now both cameras are down

/facepalm :down:

Oh no! They've created a new render of the site with retail podiums, and an Australian retail company has offered to build them (of course Silverstein has to agree to it, and surely will not). :(

WTC MESS AT DEADLINE

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06112009/photos/trade_center.jpg

By TOM TOPOUSIS
June 11, 2009


Mayor Bloomberg's deadline to hammer out a new deal for rebuilding Ground Zero arrives today with the Port Authority and Larry Silverstein nowhere near agreement, and another developer pitching a $1.3 billion plan to build a retail mall there.

Sources familiar with the talks said there was nothing on the table yesterday that would indicate that a pact would be struck today, three weeks after a Gracie Mansion summit that included Gov. Paterson and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

"The parties are continuing to engage in active discussions," said a Bloomberg spokesman, who would not comment further on the high-level talks.

The biggest issue is over who would finance construction of Silverstein's three office towers. The developer wants the Port Authority to back as much as $3.2 billion in financing for at least two towers he's entitled to build.

But the bi-state agency has insisted that it would only help with $800 million for one tower, which would also include PA headquarters.

In place of the other two towers, the PA has proposed building two six-story retail buildings. Office towers could be built on top when the economy recovers and Silverstein is able to arrange his own financing.

Shopping mall giant Westfield, which operated nearly 500,000 square feet of retail in the World Trade Center before 9/11, offered this week to put up $1.3 billion to build the two retail pedestal buildings.

"This is a clear endorsement of the demand for retail as part of a vibrant, 24-7 rebuilt World Trade Center and in a phased, market-development approach to retail and office space," said Port Authority spokesman Stephen Sigmund.

Silverstein declined to comment on the retail plan yesterday.

But he has previously resisted building retail space-holders, insisting that his only interest is in building new office towers with shops in the lower levels.

Because Silverstein has a lease with the Port Authority allowing him to build three towers, it's unlikely that the interim retail plan could move forward without his agreement.

But the developer has been willing to scale back his immediate plan from three to two towers.

Port Authority officials fear that even two towers -- in addition to the massive Freedom Tower the agency is building -- would bring far too much new commercial space to the market at the same time, and would be difficult to rent.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06112009/news/regionalnews/wtc_mess_at_deadline_173685.htm

one of the most important projects in USA, and we are putting podiums!!! I lost all respect for this country and especially for NYC. I'm disgusted beyond words

I found that photo (9 June 2009):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3613140206_7674a21ae3_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dallascaper/3613140206/

:-( sad news, very very very sad news. I have a feeling IF they built this retail podiums, they won't be temporarely, therefore Silverstein has to fight for at least tower 2. I hope that the nightmare on GZ will once end and we will be able to see a glourios new WTC!

Might not be a bad interim solution while times are tough - so long as the foundations are strong enough to build towers later. After all the Shanghai WFC went on hold for about a decade.

^^If you were the developer that has invested into this retailpodiums and if theese get by the time succesful, would you move your business to make place for towers?

Because of that i mentioned that i dont think that theese will be temporarely if built. And then all the Nimbys will come out and say "ohhh they dont may take us our shops away in which we are used to shop"!

one of the most important projects in USA, and we are putting podiums!!! I lost all respect for this country and especially for NYC. I'm disgusted beyond words
I pretty much agree. Someone should bring the happy news to Osama.

I doubt any podiums on the site will be permanent. This is New York City we’re talking about here. Someone, somewhere, is going to want to build more towers on the site eventually. The space is going to be valuable. Of course, just as long as the Port Authority doesn’t stand in the way....I would settle for Tower 2 right now. Silverstein will probably get Tower 2, he has to. He knows that. New York City is going to offer 100 million dollars towards Tower 2 construction, he just needs to find the rest of the money.

I doubt any podiums on the site will be permanent. This is New York City we’re talking about here. Someone, somewhere, is going to want to build more towers on the site eventually. The space is going to be valuable. Of course, just as long as the Port Authority doesn’t stand in the way....I would settle for Tower 2 right now. Silverstein will probably get Tower 2, he has to. He knows that. New York City is going to offer 100 million towards Tower 2 construction, he just needs to find the rest of the money.

I really crossing my fingers for tower 2 at least.

People of New York: "You terrorists can't take anything away from us! We will rebuild!"

Osama Bin Laden: "Yes we can! We found a weapon far superior to suicide bombing... The NYNJ Port Authority!"

People of New York: "You terrorists can't take anything away from us! We will rebuild!"

Osama Bin Laden: "Yes we can! We found a weapon far superior to suicide bombing... The NYNJ Port Authority!"

:lol: sad but you are right

^^
Bin Laden's a smart guy, in fact one of the few smart terrorists out there. Don't underestimate him...he would probably say he had this all planned out from the start.

We have just received a video that has rare construction footage of the Freedom Tower. June 8th. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejXL2za3-vQ

now both of the webcams are down/showing an old picture..
so sad, I really got used to watching the daily progress on this interesting and complex site!
hopefully they will be back on track soon!

I hope so, too. I'm going into withdraw. :rant:

Excuse me... I'm watching this project from long ago, and I think that this tower is showing the slowest progress of all under construction skyscrapers in the world. Am I the only one who feels this?

I'm sure most people are well aware of the slow progress. Those who know the many reasons why don't go out of their way to state the obvious. You have to have patience and tolerance with this particular project.

Excuse me... I'm watching this project from long ago, and I think that this tower is showing the slowest progress of all under construction skyscrapers in the world. Am I the only one who feels this?
You're actually the first to ever bring that up. Thank you for your insight.

We discuss the problems of tower 2 and 3 here in more depth

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=869912

June 12th:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3619331661_61a0a3341a_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/morrongiello/3619331661/sizes/l/

now both of the webcams are down/showing an old picture..
so sad, I really got used to watching the daily progress on this interesting and complex site!
hopefully they will be back on track soon!
My webcam is not down.
http://howtodaylooksgroundzero.blogspot.com

I'm not an American, so forgive my naivety over the politix, but considering the symbolism of this site why is there seemingly NO talk of the US Government being involved in getting the rebuild off the ground and finished? Surely they have some skin in this game as well, if only from a symbolic point of view? What does Obama say? Hilary? Can they do ANYTHING

The site is a calamitous embarrassment to the richest and most powerful country on earth...

The federal government really has no big say in this project; it's just the city government and the state government.

Though it's funny that the new WTC has both the fastest and slowest progressing projects in the US... 1WTC and the hub, and 130 Lib really slow. The memorial, moving fast with all steel being erected in this year, 7WTC being erected in a flash. And of course, WTC Tower 4 being the fastest part of the project; it's breaking records in terms of speed.

If one of the other towers starts up soon, I get the feeling it will be as fast as 4wtc because it will be on the other side of the site.

Interesting. But surely "stumps" instead of iconic new skyscrapers on the site where the most famous buildings in the world once stood has to become an issue of some national significance, even intervention? It would not happen here in Australia, I can tell you that!

