The Rebuild Ground Zero web cam is up today: here (http://www.rebuildgroundzero.org/modules/mod_webcam_pop_up.php?refresh=60&altText=Groud+Zero+Webcam+-+Rebuild+Ground+Zero+.org&camImgY=768&camImgX=960&imageurl=http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg)

Personally, I think the only thing you need to add to deal with jumpers is a diving board.
I couldn't agree with you more! Good way to get rid of the low end of the genetic pool.

its looking quite impressive

Thanx for the web cam, i can see more progress since the last time i checked this thread.

By the way "clear blue sky" would be a much better turn to use instead of "f__king sky"! Your expression adds nothing to the conversation.

How very pretentious of you. Pointing out my word choice adds nothing to the conversation either.

That's too bad. Looking at the water through a glass wall won't be the same. But I guess you have to deal with the idiots you have and not the idiots you'd like to have.
Personally, I think the only thing you need to add to deal with jumpers is a diving board.

I've never heard that before. Probably BS. I've heard there would be a six foot tall glass barrier on the ROOF OF 1WTC, but not around the memorial pools. Zen said that there would be a glass barrier at the edges of the waterfalls, to stop people from going over the edge even if they did fall over the concrete parapet, but personally I think even this idea will be tossed.

Remember, changes to the memorial and museum are STILL taking place every day. The same prints which showed a glass barrier also showed a bronze plaque underwater with the victims' names, but we know from an article a few months ago that this was changed. (Not trying to undermine your prints, Zen! Just sayin', it's likely that changes have been made since, with more changes likely to be made in the future.)

Oh God, please don't call that mess "my prints":nuts:

Depending on what page you were looking at there are 3 different designs for the pool edge ! The entire Museum was undergoing redesign, the structural drawings were revised, the Arch. were not. Worst prints I ever saw for a project of that size.

Design 2. no longer valid.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35124796@N04/3256117631/in/photostream/

Guess I'll just have to see them in person. The way my retirement date has been receding like Ted Danson's hairline, I'll still be around.

I work on ships, and never get tired of being out. I'd live on the water if I could. It's always meant something most special to me.
I'm very much looking forward to these memorials. Those monsters were always my favorite buildings. I think the pool design is the right one.

Hey Zen, do you know how much of the B1 level will "exist" in the footprint of 1WTC? I've just been looking at pictures like this one...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3508705770_6ddf145ca7_o.jpg

...and the one posted by Onn a few posts back and wondering how close they are to working on the lobby level. This pic is a few weeks old, but going by the webcams and Onn's pic it seems they've already completed the B3 level throughout 1WTC and have the formwork up for the B2 level throughout all except a small section on the west side. I know you said there will be no B1 level on the west side (meaning there will just be a very tall ceiling on the west side of B2, the observation deck lobby), but will there be a B1 level on the north side... the side we're looking at in this picture? Or will they just "jump up" to working on the lobby level after they finish B2? Basically, I'm just wondering where B1 will exist and where it won't.

And do you know what the north side of 1WTC on B2 will be used for? Part of the observation deck lobby maybe? Or mechanical, parking... what?

Cool updates ! Construction progresses positively !

^^in the far left hand side pf the picture, is that barrier which has a road above it gonna be demolished? or does the tower end right next to the barrier?

^^in the far left hand side pf the picture, is that barrier which has a road above it gonna be demolished? or does the tower end right next to the barrier?

Yes, there is an overhang that has to be taken down. That is why you see rebar extending uder the edge of the street. On the other side of the foundations they've already stated takeing it down.

You can see what they've done already on the Webcam, look at the upper north-west side of the tower.
http://www.earthcam.net/users2/interface.php?i=0&id=445&projectid=202&clientid=158

That's nice! Thanks for sharing the link!

They are pouring a lot of concrete on the memorial site right now :) check the webcam.

^^
Yes, they have been pouring concrete for a few weeks now at the memorial. I wonder if this is going to take longer than they thought? The memorial is quite large, they are going to need lots of concrete. It's supposed to open in 2011. The construction is going very fast, but there is a lot more work that has to be done.

Meanwhile, it’s a race to the top between 1WTC and 4WTC.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3552287017_0538dd5a17_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gangoueus/3552287017/sizes/l/

Yes, there is an overhang that has to be taken down. That is why you see rebar extending uder the edge of the street. On the other side of the foundations they've already stated takeing it down.

You can see what they've done already on the Webcam, look at the upper north-west side of the tower.
http://www.earthcam.net/users2/interface.php?i=0&id=445&projectid=202&clientid=158

then the road above that will be gone as well.

then the road above that will be gone as well.

No, the road remains. The north end of the tower doesn’t take up the whole road, it's more like on the corner of the road. But they have to take it apart anyway, the edge of the tower dips into the road right now. Tight squeeze.

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/img/site_plan_north.jpg

^^ so it will just be the foundation that sits right underneath the road then...

^^ so it will just be the foundation that sits right underneath the road then...

I believe some of the foundation of the tower is under the road, yes. Basement floors. Right now they're only taking out the sidewalk next to the road and a little bit of the road itself. They’re not taking out the whole road.

It would seem like a good bit of the road has to be removed in order to meet the setback requirements imposed by NYPD. That was one of the big points brought up during their security review. They demanded that a significant setback from the roads be created to greatly reduce the potential of a truck bomb damage in the buildings.

The above illustration also shows a good bit of setback. Of course it's not very recent and sit still shows WTC 5 and the performing arts center which have been dead for a long time.

A tower at the tower 5 site clearly is far from dead and the pac is likely dead, but I know that they were considering using the site for something other than an arts center, like a new park or new development.

The above illustration also shows a good bit of setback. Of course it's not very recent and sit still shows WTC 5 and the performing arts center which have been dead for a long time.

They are not dead, something will get built there eventually. This is New York were talking about here. Those two projects were never finalized in the first place.

The above illustration also shows a good bit of setback. Of course it's not very recent and sit still shows WTC 5 and the performing arts center which have been dead for a long time.

Not dead at all. 5 wtc is probably going to be residential/hotel space, and the performance arts center design was never finalized.

The above illustration also shows a good bit of setback. Of course it's not very recent and sit still shows WTC 5 and the performing arts center which have been dead for a long time.The performing arts center and 5WTC are still on the illustrations because the key players are still committed to the "idea" of a PAC and 5WTC, even though you're right: both projects are pretty much D.O.A. We'll probably continue to see them on illustrations until something official is announced to replace them, such as the hotel/residential tower being considered for the Deutsche Bank site.

Well, seeing as how neither WTC5 nor the PAC can even begin construction for a few more years (when the Deutsche Bank Building and temporary PATH hub are removed), the economy will probably have recovered by then, so it's kind of pointless to talk about the effects of the economic crisis on these buildings. Let's see what the economy is like once the time to start focusing on building them comes around.

So..is this building gonna have a concrete core ..or it will be just the one that they are working right now with a new record speed ? ..If they will work the same speed for a concrete core up to let's say 100 f we'll all gonna have grandsons :ohno:

whats going up faster: this or 4wtc?

^^ 4WTC

Yesterday, 5/22/09, a quick snap using the iPhone:

http://i41.tinypic.com/a10b5y.jpg

So..is this building gonna have a concrete core ..or it will be just the one that they are working right now with a new record speed ? ..If they will work the same speed for a concrete core up to let's say 100 f we'll all gonna have grandsons :ohno:

It will have a concrete core all the way up. The workers have just been focused on finishing off the basement levels instead of working on the core. Once the basement levels are finished (say, around September/October), the core and the rest of the building above ground will rise at about a floor a week.

And yes, 4WTC is definitely going faster. It's basically already caught up to 1WTC, yet it didn't really start construction until the beginning of this year whereas 1WTC started (in full) around April 2007 (ignoring, of course, the foundation work for both).

And yes, 4WTC is definitely going faster. It's basically already caught up to 1WTC, yet it didn't really start construction until the beginning of this year whereas 1WTC started (in full) around April 2007 (ignoring, of course, the foundation work for both).

Tower 4 is almost out of the hole, probably in another month.

Also, new pic from GreenwichBoy at Weird New York:

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7241&d=1243094957

^^ Those yellow stairways look awfully permanent compared to the scaffold stairway on the lower floors. They aren't permanent are they? I don't see how they could be if those steel beams are going to be encased in concrete as the core rises.

^^ Those yellow stairways look awfully permanent compared to the scaffold stairway on the lower floors. They aren't permanent are they? I don't see how they could be if those concrete beams are going to be encased in concrete as the core rises.

Nope, those aren't permanent.

No doubt about it now... Work on 1WTC's lobby level is now well underway. A huge piece of formwork for the lobby level is now up on the east side of the building, in addition to the part that was already up on the southern side.

A small portion of the lobby floor has been there for some time now and it's slowly growing. It sucks that we still have to wait a little longer before all below grade work is completed, but in a few months this tower will be rising at a floor per week or more. I've heard that the core will reach its highest point at the end of 2010.

THIS IS THE TOWER THAT IS BEING BUILT:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/74/Freedom_Tower_New.jpg/311px-Freedom_Tower_New.jpg


THIS IS ONE OF MANY EARLY RENDERINGS, WHICH IS NOT BEING BUILT:

http://img.slate.com/media/1/123125/2079215/2112767/2122005/050705_FreedomTOWER2_ex.jpg

Thank you.

just a quick question, the roof of the tower is 1,368ft ? and the spire goes all the way to 1776ft right

just a quick question, the roof of the tower is 1,368ft ? and the spire goes all the way to 1776ft right

Right.

