Archived News -- January 2003

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January 31, 2003

On January 31, NY Newsday reported that a proposal to build the world's tallest building could be included to appease the public's wishes. The Foster plan may join the THINK World Cultural Center and Libeskind plans as finalists.

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Designers Hoping to Fill a Tall Order; Skyscraper proposal among public's favorites," by Katia Hetter.



January 30, 2003

On January 30, the NY Post and the Daily News reported that the LMDC is gravitating most toward the Libeskind plan, and THINK's World Cultural Center as a master plan release draws nearer.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "The WTC 'Finalists'," by William Neuman.

NY Daily News: "Two Plans Rise to the Top," by Maggie Haberman.

On January 30, 1010 WINS reported that a Federal judge rejected one of Larry Silverstein's insurer's attempt to classify the 9/11 attacks as acts of "vandalism and malicious mischief." This move helps Silverstein's claim that the 9/11 attacks were two separate incidents entitling him to a $7.5 billion recovery. His insurers maintain that the 9/11 attacks were a singular incident entitling him to a $3.5 billion recovery.

1010 WINS: "Judge Rejects Insurer's 9/11 'Vandalism' Claim"



January 29, 2003

On January 29, the NY Daily News reported that the LMDC will release one or two master plans by early next week, contrary to rumors that they were to be released today. The plans the LMDC are most seriously considering are Foster's, Libeskind's, and THINK's World Cultural Center.

NY Daily News: "Judgment day nears for WTC visions," by Greg Gittrich.



January 28, 2003

On January 28, the NY Post ran a column by Steve Cuozzo lambasting the Libeskind plan and calling for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Columnists: "A New Horror," by Steve Cuozzo.



January 27, 2003

On January 27, National Review ran a longer version of Deroy Murdock's article calling for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt, and mentioning TTT by name. The article is being picked up in papers nationwide. TTT Member Dave Picton saw it in the New Haven Register, under the headline "Twin Towers Ought to be Resurrected."

National Review: "When Landmarks Fall [Long version]," by Deroy Murdock.



January 25, 2003

On January 25, the NY Post ran several letters to the editor voicing support for Deroy Murdock's position that the Twin Towers must be rebuilt.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Letters: "When Landmarks Fall, You Put them Back Up".

On January 25, the NY Post reported that an eight-member steering committee will be responsible for selecting an architect and a site plan for the WTC site.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "Final Arbiter," by William Neuman.



January 23, 2003

On January 23, the NY Post reported that Skidmore Owings & Merrill, the firm that designed the Sears Tower, has withdrawn its plan for the WTC site, leaving 8 plans remaining in this cycle. SOM withdrew to continue working with Larry Silverstein on his design for the site. The SOM plan as submitted to the LMDC called for a dense cluster of nine buildings 1,100 feet each to populate the WTC site.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "WTC Design Candidate Bowing Out," by William Neuman.



January 22, 2003

On January 22, Scripps Howard Columnist, Deroy Murdock released, "When Landmarks Fall," calling for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt. TTT was mentioned in this column which ran nationwide, including the NY Post.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Columns: "When Landmarks Fall," by Deroy Murdock.

On January 22, the Home News Tribune of East Brunswick reported on the LMDC NJ hearing of the night before. Though the article mainly focused on memorialists, TTT's powerful presence is mentioned in this article.

Home News Tribune: "Kin focus on WTC memorial," by Jonathan Tamari



January 20, 2003

On January 20, the NY Daily News ran an article outlining the next steps in the rebuilding process. As it stands today, the LMDC is determined to choose a master plan, based on one or more of the nine plans, regardless of public opinion. The release date, however, has been delayed till mid-February.

NY Daily News: "Downtown Countdown," by Greg Gittrich



January 18, 2003

On January 18, the NY Post ran five letters to the Editor calling for the expeditious rebuilding of the Twin Towers.