Interesting. But surely "stumps" instead of iconic new skyscrapers on the site where the most famous buildings in the world once stood has to become an issue of some national significance, even intervention? It would not happen here in Australia, I can tell you that!

I see your point and I agree, but in America we have an unlikely mix of apathy and idiocy; making anything of this scale difficult. You have so many groups involved with this project, so little public involvement or interest. Many people (at least people not accustomed to surfing SkyScraperCity) vaguely believe that they are simply rebuilding the Twin Towers.

Another problem lies in the worldwide financial crises, and since our government is already spending over a trillion dollars attempting to jump-start our economy, many people are leery about putting more money into projects like this. Recently, a project to build a maglev train between Vegas and LA lost support because it was deemed to "frivolous" and not "cost effective", even though it had recieved federal money. And since the demand for more NYC office space isn't very high, that is also a contributing factor.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in Australia and other Commonwealth countries, there are less layers of government, correct? What I mean is, you have a prime minister elected from your parliament, and more focus on the legislature as a power? If somebody crashed a plane into the Sydney opera house or the amp building, I'm sure parliament would help facilitate the immediate rebuilding, with strong public support. The government of New South Wales or the city government wouldn't be in conflict. The problem is, in the US you have the city, state and national government each with conflicting branches, and each in conflict with each other. Add in the Port Authority and Architects and Contractors and NIMBYS and lobbyists, and you get the biggest bureaucratic mess on earth.

A little long winded, but hopefully mildly informative and not to depressing. I really hope that the developer can ram these towers through to construction, but he needs to ram through a whole lot of red tape.

What the fuck is going on with the webcams? :?

Amazing project.

Well i belive the United States as a whole has the obligation to finish something at least before September 11 2011, i don't think the memorial is going to be a nice place if its going to be next to the FT still under construction (which at the current rate i'll die before they finish it).

What the fuck is going on with the webcams? :?

Hey, maybe it’s good they're NOT on right now. Than we don't have to sit here looking at nothing getting done. At least they'll be closer to starting above ground construction when the cams do come back.

this is the slowest project on the planet

It's supposed to be that way.

From howtodaylooksgroundzero.blogspot.com (the only working cam), their was some concrete poured around the north core today.

^^ cheers, waited to hear something.

this is the slowest project on the planet

lol, but you have to live in Chile to see how slow can be a project haha

From SSP, rumor has it that they are pouring concrete in or around the North Core today...

Yeah da haters are back. The cores should been even pretty soon crossing my fingers

Yeah da haters are back. The cores should been even pretty soon crossing my fingers

I think we're still 2-3 months away from that happening.

this is the slowest project on the planet

Well, you cant really blame them. Think about all the red tape that would have to be processed in order to build at a terrorist site.

The reason why it's progressing at its current rate is mostly location. Soon it will be rising at the rate of any normal skyscraper that just had all below grade work finished. Had the tower remained at the location it was supposed to be built at, it would likely be close to topping out now and I don't think the first footprints were over the tracks.

Look at WTC Tower 4. I highly doubt there's many other skyscrapers rising faster then WTC Tower 4. If it were being built on the Freedom Tower's site, it would be quite slow.
With the way things are going, it seems likely that Tower 4 and Tower 1 will be entering the skyline at the same time.

please fix god damn webcams. :gunz:

Strangely enough Earthcam went down for over a week right around this time last year as well.

The reason why it's progressing at its current rate is mostly location. Soon it will be rising at the rate of any normal skyscraper that just had all below grade work finished. Had the tower remained at the location it was supposed to be built at, it would likely be close to topping out now and I don't think the first footprints were over the tracks.

Look at WTC Tower 4. I highly doubt there's many other skyscrapers rising faster then WTC Tower 4. If it were being built on the Freedom Tower's site, it would be quite slow.
With the way things are going, it seems likely that Tower 4 and Tower 1 will be entering the skyline at the same time.
Unfortunately NYC residents like this self are blind to the effects that politics and unions are having on the FT project (and many others in your city). You've been putting up with it so long you don't really see what's happening. While all of your politicians want you to believe the slow rate of construction is due to the PATH tracks under the building, that's just a fallacy. If it was being built by private industry they would've found a way to work around the interference. They couldn't afford to take all the time that is presently being taken. The old saying that "time is money" is certainly true in the construction industry.

Unfortunately NYC residents like this self are blind to the effects that politics and unions are having on the FT project (and many others in your city). You've been putting up with it so long you don't really see what's happening. While all of your politicians want you to believe the slow rate of construction is due to the PATH tracks under the building, that's just a fallacy. If it was being built by private industry they would've found a way to work around the interference. They couldn't afford to take all the time that is presently being taken. The old saying that "time is money" is certainly true in the construction industry.

You keep harping on Unions, for which reason I don't know. Considering that almost every large skyscraper built in NYC (including WTC 4) using union workers, I don't see how it is relevant.

Heh, now Earthcam wants me to log in. Weird.

^^
Yeah, what is with that? It's not going to free anymore? Speaking of which, it's weird that both webcams are down at once. Is this for security reasons, perhaps?

You keep harping on Unions, for which reason I don't know. Considering that almost every large skyscraper built in NYC (including WTC 4) using union workers, I don't see how it is relevant.
Because union workers working with private industry works. Union workers working in a political atmosphere that is already a mess causes more problems. It's not the union workers themselves that are causing the problem in this case, it's the deadly combination of unions and politicians! :ohno:

^^
Speaking of which, it's weird that both webcams are down at once. Is this for security reasons, perhaps?

I was thinking the same thing the other day. But unlikely.

Unfortunately NYC residents like this self are blind to the effects that politics and unions are having on the FT project (and many others in your city). You've been putting up with it so long you don't really see what's happening. While all of your politicians want you to believe the slow rate of construction is due to the PATH tracks under the building, that's just a fallacy. If it was being built by private industry they would've found a way to work around the interference. They couldn't afford to take all the time that is presently being taken. The old saying that "time is money" is certainly true in the construction industry.

Haha, we've got an expert here.

Strangely enough Earthcam went down for over a week right around this time last year as well.

It went down last week around the same time as a really bad thunderstorm came rolling through. Would not surprise me if it had to do with the weather, as it pretty much was cloudy/rained that whole week.

The reason why it's progressing at its current rate is mostly location. Soon it will be rising at the rate of any normal skyscraper that just had all below grade work finished. Had the tower remained at the location it was supposed to be built at, it would likely be close to topping out now and I don't think the first footprints were over the tracks.As you can see from the south footprint of the memorial now, the south tower was built over the tracks. The difference is, the tracks were operating 365 days a year through construction when they built the original Twin Towers. The PATH and subway lines opened after the complex was builtIf it was being built by private industry they would've found a way to work around the interference.No they would just bemoan the way the city refused to close the PATH and subway lines during their construction.

We are supposed to get an update today on the status of the talks between Silverstein, the PA, and everyone else, on building Tower 2. But nothing to speak of yet...

As you can see from the south footprint of the memorial now, the south tower was built over the tracks. The difference is, the tracks were operating 365 days a year through construction when they built the original Twin Towers.