5 May 2009:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3553205461_9558511c5e_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49686361@N00/3553205461/

just a quick question, the roof of the tower is 1,368ft ? and the spire goes all the way to 1776ft right

http://amyinohio.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/1776_dvd_cover.jpeg


how patriotic :nuts:


all that aside.. I'm really excited to see such progress on this construction.

can someone point me to the thread that was discussing the pull back of the site? has that happened yet?

@Chicagophotoshop
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=869912&page=4

thanks hightech

They are pouring the concrete on the top of the north tower memorial today, six concrete trucks lined up. :cheers:

http://www.earthcam.net/users2/interface.php?i=0&id=445&projectid=202&clientid=158

They are pouring the concrete on the top of the north tower memorial today, six concrete trucks lined up. :cheers:

http://www.earthcam.net/users2/interface.php?i=0&id=445&projectid=202&clientid=158

Yep, they're also pouring the next level on the north side of 1WTC. BTW, what is the pull back of the site? Never heard that before.

wow!

:omg::omg:

Wow... as of 3:30 on the webcam, I count 11 cement trucks lined up at the memorial site.

^^
I know, I checked again. 11 trucks at once is just crazy. I guess they are going to try to finish the section they're pouring right now, today, assuming the weather holds. Looks like they tarpped part of the concrete they poured already. Since it rained here last night, I assume it will be in the New York City area shortly.

Edit: Looks like some kind of glossy sealer they’re putting on.

^^No glossy sealer. Thats just the sun shining on the steel.

^^No glossy sealer. Thats just the sun shining on the steel.

Steel? They covered that section with concrete this morning.

They seem quite busy on that memorial today. It changes every time I look at it.

Steel? They covered that section with concrete this morning.

Yes they did, but not all of the facing of the lower memorial is covered with concrete.

I'm pretty sure the changing in color over the concrete is just due to it becoming lighter as it dries.

Yes they did, but not all of the facing of the lower memorial is covered with concrete.

I know that. I'm talking about the glossy look over the part they poured, that's not normal.

I'm pretty sure the changing in color over the concrete is just due to it becoming lighter as it dries.

There's quite a large contrast between the two, the glossy look is definitely not normal for drying concrete. Sometimes they put a coat of something else over new concrete, in my experience. I don't know what it’s called. This is on concrete that will be exposed to the environment, so I guess it makes sense.

Who knows. I'm sure NYatKnight or Zen could tell us, but neither of them seem to have been here in a while.

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7248&d=1243448335

Looks like some kind of white powder was spread over the new concrete:

http://i44.tinypic.com/33m0itj.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/33k7tdi.jpg

^^
Might have been powder, yes. Some sort of sealer, at least temporarily. We'll see what the concrete looks like tomorrow, maybe that will give us a clue.

May 27th
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3570698015_97b36ac7b5_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/morrongiello/3570698015/

Another nice photo from today, from the same guy:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3571503588_ed2d1a003a_b.jpg

^lol for a second I was going to say that picture was taken at least a year ago, but then I realized it's WTC Tower 4 and not FT. Mindblowing visual progress w/ the memorial and t4. I've never seen a building progress quickly as WTC Tower 4. Less than a year ago, there was nothing but dirt on the t4 site. It will be above the ground before we know it; it's bad the FT's circumstances pervent it from being on the same level as t4 in terms of construction speed. Tower 4 and Tower 1 will be racing into the skyline next year.

^lol for a second I was going to say that picture was taken at least a year ago, but then I realized it's WTC Tower 4 and not FT. Mindblowing visual progress w/ the memorial and t4. I've never seen a building progress quickly as WTC Tower 4. Less than a year ago, there was nothing but dirt on the t4 site. It will be above the ground before we know it; it's bad the FT's circumstances pervent it from being on the same level as t4 in terms of construction speed. Tower 4 and Tower 1 will be racing into the skyline next year.
Tower 4 is going to be impressive, I think it's going to end up being one of my favorite towers on the site. We haven't seen the cladding yet, but the building is going to be huge. In any other city it would be a giant. It's going to be the largest building in New York City, outside of Freedom Tower, when finished.

If Silverstein has to abandon one tower, I think that should be Tower 3. I would make a compromise on the podium, for the time being. The WTC site would still look good without Tower 3. But that means Tower 2 must get built. If Tower 2 and Tower 4 get built, the site at least looks balanced. If only Tower 4 gets built, the site looks very awkward. Same with only Tower 3 and 4. Hopefully the Port Authority comes through with financing for Tower 2.

As long as they don't pull any funding away from the Transportation Hub, that is. I think that's one of the most important pieces on the entire site. It's the part of the WTC that everyone can interact with (aside from the memorial). It's soley for the public.

I hope this isn't the case

Yeah, instead of being respectful to the rest of the WTC and area around it like Maki intended, I think WTC Tower 4 may be the most imposing skyscraper in NY, and maybe the US too, but hopefully the facade will give it character and bring it to life. If Silverstein has to abandon one tower, Silverstein should be pushed off a tower. I'm just going to pretend that the mayor (Mr. billionaire) and friends will fix any problems and construction will start on t2 and t3 later this year or next year. I can't choose between tower 2 and 3; it's like deciding which one of your children you'll let live and which one you'll let die. The PANYNJ and SP and everyone involved need to get their asses in gear and prevent towers 2/3 from going cold. I don't care if they make the hub nothing but a simple box; it's not going to be in the skyline. It's still sort of hard to believe that the hub will cost more than the Freedom Tower. So anyway, the deadline is June 11. By then, we may know what's really going to happen with t2 and t3.

"The Transportation Hub is near-certain to bust its $3.2 billion budget - and there's a chance it will cost more than $4.3 billion to build." This is coming after the hub redesign to save money. Insane. Clearly, only the PANYNJ can be blamed for this. And they suggest more cutbacks such as the stubs, which only makes more delays, increasing the costs. It's a sick and horrible cycle.

Concrete pump up over the Vescey overhang pouring into something. Not sure what though.

The Burj Dubai project is $4.1 billion. How the FUCK do you manage to make a transportation hub cost more than that?

Another nice photo from today, from the same guy:


but has nothing to do with the FT ;). better post it in the 4 WTC thread ^^

The Burj Dubai project is $4.1 billion. How the FUCK do you manage to make a transportation hub cost more than that?

ironically...both too much corruption and too many rules/regulations. :lol:

the high cost of construction doesn't help either. but none of this is new, been going on...since the dawn of time? heh.

Latest pics shows that progress is slow yet very steady.

At least it aint the big hole it used to be :)

The Burj Dubai project is $4.1 billion. How the FUCK do you manage to make a transportation hub cost more than that?

Slave labor vs. labor that pays too much, that's how.

The Burj Dubai project is $4.1 billion. How the FUCK do you manage to make a transportation hub cost more than that?
There are lots of reasons but most of them are more like excuses. The only valid reason is that labor costs are much lower in Dubai than in New York. Other than that Burj is being built and managed by a for profit corporation and they have a clear vision of what they want to do and how they want to do it. The transportation hub has about six different groups trying to manage it and none of them have any idea what they're doing. Also Burj was designed by a firm and is a collaborative effort with no one person taking control of the design. The transportation hub is a "signature" design of a renowned architect and thus the costs are inflated. The fact that the transportation hub will be built with union labor which is quite inefficient is also a contributing factor. There are many more factors involved but these are certainly some of the major ones.

Looks like some kind of white powder was spread over the new concrete:

http://i44.tinypic.com/33m0itj.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/33k7tdi.jpg
That white stuff is a curing/sealing compound, used to keep the concrete from drying out before it sets hard. Its use is 'S.O.P.' for roadbuilders, too, BTW.

Mike

^^
That's what I thought. They were doing roadwork around me last year, and sprayed something similar on the new concrete curbs, shortly after they were poured. I have not witnessed this before than, however. The substance is like a white wash paint with small particles in it.

Thanks.

Spire-High-Fake at its best. Anyway, it looks good :)

They should cover the memorial's concrete in a layer of poison powder to keep dumbasses from writing their name in the concrete... hah.

First new renderings of the memorial since September!!!!!!!

http://www.national911memorial.org/images/content/pagebuilder/193870.jpg

http://www.national911memorial.org/images/content/pagebuilder/193906.jpg

http://newmuseumme.national911memorial.org/images/feature_home2.png

Also, this is a rather cool description of the latest design for the parapets, on national911memorial.org (check out the site for a ton of new information):

"The display of these names is the very heart of the Memorial. The design of the names parapet provides a direct relationship between the visitor, the names, and the water, allowing for a feeling of quiet reverence between the visitor and the Memorial. Names will be stencil-cut into the parapets, allowing visitors to look through the names at the water, and to create paper impressions or rubbings of individual names. At night, light will shine up through the voids created by each letter."

Cool!

WOW, trees planted in perfect straight rows and columns.

It's just a rendering, I doubt they would plant them like that in reality. And even if they did, it's not like it'd be noticeable on the ground.

I like new renderings!

WOW, trees planted in perfect straight rows and columns.

Who knows how many trees will actually be on the site, developers love to pretty up renderings. But since almost all the renderings we've seen of the memorial have had trees in them, I suspect there will be quite a few trees around it.

The new pics look great, the waterfalls look like something out of a science fiction movie. I'm sure the memorial will be impressive. :)

Who knows how many trees will actually be on the site, developers love to pretty up renderings. But since almost all the renderings we've seen of the memorial have had trees in them, I suspect there will be quite a few trees around it.

