Archived News -- September 2002

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September 27,† 2002

On September 27, the NY Times reported that the LMDC has selected six teams of architects that will each produce new designs for the WTC site. Elements from the designs will be winnowed down to a few proposals, scheduled for release at year's end.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Design Teams Are Selected for New Plans for 9/11 Site" by Edward Wyatt

ARCHIVED: LMDC Press Release on Six Design Teams

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Details on the Finalists"

On September 27, the NY Times reported that WTC net lessee Larry Silverstein is asking for a delay in his November 4 insurance claims trial so that he can file an appeal on the September 26 ruling involving three of his insurers. Silverstein argues that the 9/11 attacks were two events entitling him to double payments. In the case he is appealing, the judge granted three insurers summary judgement, ruling that Silverstein is entitled to one payment, because "it is impossible to suffer the same loss twice."

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Trade Center Leaseholder Asks for Delay in Insurance Case," by Charles V. Bagli



September 26,† 2002

On September 26, the NY Times reported that a Federal Judge ruled in favor of three insurance companies that the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers were a single attack. Silverstein already settled with two of his other insurers, also resulting in a single-attack claim. His case with the remaining 15 insurers is set for November 4, 2002.

ARCHIVED: NY Times: "Judge Rules for 3 Insurers on Coverage of Twin Towers" by Charles V. Bagli



September 25,† 2002

On September 25, several members of Team Twin Towers, Inc. delivered the rebuild message during the LMDC public hearing held at the Central Railroad Terminal building in Libery State Park, Jersey City, NJ. Vice President and Co-Founder, Ron Devito spoke about the economic importance of rebuilding the Twin Towers, and not caving into terrorism. He made reference to the loss of over 100,000 jobs, and $95 billion dollars from the city economy; the need to replenish lost office space; restore the tax base; and bring back legitimate tourism. "Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda thugs live and work in caves. We don't and we shouldn't start by building small....building a necropolis is only handing the land over to our enemies on a silver platter," he said.

TTT member, Bill Hough emphasized how there's plenty of room at the WTC for both rebuilt Twin Towers and a memorial and how they need not be mutually exclusive. TTT Member Rachel Snyder spoke about the importance of rebuilding to future generations, and being sure our children see a resilient city. Supporter Tal Barzilai spoke about the importance of showing resilience in the face of terror. He cited several examples from his home country, Israel, which consistently rebuilds after terror attacks.

Though turnout was small compared to Manhattan, Team Twin Towers, Inc. was able to present its introductory document to NJ Governor James McGreevey. TTT speakers interviewed with major media outlets. Any stories relevant to the September 25th hearing will be posted here, as soon as we hear about their publication.



September 23,† 2002

On September 23, the Wall Street Journal ran an article calling for the restoration of all lost office space, by Larry Silverstein, whose firm holds the net lease on what was the Twin Towers. The article spoke of the negative economic impact from not restoring this space.

Wall Street Journal Commentary: "Rebuild at Ground Zero" by Larry Silverstein



September 16,† 2002

On September 16, the NY Post ran this column by Nicole Gelinas which outlined how history seems to be repeating itself. All reasons given to not rebuild the Twin Towers are the same reasons given some 40 years ago.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Columnists "WTC's First Foes" by Nicole Gelinas

On September 16, the NY Post ran this column by Matthew Dockery which outlined how Manhattan is itself a monument. "We must build, build and build again. Let us turn not to Washington for inspiration, but rather to Midtown. Let our obelisks be built of vast trading floors, of office buildings humming with high-powered executives and aspiring entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe. Let our fountains flow with currents of creative energy, rather than the soothing hum of moving water."

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Columnists "Manhattan is the Monument" by Matthew J. Dockery



September 15,† 2002

On September 15, 1010 WINS reported that three subway stations re-opened for the first time since the 9/11 attacks, following near miraculous repairs. The 1/9 Rector St. and South Ferry Stations are now open, though that line's Cortlandt St. Station will not re-open until after the WTC site is rebuilt in some fashion. The 2/3 will also resume express runs down to Chamber's St. The N/R Cortlandt St. station re-opened as well this day.

ARCHIVED: 1010 WINS: "Three Subway Stations Re-Open"



September 12,† 2002

On September 12, Michael Smerconish wrote "REBUILD 'EM!" for the Philadelphia Daily News. "I recognize that there are other reasons not to rebuild what existed pre-9/11: Potential occupancy problems. Security concerns. Insurance woes. America can overcome them all."..."Why should we let the terrorists succeed in their mission to permanently remove the WTC from America's skyline when we have the ability to deny them their goal?" Team Twin Towers was mentioned his column as the resource for pro-rebuilders.