The PATH and subway lines opened after the complex was built
Which of the statements is true? One says of the tracks were operating during the entire time the south tower was built. The other says they were completed until after words? Only one of these statements can be true.

No they would just bemoan the way the city refused to close the PATH and subway lines during their construction.
Privately funded projects find a way to make things happen. Instead of asking the question "can we?" they ask, "how can we?" when they come up against a major obstacle. They don't spend weeks discussing the issues because time costs them money. They find a way to overcome the obstacle and keep the project going. You'd really be surprised what can be done if you don't take NO for an answer!

Andd.....here it is. Still no agreement. :cheers:

NY Times


Still No Breakthrough in Ground Zero Talks
By CHARLES V. BAGLI
Published: June 15, 2009

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s effort to break the impasse over the development of office towers on the 16-acre ground zero site limped along Monday, with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the developer Larry A. Silverstein still at odds.

Officials from New York and New Jersey, as well as the developer and the Port Authority, which owns the World Trade Center site, have been in constant discussions since last Thursday, which had been the mayor’s deadline for a resolution to be passed. But several officials involved in the talks say the two sides continue to snipe at each other’s proposals.

Deputy Mayor Robert C. Lieber tried to put the best face on what is becoming a tedious effort, while seeming to scold both sides.

“While our talks have made headway, we can continue to work through the details to try to arrive at a consensus that all parties can support,” Mr. Lieber said in a statement released by City Hall. “The redevelopment of ground zero is no ordinary real estate project. Rebuilding the site is a civic obligation of the highest order, and the people of our city rightly expect all those responsible for the site to work cooperatively to honor that obligation.”

Mr. Silverstein is to build three office towers on the site. Unable to obtain financing or secure anchor tenants, Mr. Silverstein has demanded that the Port Authority guarantee as much as $3.2 billion in loans.

The authority, which is already building a skyscraper, a transit hub and portions of the Sept. 11 memorial, reluctantly offered to provide help with up to $1.2 billion in financing for the first of the developer’s three towers. The authority does not want to function as a bank for speculative office space, especially at a time when commercial vacancy rates are climbing and the Port Authority’s own revenues have declined.

“We agree that the World Trade Center must be rebuilt to meet the public interest, which is why we will continue in good faith to push for a solution that delivers retail and office space to meet a significantly changed market while protecting public resources and public projects,” Stephen Sigmund, a spokesman for the authority, said in a statement. “In the meantime, the public side of the site will move forward.”

So far, the governors of New York and New Jersey have backed the authority’s position, while Mr. Bloomberg and Sheldon Silver, the New York State Assembly speaker, have largely supported Mr. Silverstein.

Despite the deadlock, hundreds of construction workers labor at the site on the authority’s office tower, the memorial, the transit hub and even Mr. Silverstein’s first tower, which is emerging at street level from the bottom of the construction pit.

At this rate, even the "retail stumps" seem like a bridge too far!

It's hard to tell because most of the cameras are down, but it seems like the north core is only one (at most 2) jump away from the south core now :banana:. Pretty soon we can see steady progress.

The Noth Core has officially jumped! One more jump until it catches up with the South Core. :)

June 15th:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3630036538_7ca933d89b_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/morrongiello/3630036538/sizes/l/

So this is like one, two months at most before another jump we see steel erection on the northern section of the core. It's great to see it progressing slowly towards progressing quickly. Let's just hope the next jump won't take as long as the others.

Privately funded projects find a way to make things happen. Instead of asking the question "can we?" they ask, "how can we?" when they come up against a major obstacle. They don't spend weeks discussing the issues because time costs them money. They find a way to overcome the obstacle and keep the project going. You'd really be surprised what can be done if you don't take NO for an answer!

This isn't true. My guess is that a totally private developer would never even begin to develop on this site due to the difficulties and cost. They would find another less challenging site and develop there. The only way this site gets developed is with government assistance in one form or another. Private industry doesn't just say "how can we?" in the face of something like this, they say "we can't."

Look, to be clear, that's not a knock on private industry, it's just a reflection that the site is so challenging that private investors would find it difficult to see how they can make a profit on the site when they could build on another site more cheaply... that's the smart economic decision. So if that site is going to be built on, then we're left with the government getting involved for better or worse.

This would look nice in Grand Theft Auto 4. :)

[QUOTE Look, to be clear, that's not a knock on private industry, it's just a reflection that the site is so challenging that private investors would find it difficult to see how they can make a profit on the site when they could build on another site more cheaply... that's the smart economic decision. So if that site is going to be built on, then we're left with the government getting involved for better or worse.[/QUOTE]

sorry but look at emaar they build the burj dubai ( and yes it's a thin line between emaar and the dubai gov. but still) and they build it as a showcase to show to the world what they can. In europe there are alot of private contracters / developers that thake riscy developments to show what they can do.

This isn't true. My guess is that a totally private developer would never even begin to develop on this site due to the difficulties and cost. They would find another less challenging site and develop there. The only way this site gets developed is with government assistance in one form or another. Private industry doesn't just say "how can we?" in the face of something like this, they say "we can't."
The proposed project for the Hudson Yards is considerably more complex than this project. It will require a huge platform above an existing rail yard to be built for the buildings to rest on. It's been proposed by private industry saw something as simple as FT would not be a problem. I'm sure many private companies would have loved put their name on FT if they would've been given the opportunity.

^^I'm sorry, but you can't possibly know what you're talking about. That's not an insult, I'm just saying that no one outside of those currently working on the project can grasp all of the complexities of the site. From the outside looking in, we can say that progress is too slow and that they're dragging their feet on the construction. But who are we to judge? WE don't know anything.

sorry but look at emaar they build the burj dubai ( and yes it's a thin line between emaar and the dubai gov. but still) and they build it as a showcase to show to the world what they can. In europe there are alot of private contracters / developers that thake riscy developments to show what they can do.

Was the Burj Dubai built at the site of two terrorist attacks? Is it in a highly dense urban area where the cost of real estate is considerably higher? Are there zoning, enviromental, worker regulations that limit both construction and increase the price of said construction?

No. It was built on sand with what some would call slave labor.

The proposed project for the Hudson Yards is considerably more complex than this project. It will require a huge platform above an existing rail yard to be built for the buildings to rest on.

How are you so sure about this? Where are the facts that say that? It may be easier in fact, because the tracks are already at bedrock level, so there is no need to dig, and the railyards are not an active communter line, it is just a railyard.

Good to see the north core finally jump. Hopefully by late august it'll be caught up to the south core.

That's the plan, yes.

How are you so sure about this? Where are the facts that say that? It may be easier in fact, because the tracks are already at bedrock level, so there is no need to dig, and the railyards are not an active communter line, it is just a railyard.
OK, considering you don't think that's an appropriate comparison, how about the new Penn Station/Madison Square Garden project? That's planned to be a privately funded and built project and you certainly can say that's not a busy rail station!