The new pics look great, the waterfalls look like something out of a science fiction movie. I'm sure the memorial will be impressive. :)

Actually, the trees probably will end up looking like that since they're such an important component of the memorials. The photographer of the WTC rebuilding was cool enough to ask one of the designers of the memorial about the dimensions for me and the designer said the memorial below-grade POOLS would each be 176' by 176' wide, with parapets at plaza level another 8 feet on each side (for a total of 192' by 192'). This is slightly smaller than the original footprints of the Twin Towers (208' by 208'), but he said the plan is to have a wall of trees around the pools exactly outlining the original footprints.

Personally, I like this idea a lot better than having the actual pools be the exact dimensions of the original footprints. It allows visitors to actually walk "inside" the footprints of the original towers, even if only slightly. Also, there will be about 350 trees on the site, which are already growing in New Jersey, and will be lined up in straight lines.

BTW, just noticed something else in the renderings... I like how there will be an opening at about wasit-level in the parapet. Presumably people will be able to bend down and be able to touch the water. Might seem kinda silly to some, but to me it would be like touching holy water before going to church.

Maybe that's the purpose of the opening.

Personally, I like this idea a lot better than having the actual pools be the exact dimensions of the original footprints. It allows visitors to actually walk "inside" the footprints of the original towers, even if only slightly. Also, there will be about 350 trees on the site, which are already growing in New Jersey, and will be lined up in straight lines.

Ah, smart. That will be something interesting to see, a surreal experience. The waterfalls are plenty large already, this memorial is large in general. It’s going to take people a whole day just to go through the new WTC site. I think the trees will add much value to the area, personally. I mean, who wants to walk through a huge barren brick plaza; especially in the summer? The only problem is that the trees are not of much use in the winter. In fact, neither are the waterfalls. Do you know if they plan to heat everything? Heated water, heated sidewalks..?

Ah, smart. That will be something interesting to see, a surreal experience. The waterfalls are plenty large already, this memorial is large in general. It’s going to take people a whole day just to go through the new WTC site. I think the trees will add much value to the area, personally. I mean, who wants to walk through a huge barren brick plaza; especially in the summer? The only problem is that the trees are not of much use in the winter. In fact, neither are the waterfalls. Do you know if they plan to heat everything? Heated water, heated sidewalks..?

Actually, I did read a statement from someone involved with the memorial (don't remember where) that the water would he heated during the winter to prevent it from freezing, but I don't know if they'll end up doing that. Seems kind of expensive for a memorial which has already come under tremendous heat for being too expensive and complicated. It would be cool if they did though. And I've never heard anything about heated sidewalks... what would be the purpose of that? I'm sure the museum will be nice and warm year-round!

ETA: I remember now, it was a Q&A with Thomas O'Conner, the senior engineer of construction for the memorial. Someone asked, "Are there still plans to have the waterfalls in the two pools and if so, will those waterfalls be activated all year long? What will keep them from freezing up?" He responded, "The Memorial's waterfalls will be active throughout the year. The water will be heated to prevent freezing during the winter months."

Actually, I did read a statement from someone involved with the memorial (don't remember where) that the water would he heated during the winter to prevent it from freezing, but I don't know if they'll end up doing that. Seems kind of expensive for a memorial which has already come under tremendous heat for being too expensive and complicated. It would be cool if they did though. And I've never heard anything about heated sidewalks... what would be the purpose of that? I'm sure the museum will be nice and warm year-round!

ETA: I remember now, it was a Q&A with Thomas O'Conner, the senior engineer of construction for the memorial. Someone asked, "Are there still plans to have the waterfalls in the two pools and if so, will those waterfalls be activated all year long? What will keep them from freezing up?" He responded, "The Memorial's waterfalls will be active throughout the year. The water will be heated to prevent freezing during the winter months."

No, I think they should do it. Might be expensive but the memorial should be operational all year round. The waterfall needs to be there all year round, it’s symbolic. In addition, some people might only come to New York during the winter. Look how many people come for New Years every year. I was wondering about this, hopefully they do it. I would love to see the outline of the twin towers in the sky too, during the week of September 11th. The lights should be integrated into the memorial. It’s very beautiful every year they’ve done it.

Yes, I've been thinking the same thing. If you look closely at the lights as they've been set up before, they're not actually as wide as the footprints of the towers. This is a close up of the lights from last Sept 10th, atop WTC7. The lights actually weren't at Ground Zero (sadly) but were on the roof of a parking garage a few blocks south (behind the Deutsche Bank Building) because of the construction going on at the site. Anyway, compare the width of the setup to the height of the light poles. I'd say the setup is maybe 40 feet wide:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3577045956_1b9be5ea38_o.jpg

The hole in the center of the pools is 40 feet by 40 feet. I think it would be awesome if they installed lights around the edge of the smaller square, only to be turned on during the week of the attacks. This is just my hope though... haven't heard any actual plans for such.

The hole in the center of the pools is 40 feet by 40 feet. I think it would be awesome if they installed lights around the edge of the smaller square, only to be turned on during the week of the attacks. This is just my hope though... haven't heard any actual plans for such.

Interesting about the lights on top the parking garage, I did not know that. :)

I would love to see the lights integrated. Heck, they could turn them on every night (yes, okay, maybe a little too much/waste of energy). Now wouldn't that be something. Hologram towers every night in the sky. That might actually look nice in front of the new towers.

..Seems kind of expensive for a memorial which has already come under tremendous heat for being too expensive and complicated. It would be cool if they did though. And I've never heard anything about heated sidewalks... what would be the purpose of that? Actually if they bury a large reservoir for water it would be able to draw heat from the ground and very little extra heat would be required. New York City really doesn't have that much freezing weather as you would think because it's tempered by the ocean currents.

Heated sidewalks would stay free of ice and snow all the time. They're actually used in quite a few places. They don't have to be heated very warm, 40° to 45° is sufficient and actually this may be cheaper than other methods of snow removal.

finally some progress being acheived, love the new renders, i will visit new york in the near future and see the world trade centre memorial site

Interesting about the lights on top the parking garage, I did not know that. :)

I would love to see the lights integrated. Heck, they could turn them on every night (yes, okay, maybe a little too much/waste of energy). Now wouldn't that be something. Hologram towers every night in the sky. That might actually look nice in front of the new towers.
Yeah i know, that sounds like a good a idea, can u imagine both towers built in a hologram? that would be cool, but i think that would be too expensive.

Actually if they bury a large reservoir for water it would be able to draw heat from the ground and very little extra heat would be required. New York City really doesn't have that much freezing weather as you would think because it's tempered by the ocean currents.

Heated sidewalks would stay free of ice and snow all the time. They're actually used in quite a few places. They don't have to be heated very warm, 40° to 45° is sufficient and actually this may be cheaper than other methods of snow removal.

Yes I would agree. The water will already be below grade level, and if circulated thru underground tanks, would not need much heating at all to keep it above freezing. It would have to be a very severe winter indeed for freezing to be a problem.

Dziś mija siódma rocznica tzw. "Pogrzebu ostatniego elementu", kiedy to wywieziono oficjalnie ostatnią kolumnę nośną rdzenia South Tower. Tamtego dnia "pochowano" nie tylko kolumnę rdzenia lecz także kompleks World Trade Center. To dzień zakończenia akcji Cleanup Ground Zero.

5 Sierpnia 1966 - 4 Kwietnia 1973 - 11 Wsześnia 2001 - 28 - 30 Maja 2002


http://photos.nasza-klasa.pl/19118501/46/other/std/2a37df5d89.jpeghttp://photos.nasza-klasa.pl/19118501/47/main/697d66f75e.jpeg



<*> Remember...9/11 ||

reminds me to a part of the Berlin Wall ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3577151905_10ee1f7f8b_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovethislife/3577151905/sizes/l/

prince harry visited ground zero (apparently)

^^
Prince Harry did indeed visit Ground Zero, and laid a wreath.

ETA.. a link to the Mail online story with pictures: Solemn trip for Prince Harry as he meets firefighters at Ground Zero (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1189566/Solemn-trip-Prince-Harry-meets-9-11-survivors-Ground-Zero.html)
.

Yeah, he asked when the site was going to be finished. They told him 2011. But they should have just said sometime this century and to come back when he's King. :lol:

What's with the steel structure on top of the core? It doesn't seams to me as part of the main structure, more like support for the base of the tower crane. Am I correct?

The steel structure is the core, which will add to the reinforcement. Correct me if im wrong.

^^ It's certanly not related to the core.

It's permanent structure and it will be part of the core as the concrete rises in the coming months.

The steel framework will rise all the way to the roof and be encased in concrete. Though according to our more knowledgeable members, its purpose isn't so much for added strength but to provide something for the floor beams to connect to.

they better do some fucking north core pouring tomorrow :gaah:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1080210.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1080211.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1080238.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/pano2.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/pano1.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/pano.jpg

Well...they're making progress. They're almost out of the hole. The north core forms should be just above street level now.

Nice update!

^^Has there been a pour of the north core for them to rise above street level?

I don't think so, there's rebar above street level and the forms are ready. They just have to pour that section of the core. Looks like it will happen soon.

is the floor, like actual floor at street level yet?

I know it's a very small detail.....but I would have like the open memorial footprints to have had shamfered corners like the towers had.....

Yeah, he asked when the site was going to be finished. They told him 2011. But they should have just said sometime this century and to come back when he's King. :lol:
I see your drift but that doesn't make good news for his older brother William!

I see your drift but that doesn't make good news for his older brother William!

The site could use a few extra years, it will only be mostly done when William is King.

