 WTC Bombing, in which 6 people were killed and over 1,000 injured. The intent was to fell the Twin Towers by collapsing one onto the other with a truck bomb. Though the terrorists' mission failed, because the incident was treated as a crime and not as an act of war, the second attempt at destroying the World Trade Center did succeed on September 11, 2001.

On February 26, the NY Post ran an editorial regarding the 1993 WTC bombing and how it was the precursor to the 9/11 attacks.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Editorials: "9/11, the Prequel"

On February 26, the NY Times and the Daily News reported that the LMDC is favoring the THINK proposal, however, this is creating dissention among other rebuilding officials, who favor Libeskind's propsal. The LMDC will announce its master site plan tomorrow.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Panel Makes Unexpected Choice for World Trade Center Site," by Edward Wyatt

NY Daily News: "Dispute over WTC Choice," by Maggie Haberman and Greg Gittrich

On February 26, 1010 WINS reported that the Board of Trade is returning to Lower Manhattan, locating at the World Financial Center. The Board of Trade's headquarters, consisting of trading facility, back offices and datacenter were located in 4 WTC, which was destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. The Board signed a 10-year lease with the Mercantile Exchange for 45,000 square feet of trading and office space.

1010 WINS: "Board of Trade Returning to Lower Manhattan"



February 25, 2003

On February 25, the NY Post columnist lambasted the front-running Libeskind plan. "It is the Pit and Pendulum of design horrors, dominated by a morbid trench and a scepter-edged spire suggestive of a medieval instrument of torture," he said. "With giant blocks of space up for grabs at bargain rents, plenty of firms are looking - but they are appalled by Libeskind's knife-edged facades and public spaces even more hostile than the World Trade Center's."

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Columnists: "It's the Pits," by Steve Cuozzo

On February 25, NY Newsday reported that that the WTC plan finalists have been making snide remarks about one another's plan. THINK referred to Libeskind as the "architect of death," after Libeskind referred to THINK's plan as "skeletons in the sky."

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Drawn to Criticism: WTC finalists rivals by design," by Katia Hetter

On February 25, NY Newsday reported that Governor Pataki selected Kevin Rampe, Executive Vice President, LMDC to succeed Lou Tomson as President.

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Insider Expected to Head LMDC: Veep picked to step into agency presidency," by Katia Hetter

On February 25, the NY Post reported that repair work will soon begin on the Deutsche Bank building damaged during the 9/11 attacks. The falling Twin Towers tore a gash in the building that exposed it to the elements, resulting in mold infestation. Deutsche Bank and its insurers are still unable to agree whether to tear down the building or gut it and rebuild the interior.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "Bldg. Repair to Start Near WTC," by William Neuman



February 24, 2003

On February 24, NY1 reported the the LMDC will select its single master WTC plan on Thursday, February 27. News reports have speculated that Libeskind's plan is most likely to be chosen.

NY1: "Officials To Announce Winning Design For WTC Site"



February 22, 2003

On February 22, the NY Post ran several Letters to the Editor lambasting the front-running Libeskind plan and calling for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Letters: "Trade Center Finalists: Can't America Do Any Better?"



February 21, 2003

On February 21, the NY Post ran a front page article, titled "SHAM Plan for New WTC," detailing how planning officials favor Libeskind's plan, and how their modifications may make his plan radically different from the way he envisioned it.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "SHAM Plan for New WTC," by William Neuman

On February 21, the NY Post ran a column by Steve Cuozzo, describing the lack of vision by planning officials who are intent on building distractor projects, rather than restoring lost office space.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "'Vision' Problems of Spaced Out Planners," by Steve Cuozzo

On February 21, the NY Daily News reported that Libeskind referred to THINK's latticework towers as "skeletons that don't restore the skyline." Libeskind later apologized after learning that his statement angered LMDC officials.

NY Daily News: "WTC Front-Runner disses Rival," by Maggie Haberman



February 20, 2003

In the March 2003 issue of Popular Science, writer Ron Gluckman wrote about the Asian Skyscraper arms race in great detail. His article, "How High will they Build" profiled Tapei 101, Shanghai's World Financial Center, and other buildings vying to be the world's tallest.

Popular Science: "How High will they Build?," by Ron Gluckman

On February 20, 1010WINS and the NY Times both reported that Libeskind's open bathtub pit plan has garnered support from the Port Authority, Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki.

1010 WINS: "WTC Plan Gains Ground"

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Support Builds for One Plan for Trade Center Site," by Edward Wyatt



February 17, 2003

On February 17, the NY Post ran several letters to the editor lambasting the two LMDC finalist plans and calling for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt.

ARCHIVED: New York Post Opinion Letters: "Two for the Road: WTC Finalists don't Fit in NYC"



February 16, 2003

On February 16, the NY Times reported in greater detail on the City's proposal to buy out Silverstein's interest in the WTC site and divert insurance proceeds to projects outside the scope of rebuilding. Deputy Mayor Doctoroff had met with representatives from Swiss Re, one of Silverstein's insurers, who are interested in the proposal. Swiss Re, sees Silverstein as trying to make a "windfall" through an "insurance hoax."