In case you're not familiar with the project here's a link: Penn Station (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=153483&page=5&highlight=penn+station)

anybody know what happen with eathcam? I can't even access control panel now :ohno:

@webeagle12: same here.

since the other demonstration webcams are still working, I think (and hope) that it is only a technical issue and not a general stop of this (greatly appreciated) service

Puzzlecraft from SSP made a gif of the North Core jump. :)

http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/temp/20090615northcorejump.gif

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3634450132_93d3e08e99_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jfgallery/3634450132/sizes/l/

wow, georgous shot!

From Onn's original pic:
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo124/chris-the-007/No2/WTC-2.jpg
They start pouring floors? See the red line... :)

^^

I believe that is the ground slab level, the last floor before 1...I think. It's probably going to take longer than the other below ground levels, because it's the final one before they start going up. It's hard to tell, it might actually be ground level. But I think that there is still a top to the floor you are pointing out, which would be the floor of the lobby. They are almost to the top of the hole either way. Probably two more weeks.

without words...

^^

I believe that is the ground slab level, the last floor before 1...I think. It's probably going to take longer than the other below ground levels, because it's the final one before they start going up. It's hard to tell, it might actually be ground level. But I think that there is still a top to the floor you are pointing out, which would be the floor of the lobby. They are almost to the top of the hole either way. Probably two more weeks.

That is the lobby level.

I just noticed this but in those last two photos posted, it looks like they've actually started working on the WALL which will surround the smaller hole in the memorial pool, on the level below the actual pool. Cool!

That is the lobby level.

That's what I thought originally, but then what are those metal pieces sticking up from the top of the Fulton street connector? I was thinking that was ground level...

^^ It isn't. Thats the floor before the lobby slab.

^^ It isn't. Thats the floor before the lobby slab.

That's what I thought...if I'm reading you correctly. So this is not lobby level yet.

Port Authority on hot seat at ground zero
By Theresa Agovino
June 17, 2009

It’s getting ugly.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey again on Wednesday for the logjam between the agency and developer Larry Silverstein over financing construction of two office towers at ground zero.

"We cannot leave a hole in the ground and the Port Authority just has to come to the party,” Mr. Bloomberg said during a press conference.

The mayor added that the city itself may find a way to help end the impasse with some funds of its own. He wasn’t specific, but sources say that during negotiations the city had offered to cover $100 million in Mr. Silverstein’s financing shortfalls so that he could construct two towers. Mr. Silverstein wants the Port to back two of his towers but the agency has only offered support for one, saying it would be irresponsible to use public money to finance a risky, private real estate deal. The city’s offer still doesn’t take enough financial risk off the Port’s back, according to some sources close to the negotiations.

Frustrations are running high, sources say, because the two sides aren’t close to reaching a deal after nearly three weeks of negotiations brokered by the mayor and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

The mayor and Mr. Silver have been turning the screws on the Port to break the deadlock but it’s still unclear how effective their campaign will be. The agency is controlled by the governors of New York and New Jersey, who sources say agree that the Port should only back one tower.

The mayor acknowledged Wednesday that the Port does have its balance sheet to worry about, and said multiple changes in governors in both states since the attacks have contributed to the problems at ground zero.

On Tuesday, Messrs. Bloomberg and Silver fired the first salvo at the Port. In a statement they announced: “We fundamentally believe that there are opportunities to find mutually agreeable and responsible terms that align the Port Authority’s interests with the city’s and the nation’s and that allow continued progress at ground zero.” Mr. Silverstein’s name wasn’t even mentioned in the release.

Today, the mayor turned up the heat even more by praising Mr. Silverstein at a press conference, while reiterating that what’s good for The Port “may be slightly at odds: with what is good for America and the city.

“I will say Larry Silverstein, while not turning over the keys to his family’s net worth, has come up and has made a lot of progress, (and is) willing to step in,” said the mayor at the press conference.

The developer has a lease which allows it to build three towers at the World Trade Center site, which is owned by the Port Authority.

Mr. Silverstein had been criticized for not having any of his own money in the project. Sources said that during the negotiations he had offered to put up $75 million and said he would assume responsibility for the work at the site, which would save $400 million. However, others point out that he offered no guarantee for the $400 million and that the $75 million represented less than 2% of the buildings’ costs.

In another swipe at the Port, on Tuesday, the New York Post reported that Christopher Ward, the head of the Port Authority, was out of town over the weekend while negotiations continued. It quoted a source saying that it was impossible to strike a deal when the Port’s lead negotiator was absent.

A Port spokesman called the story “silly” and told the Post that “low blows won’t get a deal done.”

In a statement, the Port said, “We agree that the progress at the World Trade Center must continue. We are working with all parties to advance the private development in a realistic way that protects public resources for the people of this region.

Spokespeople for Mr. Silver, New York Gov. David Paterson and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine didn’t immediately return calls. A spokesman for Mr. Silverstein declined comment.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090617/FREE/906179974

That's what I thought originally, but then what are those metal pieces sticking up from the top of the Fulton street connector? I was thinking that was ground level...

That is temporary steel put in place to (eventually) create a service road to allow material to reach the tower. It does not represent the elevation of the actual street/lobby level and will be removed eventually. I think the reason why it's raised so far above the street level is so that work can continue on the street level part of Fulton Street while the service road is there, but I'm not sure.

Trust me, it is the lobby level.

That is temporary steel put in place to (eventually) create a service road to allow material to reach the tower. It does not represent the elevation of the actual street/lobby level and will be removed eventually. I think the reason why it's raised so far above the street level is so that work can continue on the street level part of Fulton Street while the service road is there, but I'm not sure.

Trust me, it is the lobby level.

Okay, yeah I think I see it. I don't know why I thought the steel was street level. So they are further along than I thought, that's good news.

Lobby level is under way everyone! Lobby Level! :dj:

Yeah, it looks like they are working on the lobby level. All below grade steel has been erected.

It alsoseems like there has been even more progress on WTC Tower 4.

anybody know who I can contact about Earthcam situation? this is retarded :ohno:

anyway here is another shot:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3636209280_28221af9b2_o.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14642579@N02/3636209280/sizes/o/

Take it easy, webeagle. The HiDef camera is dead for everyone and it will be back in at most a month or two. I don't think it's ever been down for much more than a month; all we can do is wait until they fix it. I guess we have to come to expect it being down for periods of time. Maybe it has something to do with the bad weather this city has been having recently. It really sucks for me especially because I check the HD Earthcam at least five times a day.

anybody know who I can contact about Earthcam situation? this is retarded :ohno:

Phone: 1-800-EARTHCAM

Email: ???

Mail: EarthCam, Inc.
84 Kennedy St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601

bout time for that north crane to step up to the plate

^^ phew...

Take it easy, webeagle. The HiDef camera is dead for everyone and it will be back in at most a month or two. I don't think it's ever been down for much more than a month; all we can do is wait until they fix it. I guess we have to come to expect it being down for periods of time. Maybe it has something to do with the bad weather this city has been having recently. It really sucks for me especially because I check the HD Earthcam at least five times a day.

The bad weather is my guess.