Nice photos. Interesting progress.

is the floor, like actual floor at street level yet?

Partially. A part of the lobby on the south side is poured, and formwork has been set up for the lobby level on a part of the east side (though no concrete has been poured here yet). As is clear in jwalas' first pic, the Freedom Tower is now up to B2 or higher IN ALL AREAS, while about 50% of it is up to B1 or higher and about 25% is up to the lobby level. It won't be long (couple months) before the building is at lobby level all the way around.

Awesome pics, jwalas, especially the fifth one! Did you make that as a panorama? However you got it, it looks awesome and crystal clear.

^^ There has been no cement pour for the lobby (first floor) yet. Forms are going in on the south side.

Is it just me or does the B2 floor slab in the second pic above seem much thicker than normal? Is that for protection from possible explosives or whatever placed on a PATH train?

So, concrete is on a following stage, i understand... Construction keeps its good rythm !

^^^hmmm yeah what he said. The north core is growning, shouldn't be much longer to it catches the south core. Good work by the workes lets see if we can keep iy up.

While we're on the subject of the lobby, I found the floor layout. Thought this was pretty interesting. :)
http://z.about.com/d/architecture/1/0/6/h/freedomtowerGroundFloorPlan_06-27-06.jpg

Maybe another month or two for the north core to catch up to the south. In the meantime it'd be nice to see some perimeter steel columns also put in as well.

While we're on the subject of the lobby, I found the floor layout. Thought this was pretty interesting. :)
http://z.about.com/d/architecture/1/0/6/h/freedomtowerGroundFloorPlan_06-27-06.jpg

Does the core have this configuration all the way to the top? I counted over 50 elevators!! Seems to me there's not much room left for offices on each floor. It's mostly core.

It gets smaller as it goes up. It's huge at the bottom as part of the "concrete bunker" design for the lobby.

It gets smaller as it goes up. It's huge at the bottom as part of the "concrete bunker" design for the lobby.

Not that much smaller, the tower slopes some as it goes up. That's to give the building some architectural zing. I think the Freedom tower is still going to have the most bulk of any tower in the world at roof top. Don't quote me on that, but if you look at diagrams. The Freedom tower is not taller, but is bulkier near the top, than other towers of its size. Taipei 101, SWFC, Burji Dubai...

http://www.dogonews.com/files/Image/burj_dubai1.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/gallery/photos/leasing/overhead_model.jpg

Not that much smaller, the tower slopes some as it goes up. That's to give the building some architectural zing. I think the Freedom tower is still going to have the most bulk of any tower in the world at roof top. Don't quote me on that, but if you look at diagrams. The Freedom tower is not taller, but is bulkier near the top, than other towers of its size. Taipei 101, SWFC, Burji Dubai...

I was talking about the core, not the tower as a whole.

is there going to be any sky lobbies like the original twin towers?

^^Unfortunately. no skylobbies are in the new tower. But I do expect a new Windows on the World restaurant to be housed near the top floor.

I was talking about the core, not the tower as a whole.

You didn't say. "It". I guess I was assuming the tower. :lol:

is there going to be any sky lobbies like the original twin towers?

The skylobbies were elevator transfer points, and I think it may have one. If you meant observation deck, yes it'll have an indoor one for sure along with a restaurant on another floor.

^^Unfortunately. no skylobbies are in the new tower. But I do expect a new Windows on the World restaurant to be housed near the top floor.

There will be one skylobby on the 64th Floor and I don't think Windows On The World will be on top of the Tower because why work where people you worked with died it wouldn't be right. There will be a restaurant but it won't be Windows.

^^ There has been no cement pour for the lobby (first floor) yet. Forms are going in on the south side.

Zen,

When do you think the building will start rising like floors going up and everything not just adding framework on top of the South Core but really when will this Tower get going? I read 4th Quarter of 2009 and I'm pretty sure that's when it will happen.

There will be one skylobby on the 64th Floor and I don't think Windows On The World will be on top of the Tower because why work where people you worked with died it wouldn't be right. There will be a restaurant but it won't be Windows.

No, the restaurant Windows Of The World is coming back. It's going to be a little smaller though....not sure what floor.

Wow, never thought, that the Sears Tower is actually still higher than the Freedom-tower will be.

The reason that floor plan shows the core in the lobby so large is because the PATH tunnel, which runs directly through the Freedom Tower, needs large shafts to vent air. That's what those four large shafts on each corner of the core are for. The shafts only go up a few floors (venting out through vents in the base) and won't be there on the office floors. Once you get rid of those, you can see you already have a lot more room for office space. Also, those four stairwells on each corner are actually only two stairwells above the 2nd floor and are located in the core, which gives more room for office space on the actual office floors. Also, according to Zen (who has the prints), the core also tapers inward with the rest of the building as you go up.

And yes there will be one sky lobby. It's already been confirmed (like, years ago) that there will be both a restaurant and an observation deck near the top. The restaurant and obs deck are each spread over two floors, so the floor area is pretty much the same as in the original Twin Towers.

Wow, never thought, that the Sears Tower is actually still higher than the Freedom-tower will be.

To roof Sears is a tiny bit taller, but you have to remember that they're using the same basic template as the twin towers. That did that purposely because it’s symbolic. To the roof, Sears was taller than the original twin towers too. However, to the end of the spire Freedom is still taller, even if you add on Sears’ antennas.

To roof Sears is a tiny bit taller, but you have to remember that they're using the same basic template as the twin towers. That did that purposely because it’s symbolic. To the roof, Sears was taller than the original twin towers too. However, to the end of the spire Freedom is still taller, even if you add on Sears’ antennas.

Of course you have to add the stupid looking spire to the top of FT in order to make it taller! :nuts:

Of course you have to add the stupid looking spire to the top of FT in order to make it taller! :nuts:

Again, this more has to do with the original World Trade Center. The Freedom Tower is the same height as one of the original towers, and then they added another 300 feet on top with a spire. I'm not going to complain, if it was anywhere else I might. I get what they did here.

June 1st
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I know that there were originally plans to have this tower be the tallest in the world upon completion, but that was obviously scrapped with competition from other nations and headaches on the home front.

However, I do think that it would be nice if the tower was quite a bit taller. The could still keep the symbolism, why not have the roof height be 1776 ft and the height to the spire be 2001 ft? Now you have double the symbolism, more floors, and a taller tower.

I know obviously that this isnt going to happen with the design being basically finalized and all, but I think that it it a neat idea. I kind of think its cheating to have the height be measured by the spire height, even though it is common practice.

I know that there were originally plans to have this tower be the tallest in the world upon completion, but that was obviously scrapped with competition from other nations and headaches on the home front.

However, I do think that it would be nice if the tower was quite a bit taller. The could still keep the symbolism, why not have the roof height be 1776 ft and the height to the spire be 2001 ft? Now you have double the symbolism, more floors, and a taller tower.

I know obviously that this isnt going to happen with the design being basically finalized and all, but I think that it it a neat idea. I kind of think its cheating to have the height be measured by the spire height, even though it is common practice.

Ideally, of course. But this is New York. It's expensive to build something like that, especially in today's market. It's already costing billions just to build this tower, probably a faction of the cost of what the Burji Dubai did. And remember, there isn't just the Freedom Tower on the site. The Memorial and Transit Hub are apart of the same funding. The Transit Hub is going to coast more than the Freedom Tower itself, even. The city also wasn't sure if people were going to want space in a very tall tower after 9/11. I mean, the tower only has one tenant right now. This is also why it's being built with the highest security in mind, which is partly why it's taking so long to construct. All the concrete being used is three times as strong as New York City building codes, and the base is being built like a bunker.

Obviously a taller tower would have been great, but you get what you get. Freedom Tower will still be one of the tallest towers in the world upon completion, with or without the spire. For New York it's going to be very tall. And its simple design will set it apart from almost all other modern superalls in the world today.

However, I do think that it would be nice if the tower was quite a bit taller. The could still keep the symbolism, why not have the roof height be 1776 ft and the height to the spire be 2001 ft? Now you have double the symbolism, more floors, and a taller tower.


I think there's a 2000 ft limit in the US... they cant build anything taller than that... That's why the Chicago Spire is exactly 2000 ft high: they're not allowed to make it taller

However, I do think that it would be nice if the tower was quite a bit taller. The could still keep the symbolism, why not have the roof height be 1776 ft and the height to the spire be 2001 ft? Now you have double the symbolism, more floors, and a taller tower.

I agree with you 100%. I said that years ago. Hundreds, if not thousands, have expressed that exact opinion.

As crazy as this sounds I am hoping for a miracle or a surprise: maybe they will build it taller but just keep it from the public until it's done. When the Empire State Building was going up, it's actual completed height was held as a great secret ... and it was taller when done than anyone anticipated.

I agree with Taiki24; with all of the extra reinforcement the height can be added without any foundation modifications. I say go for it.

I think there's a 2000 ft limit in the US... they cant build anything taller than that... That's why the Chicago Spire is exactly 2000 ft high: they're not allowed to make it taller

You can build taller if you get special permission. Towers in the past have gotten permission to do so; but they were never built.

I agree with Taiki24; with all of the extra reinforcement the height can be added without any foundation modifications. I say go for it.

But isn't the tower tall enough already, does it really need to be taller? I don't think so.

^^

At some point the NYC area will need more office space, maybe not in 10 years or even 15, but it seems like a sound investment to me.

And this is a forum devoted to skyscrapers! Of course we want it taller!!:lol:

^^

At some point the NYC area will need more office space, maybe not in 10 years or even 15, but it seems like a sound investment to me.