Philadelphia Daily News: "REBUILD 'EM!" by Michael Smerconish

On September 12, Forbes Magazine ran "Business is Looking Up for Skyscrapers," which detailed how super-tall buildings worldwide continue to command premium rents for upper floors. The Empire State Building has signed 38 new leases, renewed 32, and nine tenants expanded their spaces, since 9/11/01. Observation deck attendance is up 7% for July - August 2002, and the Empire State Building had increased their observation deck fee from $9 to $10 per person at the beginning of the year. The article also outlined how the Shanghai World Financial Center which is to unseat the Petronas Towers as the world's tallest building in 2007 will now rise to 1600 feet instead of the originally planned 1500.

Forbes Magazine: "Business is Looking Up for Skyscrapers," by Betsy Schiffman

Fox News ran an article about how future 9/11 anniversaries should be commemorated. Notable was the emphasis on moving forward and the comment by a restauranteur that the best memorial is to rebuild the Twin Towers.

ARCHIVED: Fox News: "On First Anniversary, a Look Forward," by Amy C. Sims



September 11,† 2002

On September 11, 2002 Investor's Business Daily ran an editorial under "Issues and Insights," titled, "What better memorial would there be than to rebuild the Twin Towers?" It appeared in their print edition.

In other news, the Pentagon Renovation project continues to beat its own deadlines by significant margins. Workers were to occupy the outer or "E" Ring by today, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Workers have in fact, occupied this section since August 15. Under the tutelage of Program Manager, Walker Lee Evey and his dedicated staff of workers who refused to even take Christmas as a day off, the Phoenix Project is rapidly approaching its conclusion.

Pentagon Renovation Program Phoenix Project

Today, in the NY Post's Real Estate Section, we came upon this article, which mentions how "Silverstein has been besieged by people from all over the world who want him to rebuild the Towers - one CEO even offered to sign a lease for the top five floors of the next Tower." Unfortunately, Mr. Silverstein's wife is against it, though we hope he will receive many more such offers.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Real Estate: "The Will to Rebuild," by Lois Weiss



September 8,† 2002

On September 8, the NY Post ran 23 letters to the editor with a singular call: Rebuild the Twin Towers.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Letters: "Rebuild the Towers"



September 6,† 2002

"Rebuild the Twin Towers! Now!" That sentiment ruled the LMDC Manhattan public hearing at PACE University, as representatives of Team Twin Towers, members of other rebuilding groups, and private citizens nearly unanimously called for rebuilding the Towers. In every segment of the auditorium many TTT tee-shirts, buttons, and Rebuild logos were highly visible, along with other pro-rebuilding shirts and stickers. Even during the memorial segment, the call to rebuild was issued over and over again. Jon Hakala said, "We weren't fooled by short buildings with large drinking straws on top." Hakala was referring the form of Twin Towers depicted in LMDC's Plan Six or Memorial Promenade. He continued, "If I wear a tall hat, it doesn't make me look like a basketball player." He called for compromise: building the Twin Towers on the site, but off their original footprints. Team Twin Towers supports building either on or off the original footprints.

TTT President and Co-Founder, Randy Warner asked LMDC Board Member and Civic Alliance President, Carl Weisbrod if based on the overwhelming response in favor of rebuilding the Twin Towers, particularly at this hearing, if the LMDC considers it an option. Weisbrod said that it is an option -- a major improvement over the position held months ago when rebuilding the Twin Towers was completely ruled out. Randy also asked why no survivor's voices were being heard as relates to the memorial. Anita Contini, who is the LMDC Vice President and Director, Memorial, Cultural and Civic Programs said, "We will consider all options of inclusion in the memorial."

The September 5 hearing was by any standard an absolutely successful night that the entire pro-rebuilding movement should be proud of.

ARCHIVED: WABC NY: "Shifting Sentiments: Public Tells Experts Tall Buildings Must be Part of the Plan for Rebuilding Ground Zero"



September 5,† 2002

On September 5, the NY Post ran several letters to the editor decrying former Mayor Giuliani's mega-memorial vision. Six of the eight published letters called for rebuilding the Twin Towers. One of them was written by Lauren Chase of Imagine, NY.

ARCHIVED: NY Post Opinion Letters: "Rudy's Wrong: Towers Must Rise Again"

New York Newsday reported that the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center re-opened on September 4 following $50 million in repairs. The Winter Garden is a 45,000-square foot glass-enclosed atrium featuring live palm trees and marble floors. It was nearly destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.

ARCHIVED: NY Newsday: "Winter Garden Re-Opens," by Alan J. Wax