I'll be at the Millennium Hilton from July 1-6, so I'll try and take some Earthcam-esque shots for you guys then. We requested the higher floors on the side facing Ground Zero, so we'd better get that view.

Which of the statements is true? One says of the tracks were operating during the entire time the south tower was built. The other says they were completed until after words? Only one of these statements can be true.My apologies, I was typing sloppily. What I meant to say was: "As you can see from the south footprint of the memorial now, the south tower was built over the tracks. The difference is, the tracks weren't operating 365 days a year through construction when they built the original Twin Towers." In other words, the tracks opened alongside the original world trade center, whereas the subway and PATH lines were the first to reopen after the 9/11 attacks (mainly because a lot of the infrastructure survived the attacks).Privately funded projects find a way to make things happen. Instead of asking the question "can we?" they ask, "how can we?" when they come up against a major obstacle. They don't spend weeks discussing the issues because time costs them money. They find a way to overcome the obstacle and keep the project going. You'd really be surprised what can be done if you don't take NO for an answer!I think the difference you're talking about is the difference in the number of decision makers. In the typical project development, a company buys land and builds on it. The company is the sole decision maker. All other players, including contractors etc., are answerable to the company or coalition of companies that are putting up the money. That isn't the case with the WTC site, and wouldn't be no matter who was doing the developing.This isn't true. My guess is that a totally private developer would never even begin to develop on this site due to the difficulties and cost. They would find another less challenging site and develop there. The only way this site gets developed is with government assistance in one form or another. Private industry doesn't just say "how can we?" in the face of something like this, they say "we can't."Exactly. Nothing about this project is cost-effective, any anyone who wasn't already tied up with it wouldn't want to touch it. The Port Authority and Silverstein are doing it because it's prestigious and they're stuck with it.OK, considering you don't think that's an appropriate comparison, how about the new Penn Station/Madison Square Garden project? That's planned to be a privately funded and built project and you certainly can say that's not a busy rail station!And we'll see how well that goes. Schumer's been pushing the station ever since he replaced D'Amato in the Senate, and it still hasn't gone anywhere.

I passed by the tower site in the morning today. There was this one construction worker on top of a truck who was dancing and hurling abuses in the rain. :lol:

I'll take some pics tomorrow.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3640273696_1c77dfd203_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cloud_city/3640273696/sizes/o/

1 question: what is this rubbish in this picture?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3636209280_28221af9b2_o.jpg

^^
That is what is left of the old path terminal (subway) station. They had to build a new temporary one first, which is the white structure all the way to the right next to 7WTC, before they could dismantle the old one and build the new one. Yes, it is confusing. Once the debris is removed there, they will start on the new Calatrava designed station, set to open in...some time next decade. Probably 2014, 2015. http://curbed.com/uploads/2008_4_calatrava.jpg

in some point its quite depressing

in some point its quite depressing

It is, but they are making progress with the Freedom Tower and 4WTC. What else can you do?

what i meant was that these are one of the last ruins of original wtc basement (except parking). but the life has to move forward

what i meant was that these are one of the last ruins of original wtc basement (except parking). but the life has to move forward

Yes, that is true also.

what i meant was that these are one of the last ruins of original wtc basement (except parking). but the life has to move forwardThere are still the original PATH and subway platforms (for now).

I'm so excited that it's finally starting to take off. It's made amazing progress since the last time I visited, though that was last August.

I would kind of like to own a piece of that rubble from the basement level being demolished, just to be able to own a piece of the original World Trade Center complex. Unfortunately I live in Louisiana now, but anyone living in New York City, I'm sure you could ask one of the construction guys if they could grab a brick or something for you. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3639527379_3264713393_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maribelrickard/3639527379/sizes/l/

^^ Damn, you can even see WTC Tower 4 just starting to rise above the street.

I wasn't even looking at that, the massive Freedom Tower core was what caught me. :lol: Yeah, we haven't had any new shots of 4WTC in awhile. But I assume they are motoring along as usual.

great up date.....

this steel construction is a part of Freedom Tower? I cant even imagine how will this place look like with new buildings. ^^

steel construction looks very weakly i hope there wouldn't be any other terrorist attack in the future ...

so north core is officially over street level now.

steel construction looks very weakly i hope there wouldn't be any other terrorist attack in the future ...

jesus christ :doh:

steel construction looks very weakly i hope there wouldn't be any other terrorist attack in the future ...

Yeah, I tried convincing the workers not to install those skinny beams cause they looked to weak for this large building, but they just lol'ed in my face...

steel construction looks very weakly i hope there wouldn't be any other terrorist attack in the future ...

:ohno:

How many times does this have to be said? The steel that you see in that picture is going to be encased in walls of 3-4 feet of the strongest concrete ever made. The exterior columns are either the first or second strongest building columns ever created. The new 1WTC is going to be many times stronger than the original.

We get a lot of dumb asses who don't know what they're talking about coming in here,

You guys need to calm down. Not everyone in the world has been following this project like we have. Why don't you try correcting the guy instead of bashing him?

steel construction looks very weakly i hope there wouldn't be any other terrorist attack in the future ...

Look closer. Those steel beams sticking up out of the ground surrounding the core are so heavy it takes both cranes to lift them. They had to order them from Luxembourg because no mill in the Western hemisphere could make them. You could hook up to those beams and lift Lower Manhattan.

So, I guess I gota post this again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35124796@N04/3256947180/in/photostream/

Mostly the erecting steel is there to anchor the floor beams to the core, and speed erection.

PS the perimeter columns are made of high tensile low alloy self tempering steel, really tough stuff. The erecting steel is almost as tough.

errrrrmmmm, could you all shut up and write something about 1WTC instead of the hemispheres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This thread has never gone THAT off topic as it went this time.

The west is superior. End.


In any case, I'm sort of dying from the lack of the HD cam. Aside from not being able to see the WTC, I have no idea what day of the week today is or the date or month because the WTC cam is the only method I use to find out the date.

It a shame that this huge project doesn't have own webcams...:| I can't wait to see the site again by our webcams, becouse when they were working I was checking about 5-8 times a day the progress :D

:ohno:

How many times does this have to be said? The steel that you see in that picture is going to be encased in walls of 3-4 feet of the strongest concrete ever made. The exterior columns are either the first or second strongest building columns ever created. The new 1WTC is going to be many times stronger than the original.

Thank you for your response.

I just checked some of the lower quality working cams and the site is extremely active today, which is nice to know considering the bad weather outside.

Could u give some links of them? :)

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/groundzero/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3649457112_13e2f5149a_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unefoisdenouveau/3649457112/sizes/l/

They raised the forms on the north core over the weekend.

:banana: Not much longer before all the slow BS is over. :cheers:

^^
I think it's starting to look like a tower now, I can sort of see the outline. :dance2:

From the 18th.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3648435423_6dbf7083ff_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3649239452_e4600ef730_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3648430587_30749de671_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3648426163_eeaffde764_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3648422085_ff7ed799e5_b.jpg

From wtcprogress.com (http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/index.html):
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4195/wtcsignificantjune2009.jpg

From wtcprogress.com (http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/index.html):
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4195/wtcsignificantjune2009.jpg

I think the picture in the right under corner has to be switched!!!

on the right you see the steel work around the waterpipes and on the left ther's concreed over them.