And this is a forum devoted to skyscrapers! Of course we want it taller!!:lol:

Then they build a new skyscraper 10-15 years from now that's taller. Come on, this tower would be considered a supertall in any city in the world. And there two other superatalls (hopefully) that are going to get built right next to it. I think people need to chill, the new site won't disappoint.

Then they build a new skyscraper 10-15 years from now that's taller. Come on, this tower would be considered a supertall in any city in the world. And there two other superatalls (hopefully) that are going to get built right next to it. I think people need to chill, the new site won't disappoint.

Oh, I don't believe that it will disapoint, not by a long shot. Even though a hight increase would be nice, the tower as is is quite stunning. At first I thought that losing the twisting spire design was a bad idea, but I really do love the simplicity of the current. design.

The transport hub also looks to be an architectural marvel, and I really like the design of 2WTC. 3WTC seems a little bleh, but I do hope that both of them are built to add some density to the site. The news/rumors of possible radical height decreases is worrying, but I think they will be built.

What with Church Street and Beekman Place going up, we should have a nicely revitalized lower Manhattan skyline in a few years. It is still nice to dream though, especially for those of us who want to go into the field of architecture and are already thinking of ways to improve aspects of conventional designs.

You can build taller if you get special permission. Towers in the past have gotten permission to do so; but they were never built.


"The FAA presumption against construction of structures over a certain height is set forth in the FAA rules. A proposed structure or an alteration to an existing structure that exceeds 2,000 feet in height above the ground will be presumed to be a hazard to air navigation and to result in an inefficient utilization of airspace and the applicant has the burden of overcoming that presumption. Each notice submitted under the FAA rules proposing a structure in excess of 2,000 feet above ground must contain a detailed showing, directed to meeting this burden. Only in exceptional cases, where the FAA concludes that a clear and compelling showing has been made that it would not result in an inefficient utilization of the airspace and would not result in a hazard to air navigation, will a determination of no hazard be issued. See 14 CFR § 77.17(c)."

I think there's a 2000 ft limit in the US... they cant build anything taller than that... That's why the Chicago Spire is exactly 2000 ft high: they're not allowed to make it taller
Their is a process in place that allows for exemptions to this rule. I'm sure having it granted for an extra foot on this building would not be a problem!
As crazy as this sounds I am hoping for a miracle or a surprise: maybe they will build it taller but just keep it from the public until it's done. When the Empire State Building was going up, it's actual completed height was held as a great secret ... and it was taller when done than anyone anticipated.
The same thing happened with Burj Dubai, the official height wasn't released during construction. Actually even though the building is topped out the official height has yet to be announced and there is speculation that the spire will still be raised more! Certainly this building deserves to be the tallest in America!

"The FAA presumption against construction of structures over a certain height is set forth in the FAA rules. A proposed structure or an alteration to an existing structure that exceeds 2,000 feet in height above the ground will be presumed to be a hazard to air navigation and to result in an inefficient utilization of airspace and the applicant has the burden of overcoming that presumption. Each notice submitted under the FAA rules proposing a structure in excess of 2,000 feet above ground must contain a detailed showing, directed to meeting this burden. Only in exceptional cases, where the FAA concludes that a clear and compelling showing has been made that it would not result in an inefficient utilization of the airspace and would not result in a hazard to air navigation, will a determination of no hazard be issued. See 14 CFR § 77.17(c)."

Why are you telling me this? I already know. Towers have gotten approval in the past that are taller than 2000 feet. There was one in Chicago. It was never built, but it was approved. In the 1970s or 80s.

The same thing happened with Burj Dubai, the official height wasn't released during construction. Actually even though the building is topped out the official height has yet to be announced and there is speculation that the spire will still be raised more! Certainly this building deserves to be the tallest in America!

Freedom Tower is going to be the tallest in America...

Why are you telling me this? I already know. Towers have gotten approval in the past that are taller than 2000 feet. There was one in Chicago. It was never built, but it was approved. In the 1970s or 80s.


Don't get your panties in a twist. I was just posting the official reference to clarify the issue.

Nobody bitching about the high of this building outside of this thread, the internet and the people who don't want it built in the first place. Don't like the height go and build your own.

Don't get your panties in a twist. I was just posting the official reference to clarify the issue.

Ohh ok. That's fine then. I'm sure there are people who don't know what were talking about.

No, the restaurant Windows Of The World is coming back. It's going to be a little smaller though....not sure what floor.

Well what other floor could it be on the rest are office and mechanical floors. It won't be on top because the Port Authority will put a new restaurant up there. If they do come back it will have to be at the bottom which is unlikely. In respect to those who died in the North Tower I think it's safe to say that they won't bring it back because alot of Windows employees died on 9/11 and to just open up the restaurant up there again wouldn't be wise.

Well what other floor could it be on the rest are office and mechanical floors. It won't be on top because the Port Authority will put a new restaurant up there. If they do come back it will have to be at the bottom which is unlikely. In respect to those who died in the North Tower I think it's safe to say that they won't bring it back because alot of Windows employees died on 9/11 and to just open up the restaurant up there again wouldn't be wise.

Why wouldn't they bring the restaurant back? We have to rebuild what was destroyed. And the Windows of the World has always been the hottest ticket in town. It made more money per year than any other restaurant in the country before 9/11. That says something. I believe they said it was going to be above the last office floor, but I don't know for sure. There are no other commercial restaurants going in the Freedom Tower.

I agree with you 100%. I said that years ago. Hundreds, if not thousands, have expressed that exact opinion.

As crazy as this sounds I am hoping for a miracle or a surprise: maybe they will build it taller but just keep it from the public until it's done. When the Empire State Building was going up, it's actual completed height was held as a great secret ... and it was taller when done than anyone anticipated.

Lol yeah I wish that would happen but with the Port Authority in command that's very unlikely considering they keep scaling down on certain projects and thank goodness it hasn't affected Freedom Tower but it will probably remain at 1,776 feet which is the tallest America has gone. Sears Tower is 1,730 feet when measured to the pinnacle and the original North Tower was about 1,730 feet as well so this will be the tallest.

Why wouldn't they bring the restaurant back? We have to rebuild what was destroyed. And the Windows of the World has always been the hottest ticket in town. It made more money per year than any other restaurant in the country before 9/11. That says something. I believe they said it was going to be above the last office floor, but I don't know for sure. There are no other commercial restaurants going in the Freedom Tower.

Don't get me wrong I hope Windows Of The World does indeed return. I ate there a few times in the 1990's and it was amazing. The Port Authority however, may be assholes (which they are already are) and decide not to bring it back. The Port wants good business even if that means cutting off all ties to 9/11 and the Twin Towers, even the restaurant. They already changed the Freedom Tower's name, put the observation deck indoors, I know they probably won't even bring back the original restaurant.

Don't get me wrong I hope Windows Of The World does indeed return. I ate there a few times in the 1990's and it was amazing. The Port Authority however, may be assholes (which they are already are) and decide not to bring it back. The Port wants good business even if that means cutting off all ties to 9/11 and the Twin Towers, even the restaurant. They already changed the Freedom Tower's name, put the observation deck indoors, I know they probably won't even bring back the original restaurant.

We'll see what happens. They would be wise to put the restaurant back in it's place. There should be enough room to do so. Freedom tower is hardly going to be a tourist haven at it is. The Port has an obligation to give some of the tower back to the people.

We'll see what happens. They would be wise to put the restaurant back in it's place. There should be enough room to do so. Freedom tower is hardly going to be a tourist haven at it is. The Port has an obligation to give some of the tower back to the people.

Yes it would be wise but with Chris Ward as executive director forget it he's a prick. He doesn't care about what the people want. This Tower is all about real estate which it should be but it has to be about the people too and with the original Towers the people had something that belonged to them. They had the observation deck, Windows On The World, and Manhattan's largest indoor mall so we had it all then. What would be great but won't happen is if they put an observation deck and restaurant in each Tower or maybe in Tower 2 or 4. Just think if Tower 2 is built it will block the whole east view from the Freedom Tower indoor deck so it would be nice to add another deck in one of the 3 Towers across the way.

Yes it would be wise but with Chris Ward as executive director forget it he's a prick. He doesn't care about what the people want. This Tower is all about real estate which it should be but it has to be about the people too and with the original Towers the people had something that belonged to them. They had the observation deck, Windows On The World, and Manhattan's largest indoor mall so we had it all then. What would be great but won't happen is if they put an observation deck and restaurant in each Tower or maybe in Tower 2 or 4. Just think if Tower 2 is built it will block the whole east view from the Freedom Tower indoor deck so it would be nice to add another deck in one of the 3 Towers across the way.

That's true, or connected the towers with a skywalk or something. Clearly no one thought about the view from Freedom Tower. Although the original twin towers were set up just right where it wasn't a problem. I don't think they originally laid the site out like they did just for the view from the top.

You can build taller if you get special permission. Towers in the past have gotten permission to do so; but they were never built.
A couple of transmission towers have been built taller than 2000'. I believe the tallest was in North Dakota and it was around 2600' if I'm not mistaken.

^^ its 2,063 ft
here's some others:
KXJB Tower 2060 ft - 627.8 m
KXTV/KOVR Tower 2049 ft - 624.5 m

A couple of transmission towers have been built taller than 2000'. I believe the tallest was in North Dakota and it was around 2600' if I'm not mistaken.

The North Dakota transmission tower was the one that made Congress put the law into place. There was a tower in the 1970s, I believe, that was approved in Chicago to go 2300; but it was never built. I've been trying to find information on it again.