ARCHIVED: New York Times: "Trade Center Developer Objects to City's Insurance Talks," by Charles V. Bagli



February 14, 2003

On February 14, the Wall Street Journal reported that urban planners around the world are racing to build the world's tallest building. Apart from the WTC site plans on the board, the skyscraper arms race is heating up in Shanghai and Taiwan, with Seoul, and Tokyo prepared to enter. Taipei 101 is under construction at the rate of a floor per week. The finished building in Taiwan will stand at 1,667 feet and consist of 101 occupied floors. Shanghai's World Financial Center will stand at 1,614 feet and 101 floors. Seoul is planning a 110-story, 1,772-foot tall international business center.

Wall Street Journal: "Cities Resume Race to Claim 'World's Tallest' Skyscraper," by Ben Dolven, Jason Dean, and Ryan Chittum

On February 14, the NY Post reported that Silverstein said New York City's proposal to take over his insurance proceeds is unworkable. The City proposed to buy out his lease and use insurance proceeds for downtown transportation and other projects.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "Silverstein Shoots Down Mike's WTC In$ure Plan," by William Neuman and Marianne Garvey

On February 14, the NY Times reported that current WTC site planning would keep large portion of retail space enclosed underground. Predictions are that the future site would have as much underground retail as the former.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Trade Center would Keep Retail Space Underground," by Edward Wyatt

On February 14, 1010 WINS reported that the World Trade Center Building Codes Task Force has arrived at a series of recommendations for improved safety in high-rise buildings. Among them: improved sprinkler systems, expanded evacuation plans, and fireproofing inspections. For future construction, the task force recommended better protection for elevator lobbies and vestibules, and outlawing web trusses which were used for the floors of the Twin Towers.

1010 WINS: "Recommendations for Safer Buildings Issued"



February 13, 2003

On February 13, Newsweek ran a column calling for rebuilding on the WTC site, by Kai Thompson, whose husband, a Cantor Fitzgerald employee died in the 9/11 attacks. Though she did not mention the Twin Towers by name, she said, " For me, the primary function of the new site must be the primary function of the old. The World Trade Center was a thriving business center; most of the men and women who were murdered on that Tuesday morning were simply going to work. Nothing would honor them more than a new generation of men and women going to work in an environment bustling with commerce." She also said, "My fellow family members who want a place to commune with their murdered loved ones should have that, of course, as should the thousands of visitors who come to pay tribute, but this must not come at the price of perpetuating a cult of death."

ARCHIVED: Newsweek (reprinted on MSNBC News): "My Turn: The Best Design is One we Haven't Seen," by Kai Thompson

On February 11, the NY Post reported that the bathtub walls inside the WTC site need to be permanently shored up with 3-foot thick steel-reinfoced concrete. The steel tie inserts which stabilized the walls for the recovery effort are only good for five years.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "Surviving Wall in Pit of WTC Site Needs Work," by William Neuman

Meanwhile, top Port Authority officials have said they'll need to use the bathtub pit, primarily for transit infrastructure, foundations, and possibly a bus garage.

NY Daily News: "PA: No Way Around it: We'll Have to Use the Pit," by Maggie Haberman and Greg Gittrich

Finally, both finalist designers were asked to revise their designs. Libeskind was asked to raise the floor of his bathtub pit memorial from bedrock 70 feet below grade to 25 feet below grade. This would allow the PA to build floors which would brace the bathtub walls and keep water out, serving a dual purpose as garages. THINK designers on the other hand were asked to shorten the height and widen the footprint of their latticework towers, as well as add more elements and elevators within.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Ground Zero Designers are Asked for Revisions," by Edward Wyatt



February 12, 2003

On February 12, the NY Post reported that Larry Silverstein lambasted the LMDC's finalist plans. "'I don't understand those latticework towers, how they would be utilized,' Silverstein said of the THINK architecture team's plan." Of Libeskind's plan, Silverstein said, "said executives at 'a number of major financial institutions' have told [me] they would not want to rent office space looking down on the open pit." Unfortunately, Silverstein's main concern is that the structures in both plans are "too tall."

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "WTC Leaseholder's Low Opinion of 'High' Plans," by William Neuman



February 11, 2003

On February 11, the NY Daily News reported that Twin Towers leasehold owner Larry Silverstein said that his insurance settlements are to be used for office buildings and nothing else.

NY Daily News: "Offices at WTC Site is Titan's Tall Order," by Greg Gittrich



February 10, 2003

On February 10, NY Newsday reported that despite the lengthy planning process, construction is moving at a feverish pace in the WTC site. A three-level skeleton for the PATH station is being built along the eastern wall of the bathtub. On the site's north side, workers have dug 40 feet into the ground, placed support caissons, and are pouring concrete for the new 7 WTC.