Great pictures MarCanadian! I think this thing is almost ready to go up.

When is this tower going to be finished?

When is this tower going to be finished?

2013 (possibly 2014)

Finally above street level. This baby is set to rise :cheers:!

Finally above street level. This baby is set to rise :cheers:!
Yeah, welcome to 2008.

awesome...cool night view render..

I think the picture in the right under corner has to be switched!!!

on the right you see the steel work around the waterpipes and on the left ther's concreed over them.

Do you mean left corner ?

The site seems active again today too. I'm sort of used to the other cam now and I like it more in the sense that the image is updated every second; you can see countless workers all over the tower constantly moving around. It seems like they've made even more progress on the Fulton Street.
Also, I dunno why, but they seem to be working on the Tower 3 site with heavy excavation equipment.

^^
Sadly, this camera only gives us a small taste of what is going on. I don't know if that is excavation on the Tower 3 site, it looks the same to me as it has for awhile. There may be some excess movement and dirt from the path terminal being taken apart…hard to say.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3646958817_05bcffe9da_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/palstra/3646958817/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3647763102_536dfcdb8d_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/palstra/3647763102/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3650991580_eee57545d9_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rouleau/3650991580/

What a Joke, no other project has to show their progress like that, people Know that this tower is going to take a little longer, we can wait, it's been like 13.7 billion years since the big bang, we can wait.

^^
Sadly, this camera only gives us a small taste of what is going on. I don't know if that is excavation on the Tower 3 site, it looks the same to me as it has for awhile. There may be some excess movement and dirt from the path terminal being taken apart…hard to say.

Some of the excavated material I assume will be reused in concrete or cement mixes or somehow used into the site. I have heard this before.

They started setting up the formworks around the sides of the north tower memorial pool today. You can see it clearly in the earthcam and howtodaylooksgroundzero webcams.

Also, it seems that the formworks around the smaller pool in the center on the next level down which were set up last week have been removed and concrete walls now stand in their place. :)

^^
That does seem to be the case, yes. I noticed that too...There appears to be a number of concrete walls that are mysteriously appearing around the site.

Also a few new pictures courtesy of RoldanTTLB from SSP:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SkF364KfrUI/AAAAAAAACUw/aAPUUyoFXE8/s800/DSC01503.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SkF4ABgrWtI/AAAAAAAACU0/8PRAVVzO3j8/s800/DSC01504.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SkF4EyvPb3I/AAAAAAAACU4/17zeTKdSLKA/s800/DSC01505.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SkF4JT9qVzI/AAAAAAAACU8/NNVUcv7I5qg/s800/DSC01506.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SkF4OJ737fI/AAAAAAAACVA/ATOgCRimd4I/s800/DSC01507.JPG

It's look like transformer...

Great angles Onn. I get a lot better idea of the core progress from those shots.

now they also deleted the small preview window for the HD webcam (on http://www.earthcam.net/livedemos/ )if I am not misstaken.. hopefully no bad sign?!

Although the low definition cams, at least Cam 2, are kind of a replacement to see whats going on, the more details the better.

Did anybody write to the company earthcam why the service is no longer available? Maybe it caused too much traffic and everybody just wanted to look at the construction site but not buy any camera?

June 24th:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/3657756948_3fc11a7404_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/morrongiello/3657756948/sizes/l/

A lot of green rebar going in outside the tower footprint, on the corner. I'm a little surprised that they are doing sidewalk work right now. Wouldn't you normally think that would be the last thing they would do? :dunno:

A lot of green rebar going in outside the tower footprint, on the corner. I'm a little surprised that they are doing sidewalk work right now. Wouldn't you normally think that would be the last thing they would do? :dunno:
My guess would be that they're probably going to use those areas as staging areas for materials and equipment while they build the tower. Space is very limited and once the building starts rising they will need a lot more space.

My guess would be that they're probably going to use those areas as staging areas for materials and equipment while they build the tower. Space is very limited and once the building starts rising they will need a lot more space.

Yes, but do they have to pour the concrete there right now? Couldn't they just do the concrete and rebar part later? Unless they are going to put a mobile crane on that section...:lol:

They started setting up the formworks around the sides of the north tower memorial pool today. You can see it clearly in the earthcam and howtodaylooksgroundzero webcams.How are you still viewing the Earthcam?

When will we see it rise?
It's taking such a long time :?

I like this project, because this project means a new future to the city of New York, I like the design of the buildings, of the subways stations.

Interesting, the destruction added a new way to spark NY in a way.

When will we see it rise?
It's taking such a long time :?

YES idd :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:
This site sucks... its the slowest development i ever seen!!!

RISE NOW!

How are you still viewing the Earthcam?

Here: http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/groundzero/

If you look at Cam 2, it seems that they have removed most of the rest of the street north of the freedom tower!! Soon the shape of the tower will be clearly visible!

btw: what is this white tent or hut in the northern pool doing?

btw: what is this white tent or hut in the northern pool doing?

Yeah I have no clue what that thing is!
Perhaps it is for equipment?

Some slighly old/new pictures from lowermanhattan.info

http://lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/photos/WTCMemorial_JWoolhead_12.jpg

http://lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/photos/WTCMemorial_JWoolhead_10.jpg

http://lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/photos/WTCMemorial_JWoolhead_15.jpg

New museum renderings:

http://www.national911memorial.org/img/museum/SS.JPG

^^ A few differences you might notice in this latest rendering from previous ones... There's now a glass wall around the survivors staircase (answering the common questions about whether visitors would be able to walk on the stairs). Also, it looks like the floor and walls of the chamber are now a more brownish color whereas the box marking the North Tower footprint remains white... allows the North Tower itself (and presumably the South Tower one too) to "stand out" better instead of them just blending into an all white environment below ground, which is nice. Also notice the North Tower antenna in the background. :)

http://newmuseumme.national911memorial.org/images/home_new.jpg

Also, I don't remember this being discussed here but David Dunlap has done a new piece in his WTC series of stories, this one focusing on a part of the museum which will be an exhibition hall devoted to remembering the victims through photos and personal stories. I think this will be one of the best parts of the museum (according to the report, it'll be located below the South Tower pool at bedrock level). You should read the report if you haven't already. It also contains 5 renderings of the place...