The North Dakota transmission tower was the one that made Congress put the law into place. There was a tower in the 1970s, I believe, that was approved in Chicago to go 2300; but it was never built. I've been trying to find information on it again.

There are many buildings that were never built in Chicago that were taller than 2 000 ft :

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=101030&bt=2&ht=2&sro=0

According to that list, there are 3 of them

I guess you're talking about the Chicago World Trade Centre. According to Emporis, it was designed in the 80s and was 2 500 ft tall

^^
Oh, it was they Skyneedle I was talking about. :lol:

I guest I have so step in and be the mod on this one. Lets stay on topic guys this a thread for 1WTC not some building that was never built in chicago. I'd say next time you get off topic you'll be band but I don't have the power to do that lol.

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That's true, or connected the towers with a skywalk or something. Clearly no one thought about the view from Freedom Tower. Although the original twin towers were set up just right where it wasn't a problem. I don't think they originally laid the site out like they did just for the view from the top.

Yeah that would be great but like I said it won't happen. I know no one really thought about the view from the Freedom Tower but if there was an outdoor deck on the roof then maybe you may be able to see more of the east view but as long as it's at 1,265 feet you can't see much with Tower 2 in the way. Another suggestion I had in mind was that instead of building a spire build something similar to the Empire State Building where it just a Tower going up to 1,776 feet from the the roof (like in the ESB where it goes from floor 86 to 102) but that won't happen either.

Some more perimeter columns have gone up, on the west side.

^^
Looks like they might be getting ready for some concrete too.

^^

Thanks for the update pics.

Is that the first tower crane on site?

^^

Thanks for the update pics.

Is that the first tower crane on site?

There are two cranes already at the Freedom Tower. The south crane is higher than the north one, because the south core of the tower is already above street level, the north is not yet. There is another crane at 4WTC (a second one going up in August), and a number of smaller mobile cranes scattered throughout the site.

There are two cranes already at the Freedom Tower. The north crane is higher than the south one, because the north core of the tower is already above street level, the south is not yet. There is another crane at 4WTC (a second one going up in August), and a number of smaller mobile cranes scattered throughout the site.

You swapped the north and south cranes around, but otherwise 100% correct. Apparently there will be at least one more for the Freedom Tower once it gets farther along.

If I remembered correctly, there will be two more Freedom Tower tower cranes installed around the time when the lobby/temp Fulton street is completed.

^^

Thanks for the update pics.

Is that the first tower crane on site?

It takes both cranes to lift one of those massive perimeter columns. I'm not sure if it's because of crane capacity or the desire to distribute the load over both cores when they lift those monsters.
Zensteeldude probably knows. He knows everything. That can be very annoying to those of us who only think we do.

You swapped the north and south cranes around, but otherwise 100% correct. Apparently there will be at least one more for the Freedom Tower once it gets farther along.

Backwards day. Sorry about that, you are correct. :shifty:

One more perimeter column just went up, on the north side. Though, strangely I seem to remember this one already being put in place some months ago and then taken down shortly after. Maybe it just got in the way. Anyway, hopefully it'll stay there this time. Also, if you look at the webcam at about 17:30, some stuff was offloaded from two semis. Hard to tell what, but they look to me like more columns.

Additionally, new pics at wtc.com.

I hope I can get to see this massive structure already finished soon... :P

hmm great tower...
But personally i dnt like the design that much.. =/

Freedom tower its build because the twin towers was collapse by terrorist...
if Freedom tower design its not great design kind like asia skyscraper example, its simple because this freedom tower design its build very fast for replace old twin towers as soon as possible....
not like tower build for usually propose demand...

This building has a meaning...And that's why it's beautiful no matter how it's designed...

Freedom tower its build because the twin towers was collapse by terrorist...
if Freedom tower design its not great design kind like asia skyscraper example, its simple because this freedom tower design its build very fast for replace old twin towers as soon as possible....
not like tower build for usually propose demand...
? ? You think freedom tower is being built very fast? Almost everyone else on this thread since it's going very very slowly. It's been almost eight years since the attack on the towers and yet FT is just barely reaching street level, I'd hardly call that fast!

Overall progress on the site has been very fast in the last few months, actually.

Overall progress on the site has been very fast in the last few months, actually.

Most skyscrapers u/c around the rest of the world are adding a floor every 1-2 weeks. But we're here on pins and needles at the mere mention of a single concrete pour or a perimeter steel column being installed. That's pretty pathetic IMO. Once this things gets completely built above grade then we can all enjoy the "speedy progress", until then this is just embarrassing.

^^ Well they would go faster if they shut down the PATH Station for a few months, but then were are the 226k people who take the train there going to go...

Anyways, the concrete pumper arm is extending north of 1 WTC, looks like a pour is imminent.

Most skyscrapers u/c around the rest of the world are adding a floor every 1-2 weeks. But we're here on pins and needles at the mere mention of a single concrete pour or a perimeter steel column being installed. That's pretty pathetic IMO. Once this things gets completely built above grade then we can all enjoy the "speedy progress", until then this is just embarrassing.

Well said. I know it's sad for people on the forums to get excited if there is a concrete pour or perimeter column installed just like you said. There is progress don't get me wrong but it's considered bullshit progress and you can't blame it all on the PATH Train being in the way because the North Core is already approaching street level and the rebar is at or above street level. There should be more workers and there probably will be once the thing starts going up. Another reason it could be going slowly is due to the lack of demand for office space. Freedom Tower is already paid for and this Tower should be going faster but it isn't because if it is built too soon it will remain empty but it's going to happen anyway. The PA wants tenants to sign on before the Tower is done this way they move right in once completed. I'm actually tired of the term "street level" because it is constantly repeated where people say oh it's approaching street level but not quite there yet and it gets annoying., At least Tower 4 is moving quite smoothly but still ways to go.

Most skyscrapers u/c around the rest of the world are adding a floor every 1-2 weeks. But we're here on pins and needles at the mere mention of a single concrete pour or a perimeter steel column being installed. That's pretty pathetic IMO. Once this things gets completely built above grade then we can all enjoy the "speedy progress", until then this is just embarrassing.They didn't when the foundation work was still ongoing. Once the FT is completely above ground level, things will move a lot faster, too.

Looks like the northern perimeter steel beams are poking thru Vesey street now. The rest of the street should get dismantled soon.

Ohhh, if only it were next year already and we all could be looking at this tower 300 or 400 feet high. It will happen, we've just gotta be a little more patient...

http://www.wtc.com/uploads/images/712x534/14_40_2009_06_03-(2)-T1.JPG
wtc.com june

^^
See, there we go. Things are coming togther. We got 15% of the building on ground slab level on the far side.

Is the north core progress so slow because they're concentrating on the basement slabs?

Is the north core progress so slow because they're concentrating on the basement slabs?

I don't think it matters, they were supposed to build the Freedom Tower differently than most towers like this; where the steel goes up first and the concrete core gets built later. I don't know exactly how it works, they used method on the 7WTC. It's supposedly quite a bit faster. I don't know if that's still in the plans though, it was a while ago. It doesn't look like they're in any hurry to pour more of the north core, does it...

Awsome design!

? ? You think freedom tower is being built very fast? Almost everyone else on this thread since it's going very very slowly. It's been almost eight years since the attack on the towers and yet FT is just barely reaching street level, I'd hardly call that fast!

in this case, construction like freedom tower its quite fast....
its not easy to build new tower at that area *which twin towers has collapse at there...should i call disaster area...??
they should re-make tunnel for subway,electric or etc...
about the design = i think its just only the taste mater...*its suitable design with surround neighbors towers at New york...

I don't think it matters, they were supposed to build the Freedom Tower differently than most towers like this; where the steel goes up first and the concrete core gets built later. I don't know exactly how it works, they used method on the 7WTC. It's supposedly quite a bit faster. I don't know if that's still in the plans though, it was a while ago. It doesn't look like they're in any hurry to pour more of the north core, does it...

Actually the norm in NYC is that the steel goes up faster than the core. Here 1 WTC will use a conventional construction with the core going ahead of the floor slabs.

http://www.wtc.com/uploads/images/712x534/14_40_2009_06_03-(2)-T1.JPG
wtc.com june

Great update! What are they building at left of this picture?

^^
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=633246

Once the newly poured B2 slab is cured they can hoist things over the PATH line without having to shut down the train system which has been a huge hindrance to this point. Another thing that will speed work up is getting the temporary Fulton ST built. Logistical access to the site is an absolute nightmare right now with all of the other construction projects surrounding it. They can sometimes close down certain streets but only on weekends.

A new video on wtc.com shows a recent concrete pour on Tower 4. According to one of the guys in the video, they plan to start pouring concrete for the ground floor level in a couple weeks.

Plus in the webcams we can already see formworks going up for the lobby level. Nice.

A new video on wtc.com shows a recent concrete pour on Tower 4. According to one of the guys in the video, they plan to start pouring concrete for the ground floor level in a couple weeks.

Plus in the webcams we can already see formworks going up for the lobby level. Nice.
so post it in tower 4 thread then

so post it in tower 4 thread then

Didn't know we had one. Link?

Didn't know we had one. Link?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=746080&page=18

:)

ugh, I was hoping they would work on the north core today :?

:okay:

Silver hints W.T.C. consensus is to build more towers

By Julie Shapiro
June 5 - 11, 2009

The negotiations about the future of the World Trade Center site have been going on behind closed doors, but on Friday, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver gave the first hint of what is happening.

The consensus among the stakeholders appears to be shifting toward developer Silverstein Properties’ goal of building as many office towers as possible with the Port Authority’s help, Silver said.