ARCHIVED: NY Post: "Lack of Action at Ground Zero is Stalling Gotham's Recovery"

On January 18, the NY Daily News reported that LMDC President, Lou Thompson vowed that a land-use and transportation plan would be released, prior to his exit next month.

NY Daily News: "WTC plan promised," by Maggie Haberman



January 17, 2003

On January 17, 1010 WINS Radio reported that LMDC President, Louis Thompson will resign his position at the end of February

1010 WINS: "WTC Development Overseer to Resign"



January 16, 2003

On January 16, the NY Times ran an article highlighting the confusion surrounding the last two public hearings.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "When a Map Looks More Like a Puzzle," by Joyce Purnick

On January 16, the NY Times reported that Larry Silverstein will be rebuilding 7 WTC without an anchor tenant. NYC's Industrial Development Agency approved up to $400 million in tax-exempt Liberty Bonds to rebuild 7 WTC. The new building will cost $700 million.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Even as Construction Begins, a New Trade Center Tower Faces Obstacles," by Charles Bagli



January 15, 2003

On January 15, Crain's NY Business reported on both LMDC hearings. "But the strongest passions of the night surfaced when participants recommended the rebuilding of the twin towers, as tall or taller than they had been before they were destroyed in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11. Cheers erupted every time the idea was mentioned."

Crain's NY Business: "Public weighs in on new WTC designs," by Lore Croghan


January 14, 2003

Many members of Team Twin Towers attended the January 13th public hearing with successful results...support for rebuilding was quite strong that evening. The best report thus far comes from the Washington Post:

"Jonathan Hakala's eyes flashed. His face bore that Elmer Gantry look, of a devoted believer in a cause. He spoke for an organization called Team Twin Towers. He said he is a former business tenant of the twin towers. Pinned to his lapel was a picture of one of his friends killed in the terror attacks."

"After painting a verbal picture of the city's power brokers cutting backroom deals on Ground Zero's future, Hakala virtually yelled: "DON'T YOU DARE." Taking another slap at officials from the LMDC and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the agencies that control the site, Hakala asked audience members to stand if they believed a better job could be done. And, of course, clusters of people stood as if on cue in what seemed as much programmed political rally as public forum."

"'We will rebuild at least 110 stories of occupied height, and we will go back,' Hakala declared dramatically."

ARCHIVED: Washington Post: "Trade Center Plans Gain Zero Ground," by Lynne Duke

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "New Trade Center Plans Draw Old Complaints"

NY1: "Hundreds Weigh In On WTC Rebuilding Efforts At LMDC Hearing"

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Editorials: "Get to Work"

CNN: "New Yorkers Sound off on WTC Plans"



January 4, 2003

On January 4, the NY Post ran five letters to the editor calling for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Letters: "Why Can't New York Rebuild at Ground Zero?"



January 3, 2003

On January 3, the NY Daily News reported that Twin Towers' net lessee Larry Silverstein said his former tenants would have first preference in office space once the WTC site is rebuilt.

NY Daily News: "WTC Occupants have First Claim on Offices," by H.B. Shin

On January 3, NY Newsday reported that the LMDC public hearings on January 13 and 14 will be simulcast at several locations throughout New York City and Long Island. The public will also have the opportunity to participate, via the LMDC website.

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "WTC Hearings to be Simulcast," by Pete Bowles



January 1, 2003

On January 1, NY Post Columnist, Steve Cuozzo lambasted the Bloomberg administration for its short-sighted view on restoring all office space lost in the 9/11 attacks. "By the 1990s, the World Trade Center was one of the world's most prized commercial properties. Larry Silverstein told The Post he "lusted" for it. So did three publicly traded real-estate companies, which aggressively bid against him for its leasehold just months before 9/11. Those companies, like Silverstein, know how to read rent rolls and balance sheets. So does Bloomberg. He ought to recall why so many smart people lusted for the Twin Towers before he denies the value in bringing back their likes."

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Columnists: "Bloomberg Shrugs," by Steve Cuozzo