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/details-on-a-monumental-scale-at-the-911-memorial/

The link below has three additional renderings of the

Took these pics today -

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7514/dscn0250v.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/844/dscn0254y.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2708/dscn0255d.jpg

view from underneath the pedestrian bridge over the west side highway:
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/9408/dscn0285z.jpg

New museum renderings:

I'm guessing the museum is not going to be anything overly elaborate, and for good reason. It's supposed to be solemn, a surreal experience maybe. It's good they finally enclosed the survivors staircase in glass, I agree with that. Although, I'm a little surprised by the post supports sticking through the middle of the staircase, that seems sloppy to me. They couldn't find some other way to do it, or was that done purposely?

contd.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4745/dscn0286e.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1640/dscn0305.jpg

zoomed in:
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2279/dscn0306.jpg


overview of Ground Zero:
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4904/dscn0309c.jpg

^^
And amazing shots IndiansUnite, that's one of the most comprehensive updates we've had in awhile! Much appreciated, there are some beauties right there. You were sure busy...and it looks like they are equally busy on the site. Thanks for the pictures! :cheers:

Cheers Onn.

For the past month, I've seen ground zero and the other u/c buildings in downtown pretty much every weekday. I didn't take any pictures coz some days I was busy with work while on others I was too lazy to take my camera along. I finally decided to shed the lethargy and treat you guys.

I'll take and post new pics next week.

Good, I look forward to that. Particularly watching 4WTC rise, it’s been the fastest project on the site. Thery're supposed to be working on ground level soon. Thanks for all the updates again, they look great.

Here: http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/groundzero/Thanks. Not nearly as good as the high definition cam we used to have from them, but certainly better than nothing.

I find it extremly stupid building a museum about 9/11

I find it extremly stupid building a museum about 9/11

Why?

I find it extremly stupid building a museum about 9/11

:nuts:

I find it extremly stupid building a museum about 9/11

5 bucks he says something about the US government being in on it.

how is that part of north tower's anatenna kept to make sure it doesn't roll?

how is that part of north tower's anatenna kept to make sure it doesn't roll?
?????

5 bucks he says something about the US government being in on it.
Actually no..it has nothing to do with the governement... Why isnt there a museum for the Oklahoma city terrorist attack,why isnt there a museum for the england train station attack?? because theres nothing to show about it. I dont really think that theres something to show about 9/11 except the dead people that died and the heroes that saved the lifes. P.S sorry if u dont really understand what i mean.

Actually no..it has nothing to do with the governement... Why isnt there a museum for the Oklahoma city terrorist attack,why isnt there a museum for the england train station attack?? because theres nothing to show about it. I dont really think that theres something to show about 9/11 except the dead people that died and the heroes that saved the lifes. P.S sorry if u dont really understand what i mean.

I totally agree that it is a stupid idea...and a waste of Expensive land

but i think that the probable reason for this museum might be:

-->That a lot of more people died here than in any other terrorist attack in the US.
-->and the fact that the only way to shut those families up(the families of the dead) is by building them a museum because if not they would still be talking and complaning about it.
-->a way to force people to never forget this particular terrorist attack. Because if you build something on top of it, then people would easily forget what happened on 9-11 but by building a museum people will always remember how much of asshol*es the taliban/AlQaeda is...

Some new pictures from NYGuy on SSP, I'm not going to post all of them becuase I think IndiansUnite just gave us a good tour of the site on the last page.

The most important development that can be seen in many of the pictures is that they are finally taking apart the rest of Vesey Street, where there are currently Freedom Tower beams sticking out of the ground. This is the last major obstacle left before the tower can go up.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/114296877/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/114296922/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/114296989/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/114297000/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/114297008/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/114297195/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/114297261/large.jpg

The history of this thread was so annoying. Some guy comes in and complains about how slow it is. People tell him it's because the groundworks need to be finished first. Next page, another guy comes in and complains about how slow it is. People tell him it's because the groundworks need to be finished first. Next page, the next guy comes in complaining, and so on and so on and so on.

Now the groundworks are pretty much finished and the tower is shooting up like a spring mushroom, kind of makes me want to kick all the people whining about slowness in the face...

spring mushroom

http://www26.patrz.pl/u/f/05/53/79/55379.jpg:banana:

^^Nasty. Is that rotting meat or what? The smaller mushrooms look like...well, that's kinda obvious.

I wonder if the north core will always lag the south core so that the cranes have a little more freedom of movement?

Thats a culture medium for growing a special kind of mushrooms, which are considered as drugs. :ohno:

The reason these posts are so annoying is b/c there's nothing to talk about.
1000 pictures/comments of the same staleness--

you must be talking about the infamous molasses mushroom

how is that part of north tower's anatenna kept to make sure it doesn't roll?

^^Most confusing post I've read in this thread.




At least its faster than someone's molasses brain. Seems like more forms went up. I didn't realize the beams were sticking up through Vesey Street. No wonder that side's going slow. How long until that section is deconstructed?

Oh for fuck's sake, now the low-def cam is pointing at the sky. :ohno:

There's no way this is a coincidence, these cams going down has to be related to security...

^^ You can't blame them.

Oh for fuck's sake, now the low-def cam is pointing at the sky. :ohno:

There's no way this is a coincidence, these cams going down has to be related to security...

Or a new shameless demand for money. You'll notice that before you can access any of the three views, there's now a 30-second advertisement that plays. My guess is that they discovered that with the WTC rebuilding now finally gaining steam, there's going to be huge interest in it and they can make a fortune charging people to view the webcams (or at least cluttering them with advertisements). Think about it, the rebuilding of the World Trade Center is the highest-profile construction project in the United States now, and perhaps in the world.

There's no reason why it would be a security concern... the FT, memorial, and 4WTC are all now above ground so there's nothing that the cameras reveal that isn't obvious to anyone above ground taking pictures. Also, if it were about security, then they would have also demanded that rebuildgroundzero and howtodaylooksgroundzero take down their webcams, but no sign that that has happened. I'm guessing they're reconfiguring their website so that you have to sign up and pay to view the hi-def webcam, and in the meantime have just pointed it skyward just to be... dicks.

I guess that makes sense, but why is the cam at RBGZ down too? =(

^^ You can't blame them.
To quote president Obama:

Yes we can!

Actually no..it has nothing to do with the governement... Why isnt there a museum for the Oklahoma city terrorist attack,why isnt there a museum for the england train station attack?? because theres nothing to show about it. I dont really think that theres something to show about 9/11 except the dead people that died and the heroes that saved the lifes. P.S sorry if u dont really understand what i mean.

http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/

Maybe if you did 5 seconds of looking before you shot off your mouth you wouldn't look so stupid.
But I doubt it.

To quote president Obama:

Yes we can!

:ohno:
That phrase needs to be made illegal.
Interesting progress on the site, I'll definitely keep an eye on this, I think it's one to be one of Manhattan's most important structures.

I guess that makes sense, but why is the cam at RBGZ down too? =(

Because this webcam is down more days of the year than it is up.

Or a new shameless demand for money. You'll notice that before you can access any of the three views, there's now a 30-second advertisement that plays. My guess is that they discovered that with the WTC rebuilding now finally gaining steam, there's going to be huge interest in it and they can make a fortune charging people to view the webcams (or at least cluttering them with advertisements).I'd even be willing to pay a modest fee for the free service we got a month ago. Only having access to the postage stamp-sized down-rez of the high-resolution camera is maddening.