“That’s the purpose,” Silver said in an interview with Downtown Express. “Build more, and build more now. That is our purpose.”

Silverstein cannot build his Church St. office towers on his own because he cannot get construction financing. The Port has agreed to help with Tower 4 but refused to backstop the financing for Tower 2, saying Silverstein can build it when the economy improves and the Port should not be expected to take the risk of financing offices on spec for a private developer. In place of Tower 2 and the neighboring Tower 3, the Port wants to build temporary six-story retail podiums.

But Silver said Friday that now is the time to build the office towers, allying himself very closely with Silverstein’s position. Silver added that Gov. Jon Corzine and Gov. David Paterson are both being “cooperative” in the goal of building more towers now, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg has previously expressed support for building despite the economic downturn.

That is not to say that the stakeholders have sided entirely with Silverstein against the Port Authority. Silver and Bloomberg have called on Silverstein to devote more money to the project, and on Friday Silver said an agreement would require all the parties to make further investments.

“They’re trying to work through a conclusion that has everybody put in a little more: the Port Authority, the city, the state, and most important, Larry Silverstein,” Silver said. “And I hope to get there.”

The closed-door meetings began after an impasse between Silverstein and the Port Authority over the tower financing and delivery of key site infrastructure threatened to halt progress at the site. Alarmed by that prospect, Silver called all the site stakeholders together, and they held their first meeting May 21 at Gracie Mansion, at Bloomberg’s invitation. The meeting included Bloomberg, Silver, both governors, Larry Silverstein and Port Authority executive director Chris Ward.

Since then, Silver said there have been three major meetings with top stakeholders including Larry Silverstein. Those three meetings were held quietly and out of the public eye, often at odd times of the day, Silver said. In addition, Deputy Mayor Bob Lieber has been chairing daily meetings of lower-level staff representing all the parties, a source familiar with the discussions said.

The next publicly announced meeting of the principals will be Thurs., June 11, and the stakeholders have said they hope to have at least the broad outlines of an agreement by then.

“We’re not there yet,” Silver said Friday. “It’s a matter of money, it’s a matter of commitment, it’s a matter of saving money, it’s a matter of refocusing so we can get a result.”

Bloomberg’s office and Silverstein Properties declined to comment. Steve Coleman, Port spokesperson, said only, “Our position on the Port Authority putting in any more money or risk has not changed.”

All the parties involved have been reluctant to talk after Bloomberg made it clear he wanted the negotiations to be entirely private.

“We’re all sworn to secrecy,” Silver told Downtown Express, explaining why he could not go into more detail.

But Silver did repeat his position that now is the time to build Towers 2 and 4, even though the economy is down.

“We’ll be in a different business cycle by 2014 or 2015,” Silver said. “And there are some people who think, there is no other development going on in the city, no other office space. If you look at all the studies, everybody will tell you there’s going to be a need for expanded commercial space in New York City.”

Silver listed the other office projects that are falling through, from Hudson Yards to Atlantic Yards, which will make the World Trade Center towers all the more important.

“New York, Downtown Manhattan, ground zero is going to be the place to go,” Silver said.

Silver said the rebuilt World Trade Center could follow the example of the original Twin Towers, which initially filled with government offices because there was little demand for commercial space.

Silver’s first district office was in room 5489 of 2 W.T.C., he recalled, and later he was moved down to the 26th floor as the real estate grew more valuable. Finally, he was moved out of the building altogether.

“Hopefully there will be a market for it,” Silver said of the new office towers at the site, “and we can prepare for it.”

http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_319/silverhints.html

at least some good news :)

Wow, that article is great news!!! But does it actually mean they are going to build T2 T3? Or is this just more fluff from this project.

Well, Silver is essentially the most powerful figure in NYS politics as the speaker of the assembly in a state with a weak governor and a weak majority leader in the state senate. On the other hand, the WTC site is in his district so of course he's going to want to build everything right now. Oversight of the Port Authority is held by the governors of NY and NJ, so it's not as if he can just say "Jump!" to the Port Authority and get what he wants.

The Port Authority simply doesn't have lots of free money to tie up backing Silverstein's loans. If a deal is hammered out, it's going to involve a lot more of city and state tax dollars to cover Silverstein's private investment.

It would be nice to see it got along with a bit.

I have a plan>.<
Why don't they make the roof 1776ft.
Make the spire 2009 ft.
On New Years day, they make the spire 1ft taller.
So this building gets taller by 1ft(lmao) every year ^_^

Well, Silver is essentially the most powerful figure in NYS politics as the speaker of the assembly in a state with a weak governor and a weak majority leader in the state senate. On the other hand, the WTC site is in his district so of course he's going to want to build everything right now. Oversight of the Port Authority is held by the governors of NY and NJ, so it's not as if he can just say "Jump!" to the Port Authority and get what he wants.

The Port Authority simply doesn't have lots of free money to tie up backing Silverstein's loans. If a deal is hammered out, it's going to involve a lot more of city and state tax dollars to cover Silverstein's private investment.

I think they need to at least build Tower 2. If they don't the entire site looks awkward, having Freedom in one corner and Tower 4 in the other. They should have built Tower 2 second to begin with. Why didn’t the Port Authority buy space in Tower 2?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3601924392_90fa0ecefa_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sace-ism/3601924392/sizes/l/

More steel was added to the top of the core yesterday.

Looks great! Can't wait for it to be completed!

Looks great! Can't wait for it to be completed!

me too, i cant wait.

I have a plan>.<
Why don't they make the roof 1776ft.
Make the spire 2009 ft.
On New Years day, they make the spire 1ft taller.
So this building gets taller by 1ft(lmao) every year ^_^

I got a plan too, it's called quit talking. They're not change the height why should they. And 2009 means nothing it's a useless number here. What you just said makes my brain hurt the more I read it.

at least some good news :)

I absolutely do not want to offend you webeagle but this is nothing. GOOD NEWS would be to see pictures with workers on the site of tower two, machinery and an official article which confirms the construction of tower two. Since than, EVERYTHING is just talking instead acting! Like it was for several years ago.

I absolutely do not want to offend you webeagle but this is nothing. GOOD NEWS would be to see pictures with workers on the site of tower two, machinery and an official article which confirms the construction of tower two. Since than, EVERYTHING is just talking instead acting! Like it was for several years ago.

need English classes? I said "some" :|

that core is already looking impressive. :)

good progress....

Yesterday.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9774/img1621a.jpg

^^It would be great if we had a webcam from this angle...we could see both towers rising...

Lots of activity on the west side today, rebar is being put in place on two different floors.

Rising.... slowly but surely

^^at least not h/o :)

June 8th
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3608498690_f2d6a0405c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/morrongiello/3608498690/sizes/l/

^^ Great update! I am wondering why not they build entire old WTC tower site (supposed to have huge waterfalls on it) instead almost 3/4 of it?

^^ Great update! I am wondering why not they build entire old WTC tower site (supposed to have huge waterfalls on it) instead almost 3/4 of it?

There was deal made by either former New York Governor Pataki or Spitzer not to build new towers on the original Twin Tower footprints. This request came from the families of the 9/11 victims. So all the towers had to be pushed back to the corners of the site.

There was deal made by either former New York Governor Pataki or Spitzer not to build new towers on the original Twin Tower footprints. This was a request from the 9/11 victims’ families. So all the towers had to be pushed back to the corners of the site.

I apologize for my bad English. I meant, look at that picture, that waterfall site where old WTC site was at, construction didn't built entire only 3/4 of it. I hope I am clear this time.

I apologize for my bad English. I meant, look at that picture, that waterfall site where old WTC site was at, construction didn't built entire only 3/4 of it. I hope I am clear this time.

Oh, that. :lol:

They are not finished with the steel yet. That has been making me wonder also. I think they're pouring the concrete on the floors below the waterfall first, while there is still an opening. It's probably easier.

nice update picture...

Oh, that. :lol:

They are not finished with the steel yet. That has been making me wonder also. I think they're pouring the concrete on the floors below the waterfall first, while there is still an opening. It's probably easier.

Why not they pour it first before they build up? I think it should be much easier.

Why not they pour it first before they build up? I think it should be much easier.I'm not sure why they poured the concrete with one of the corners still uncompleted, as opposed to waiting until the entire footprint was complete.

However, I think the reason that corner is still left undone is because they are building an unground museum to document the World Trade Center attacks and having that corner open probably makes it easier to work on the museum.

Why not they pour it first before they build up? I think it should be much easier.

You would think, I don't know. Good question. They can run tubes down into the memorial for the concrete also. But maybe it's just easier there to leave that side of the waterfall open right now. They will finish the steel soon. Steel construction on the memorial is supposed to be done by the end of the year (although, all the other projects on the site are a few months behind the original schedule, so I expect the memorial is a little behind too).

Im guessing they have to build what they can when they can to save time and money.

Great to seeing it rising, just needs to be built in order defy those nhilistic terrorist acts which create nothing but death and destruction. Go New York!!!!!!

Why not they pour it first before they build up? I think it should be much easier.

maybe they will pour 2 floors at the same time? This would save time.

Logistics is a major problem with the number of projects and lack of staging areas at the site. Bottom line is, they determined it would be cheaper and faster to leave that corner undone while they worked on the rest of the memorial. It gives them more staging area and makes it much easier working on main part and moving things in and out.

Webcam has a problem. Stopped at 3:00 A.M. EST this morining.