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "A Building Buzz: Construction Forging Ahead at WTC Location," by Graham Rayman



February 8, 2003

NY1 is running an online poll until March 6 aksing respondents which of the two finalists they like best. The poll has an option for neither and offers the opportunity to give comment. As of this morning out of 25,423 polled, 17,827 or 70% do not like either of the two plans.

ARCHIVED: NY1: "Which of the Two WTC Plans Do You Like?"

On February 8, the NY Post ran several letters to the editor lambasting the two finalist plans and calling for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Letters: "Ground Zero Finalists, Leave a Lot to be Desired"



February 7, 2003

On February 7, the NY Post reported that the LMDC reached out to Larry Silverstein to include him in planning for the WTC site.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "Silverstein in with WTC 'In' Crowd," by William Neuman



February 6, 2003

On February 6, Newsday reported on Internet campaigns against the two LMDC finalist designs. TTT and spokesperson, Jon Hakala were mentioned prominently during the article. "Team Twin Towers spokesman Jonathan Hakala, who wants the trade center office towers rebuilt, calls the Libeskind design "an architectural atrocity." The plan's preservation of the bathtub is "a neighborhood-destroying abomination, an insult to the thousands of good people who live in Battery Park City and all who work near Ground Zero," Hakala said."

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Internet Debate on WTC Picks," by Katia Hetter

On February 6, the National Review ran another column by Deroy Murdock profiling, "Stand Tall Again" profiling and supporting a Northwestern University student Justin Berzon's proposal to rebuild the Twin Towers. The Berzon proposal calls for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt in the northeast corner of the WTC site and for Greenwich St. to be restored through the site behind them.

National Review: "Stand Tall Again," by Deroy Murdock

Standing Tall: a Proposal by Justin Berzon

On February 6, the NY Times reported on where the two finalist plans may progress from here.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Map Becomes Clearer in Trade Center Choices," by David W. Dunlap

On February 6, NY Observer columnist, Tom McGeveran wrote about the political dynamics surrounding the WTC rebuilding process.

ARCHIVED: NY Observer: "Beauty Contest: Two Firms Vie at WTC Site," by Tom McGeveran



February 5, 2003

On February 5, both the NY Times and 1010 WINS reported that Swiss Re portrayed Twin Towers leasehold owner Larry Silverstein as trying to profit unfairly from the 9/11 attacks. Silverstein alleges that the attacks were two separate events, while his insurers say it was one. In the 1010 WINS report: "Swiss Re said Silverstein created plans 'to spin the facts for the sole purpose of maximizing his personal financial gain' even as his representatives acknowledged that the attack was a single event."

1010 WINS: "Insurer: Silverstein Tried to Profit Unfairly from Attacks"

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Trade Center Developer is Portrayed in Court as Calculating," by Charles V. Bagli

On February 5, NY Post Columnist Steve Cuozzo wrote that any plan of the LMDC is in danger of not being built due to political undercurrents, particularly by Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "Political Cracks Showing in Rebuild Plan," by Steve Cuozzo



February 4, 2003

On February 4, the LMDC announced two finalists amongst the nine plans released on December 20: THINK's World Cultural Center, featuring twin lattiswork towers, and Libeskind's plan which leaves the entire WTC site bathtub open.

1010 WINS: "Two Finalists Chosen For Trade Center Site,"

Ny Daily News: "It's down to two new WTC plans," by Maggie Haberman and Greg Gittrich



February 3, 2003

On February 3, the NY Post ran a column by former President Bill Clinton calling for the LMDC process to be replaced by a "rebuilding czar." He said, "We cannot abide a situation where large numbers of people conclude that the game was rigged, or that powerful interests were paying mere lip service to the voice of average citizens, or grieving family members."

ARCHIVED: NY Post Op-Ed Opinion Columnists: "A Rebuilding Czar?," by Bill Clinton



February 1, 2003

On February 1, at around 9:00 AM, Space Shuttle Columbia broke up while re-entering earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts aboard. We mourn this loss of life. The implications for the space program are unclear right now. We are confident that NASA will REBUILD as it has twice before, and we will track their progress on our Rebuilding History page.

On February 1, New York Newsday reported that Twin Towers leasehold owner, Larry Silverstein sent a nine-page letter to the Port Authority saying that none of the nine plans meet the requirement to restore lost office space. Unfortunately, Mr. Silverstein is also against any building taller than 70 stories, which he decries as "unsafe." "Itís not clear what impact the Silverstein letter will have on the process, but officials say it could heighten calls for the Port Authority to buy out Silversteinís lease.† Dismissing Silversteinís contention that the teamsí plans are not feasible, LMDC spokesman Matt Higgins reminded Silverstein of the many stakeholders at the site."

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Silverstein: Scrap The WTC plans," by Katia Hetter

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Silverstein's Rejection Letter"

The Silverstein Letter is in .pdf format. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, click the Adobe Acrobat graphic to obtain it.



Meanwhile, on February 1, the NY Post ran several letters to the editor that said Libeskind's plan is "the pits." The Libeskind plan calls for leaving the bathtub area open as a memorial.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Letters: "Libeskind's WTC Plan: Truly a 'Pitiful' Proposal"