Anyways, I think I can make out steel beams being placed on the memorial between the two WTC footpints. Probably a continuation of the steel that was placed in that same area a couple of days ago. No visible progress on 1WTC, though I think they'll be 100% at street level at some point in July, which includes the deconstruction of Vessey Street

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/nyregion/09wtc.html
Little Progress Is Seen in Talks on Ground Zero
By CHARLES V. BAGLI
Published: June 8, 2009

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the developer Larry Silverstein remain deadlocked over construction of two giant office towers at ground zero, despite more than two weeks of high-level talks with state and city officials aimed at resolving the impasse.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who convened the sessions on May 21, had set a June 11 deadline for the parties to reach an agreement. But the talks have not brought Mr. Silverstein and the Port Authority any closer, according to officials on both sides.

The latest indication of the stalemate came on Monday, as a proposal from the city and Mr. Silverstein got a lukewarm reception, according to officials who attended the discussion.

The battle is not over whether the office towers should be built at the World Trade Center site, but when and with whose money.

Mr. Silverstein, who leases the trade center land from the Port Authority, is to build three office towers on the 16-acre site. Unable to obtain the financing or tenants as he once anticipated, Mr. Silverstein has asked the authority to guarantee as much as $3.2 billion in financing for the construction of two of the three towers.

But the authority, which is already spending billions on its own 2.6-million-square-foot office tower at the site, a transit hub, and on portions of the 9/11 memorial, is reluctant to put more money into speculative office space, especially when its revenues are declining sharply. It did, however, offer to guarantee up to $1.2 billion in financing for one of Mr. Silverstein’s towers.

“We remain far apart on a second tower because of how much more public money is required to fund this speculative office building,” said Stephen Sigmund, a Port Authority spokesman. “Our position continues to be that the public’s resources are better spent on public projects first, not more private office space.”

All parties in the talks have been loath to discuss the meetings since agreeing to negotiate in private at a May 21 meeting at Gracie Mansion. Some officials privately acknowledge the lack of progress, even as Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker, disputed the notion. “He believes that all the parties continue to act in good faith and are committed to coming up with a solution,” said Dan Weiller, a spokesman for Mr. Silver.

City officials hope for a breakthrough in the hours leading up to Thursday’s deadline.

Last month, the Port Authority made a proposal in which it agreed to guarantee the financing for Mr. Silverstein’s first tower. As for the second, $2.7 billion tower, it agreed to assist with the financing if Mr. Silverstein spent the next two years trying to find tenants for half the space, and invested $370 million of his own money as well as $430 million in insurance proceeds. In an effort to share the risks, the authority also asked the city to cover any shortfalls.

But Mr. Silverstein flatly refused to consider it.

Under his proposal, Mr. Silverstein would assume responsibility for much of the work at ground zero, with the developer claiming that he could save as much as $400 million on the authority’s current budget for the projects. The developer, who has not offered to guarantee those savings, said in a meeting Monday that he would invest $75 million. The arrangement would allow him to make an estimated $120 million in fees.

The city, in turn, has offered to cover up to $100 million in shortfalls in the financing, and has suggested that New York and New Jersey do the same. But the bulk of the financial responsibility for financing the towers would remain with the Port Authority. And neither Gov. David A. Paterson of New York nor Gov. Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey has wanted to invest more money in office space, given the condition of their state budgets.

^^
But there is a consensus to build more towers, I don't expect them to agree right away. Silverstein may have to drop one of the towers, which is probably something he doesn’t want to do. But it's better than losing two of them…I would make that concession at this point.

this picture summarize what I think of all this:

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2241/facepalm2ic7copyrl2.jpg

“We remain far apart on a second tower because of how much more public money is required to fund this speculative office building,” said Stephen Sigmund

:-D I don't want to know how much public money the dealys have cost until now.

They should see this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A2ubbgjU9k&feature=related , to understand what the new WTC means and what they are doing with this site and moove finally their asses to finally have it finished.

They should see this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A2ubbgjU9k&feature=related , to understand what the new WTC means and what they are doing with this site and moove finally their asses to finally have it finished.It's not like the Port Authority is doing this out of spite. It has limited resources, which have become markedly more limited as tax revenues have plummeted with the economy, and public works projects that desperately need to be completed. Public projects are what the Port Authority was created for. As much as I'd like to see this site completed quickly, I think the airport expansion and new railway tunnel are more important than a couple additional office towers.

^^
Yeah, but they shouldn't have bought space in Tower 4 if they didn't foresee the other towers getting built. Since Tower 4 is getting built, that pretty much means the other two towers must be built. The site isn't going to look or feel complete without them. Right now there is going to be a massive hole in the skyline, book-ended by two giant towers. I think it's going to be awfully awkward, people are going to know something is missing. The PA should have bought space in Tower 2 instead. The site would have felt even then, having the new towers on one side of the site.

The PA will be losing around $70 million a year in rent from 2 and 3 if they're not built. Backing the loans would likely cost them nothing and probably make them a hefty fee.

^^
But there is a consensus to build more towers, I don't expect them to agree right away. Silverstein may have to drop one of the towers, which is probably something he doesn’t want to do. But it's better than losing two of them…I would make that concession at this point.

They should have better choosen the fourth one, if this turns out to be true. Tower 2 and 3 are both iconic towers and great pieces of architecture, whereas tower 4 is an ugly box.

And moreover they have already canceled one tower in the past, canceling another one now would upset me even more.

They should have better choosen the fourth one, if this turns out to be true. Tower 2 and 3 are both iconic towers and great pieces of architecture, whereas tower 4 is an ugly box.


I don't know about that. Depends who you ask. Yes, Towers 2 and 3 are the most architecturally impressive. Yet I think Tower 4 may end up being my favorite tower on the site, because of its color, size, and simple design. But that's only if you’re looking at it with the other three towers built, or Tower 4 by itself. With only Freedom, along side Tower 4, the site is going to look very awkward. I think Tower 2 should have been built first, being the second tallest and closest to Freedom.

I’m thrilled Tower 4 is getting built first, but only if the other towers are getting built too. It doesn’t make any sense to build Tower 4 first if the other two towers might not get built.

The question isn't really about whether or not the other towers will get built, it's about when.

The question isn't really about whether or not the other towers will get built, it's about when.

Let’s hope, I wouldn't be surprised if the PA "forgets" about one or two of them...If Silverstein falls through...or even not. :ohno:

Looks like Tower 3 is dead in the water for now.

W.T.C. talks focus on towers & money, not podiums

By Julie Shapiro

Going into that meeting, the consensus among the stakeholders appears to be shifting toward developer Silverstein Properties’ goal of building as many office towers as possible with the Port Authority’s help, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told Downtown Express last week.

“That’s the purpose,” Silver said in an interview with editors and reporters last Friday. “Build more, and build more now. That is our purpose.”

In place of Tower 2 and the neighboring Tower 3, the Port wants to build temporary six-story retail podiums.

No one is arguing for Tower 3 to be built immediately and Silverstein appears willing to accept a podium there, but he is still fighting for Tower 2.

On Friday, Silver allied himself closely with Silverstein by agreeing that now is the time to build Tower 2. Silver added that Gov. Jon Corzine and Gov. David Paterson are both being “cooperative” in the goal of building more towers now, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg has previously expressed support for building despite the economic downturn.

On Monday, three days after Silver’s comments appeared on DowntownExpress.com, The New York Times’ Web site reported that the city proposed to backstop $100 million of the financing to build Tower 2, which indicates Bloomberg’s support for the tower. However, the Times also reported that Corzine and Paterson are reluctant to make similar financial commitments because of their already tight budgets.

Silver said Friday that an agreement would require all parties to make further investments.

“They’re trying to work through a conclusion that has everybody put in a little more: the Port Authority, the city, the state, and most important, Larry Silverstein,” Silver said. “And I hope to get there.”

The Port Authority has offered additional help to Silverstein on Tower 2, but not as much as Silverstein wants, according to a rebuilding source who confirmed to Downtown Express the financial numbers in the Times article. The developer turned down a proposal in which the Port would help with the financing if Silverstein put in an additional $370 million of his own money and $430 million of insurance money.

“We remain far apart on a second tower because of how much more public money is required to fund this speculative office building,” Stephen Sigmund, a Port spokesperson, said in a statement. “Our position continues to be that the public’s resources are better spent on public projects first, not more private office space.”

In a counterproposal to the Port Authority, Silverstein suggested that he take over much of the infrastructure work on the eastern side of the site, near his towers, including the demolition of the old temporary PATH station and the rebuilding of Greenwich St., another source involved in the rebuilding said. This source said Silverstein, who would charge development fees for the work, would still save the Port Authority money because private companies can move more quickly than government agencies.

There had been three major meetings with top stakeholders including Larry Silverstein since then, Silver said last week. Those three meetings were held quietly and out of the public eye, often at odd times of the day, Silver said. In addition, Deputy Mayor Bob Lieber has been chairing daily meetings of lower-level staff representing all the parties, the second rebuilding source said.

The next publicly announced meeting of the principals will be June 11. Although the Port Authority and Silverstein disagree vehemently on the financing for Tower 2, a few people involved said this week that the outlines of an agreement could still come by Thursday.

“We’re not there yet,” Silver said Friday. “It’s a matter of money, it’s a matter of commitment, it’s a matter of saving money, it’s a matter of refocusing so we can get a result.”

Bloomberg’s office and Silverstein Properties declined to comment.
http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_319/wtctalksfocus.html

^^

Well at least somebody still wants to get tower 2 built. I don't really care much for tower 3 anyways, although it would add a nice density to the area.

2 Freedom Towers where towers 2 and 3 were going to be seems like what might have been a good idea right now - both would be u/c!