Well someone on this forum needs to bite the bullet, so they can provide us with daily webcam updates

Now the groundworks are pretty much finished and the tower is shooting up like a spring mushroom

You must be looking at e different mushroom...

I'd be willing to pay some money to get the hi-def cam back online. Though it might just come back anyways. If you looked at the history of that camera it once spent like three months pointed at gravel before somebody went and corrected it.

http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/

Maybe if you did 5 seconds of looking before you shot off your mouth you wouldn't look so stupid.
But I doubt it.

Im sorry that i made that mistake!! but that wasnt the point of what i was saying!!

25 June:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3671606457_cba3220e9f_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwyerfamily/3671606457/

The photo is not too good (quality); i see some serious works on the lobby of WTC1?

^^
That's the lobby level, yes. I'm guessing this floor is going to take longer than the floors below it, being the ground level one and all. They should be poring concrete where the green rebar is in that picture this week, assuming it doesn’t rain.

Here is another picture from June 25th:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3659939091_057a0c466a_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/morrongiello/3659939091/sizes/l/

I took these shots today:

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/856/hpim0378.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/170/hpim0379u.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9562/hpim0380.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8618/hpim0383.jpg

I took these shots today:

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/856/hpim0378.jpg


Wacky drunken waiving inflatable arm flailing construction man!
Wacky drunken waiving inflatable arm flailing construction man!
Wacky drunken waiving inflatable arm flailing construction man!

Nice update! Looks like the entire tower footprint is now at lobby level. They are also framing in a circle with rebar to the right side of the second picture. In the renders, that looks to be a spot that holds trees, but I wonder if it's going to be some sort of foundation? On the other side of the Freedom there is supposed to be a fountain at street level. But we don't really have a ground render for the side they're working on...

http://www.downtownexpress.com/de-164/uglyglassfortress.gif

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a217/youaremykilikiller/freedom-tower-1-large.jpg?t=1246318924

Hmmm, this second to last picture makes me wonder even more about something I noticed in the poorer quality webcams. Notice how there's a circular, "sunken" area within the rebar to the east of the FT. I can think of only one reason for this. Look at these two renderings and floor plan of that section just east of the Freedom Tower, in the center of the east plaza. Notice anything?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3672876307_3a8bd745a6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3672875293_644596b1bc_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3673695442_5ee15bf503_o.jpg

Now look at this webcam pic of that same area:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3673674650_2fdeb9cc32_o.jpg

I had always thought it was way, way too early to start thinking about construction for the plaza structures, but it surely seems to me like they're preparing to cast the concrete for the plaza including the circular "pit" that will allow for the tree roots and dirt and whatever else needed for this plaza structure. Of course I don't expect them to actually plant the tree(s) in this location anytime soon (if they even do plant trees here... maybe it'll be a small waterfountain thing like outside WTC7), but it's kinda cool being able to look at the exact location for one of the Freedom Tower's plaza structures.

UPDATE: Haha, Onn and I apparently came to the same conclusion. :)

^^
We did, I've been wondering about that all day. :lol:

Trees make sense, although I think a water fountain might be nicer. I don't get why they are doing sidewalk work right now though? No one is going to be able to walk on that until after the building is finished. It doesn’t make much sense.

^^ Props to both RKOwens and Onn for the fountain catch. Nice to be able to notice the littlest details slowly emerge.

I think probably one of the reasons they're going ahead and doing work on the plaza level now is so the basement level below can have a ceiling, and they can begin doing electrical and a/c and whatever other type of work requires a ceiling over the basement. Also, it'll probably make it easier to get stuff to the tower for construction.

fantastic up date picture also nice rendering...

Thanks IndiansUnite, Onn and RKOwens!

oh wow, cam 2 is back on track. So it has nothing to do with security, just technical reasons for the off-times of all the cameras..

New York will be more beautiful when it's finished.

They are framing in something else now in the same area. A square, or is it a rectangle in the making? Hey, this isn't in the renders....:dunno:

^ Can you point out the location on this (http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9562/hpim0380.jpg) pic? I'll take a pic of it tomorrow.

^ Can you point out the location on this (http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9562/hpim0380.jpg) pic? I'll take a pic of it tomorrow.

Hey IndiansUnite, can you also take some snaps of the memorial where their finishing the last corner of the north pool. It's tough to se all the detail on earthcam. Thanks!!

^^
It's right behind the yellow crane, directly left of the circle from that direction.

spectre000, Onn - sure

^ Can you point out the location on this (http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9562/hpim0380.jpg) pic? I'll take a pic of it tomorrow.

Would you mind also taking a pic of the west side of the Freedom Tower's lobby and west plaza... that whole area between the building and West Street? We haven't seen any pics of this area (from the pedestrian footbridge) in a long while and I'm sure a lot of progress has been made. And yeah as spectre said, it would be awesome to be able to see a picture of that last corner of the North Tower memorial. As always though, I think I speak for everyone when I say we hugely appreciate the pics.

It looks like they're pouring the concrete for that plaza level area with all the green rebar tonight. For me it's almost more entertaining watching the tower crane load up that big scooper thing, rotate it over, pour the concrete, and then repeating the process over again than it is watching TV. :lol: The rotating earthcam camera is the best... updates like twice a second.

I can't see much, but without a doubt they are working on the tower right now because I can the workers all over the lobby/street level. I forgot that they worked during the night too.

Yeah, looks like they might be pouring concrete in that area tonight. Hard to tell, we'll know for sure in the morning. They have poured concrete at night before, so that would not come as a surprise to me...

They've indeed poured a section of the lobby floor. Can't see much details on the cam at night, but you can clearly see the fresh concrete and the circle for the fountain :)

http://archives.earthcam.com/archives5/ecnetwork/us/ny/nyc/gzmpr/gzrobotic1.jpg
^^ btw this is a direct link to the image of the cam. It should update every 15 minutes and with the zoom functions in your browser you can still see some details. Less than with the HD cam, but still sufficient.

About the HD cam. I emailed Earthcam about two weeks ago about the cam. I asked if it would come back again and if you must pay to see it. So far I haven't got a response. Did anyone else contacted Earthcam as well?

http://www.cnplus.co.uk/technical/ta...204061.article

http://www.cnplus.co.uk/pictures/562x422fitpad[0]/5/4/0/1205540_World_Trade_Center_site_2.jpg

http://www.cnplus.co.uk/pictures/562x422fitpad[0]/5/4/2/1205542_World_Trade_Center_site_3.jpg

They are framing in something else now in the same area. A square, or is it a rectangle in the making? Hey, this isn't in the renders....:dunno:

Yes it is, if you look at the plan render of the lobby it's the long tree planter running north south next to the tower. If memory serves those planters are about 6 feet deep.

^^
It's hard to see on the renders. You have the plans, you should know. But a planter probably would have been my first guess.

And great to see the concrete poured, they got some of the actual Freedom Tower lobby as well, looks great! :)

Pimpmaster´s link seems to be fragmentary, here the whole link:
http://www.cnplus.co.uk/technical/tall-buildings/exclusive-look-at-progress-on-world-trade-center-site/5204061.article

Ground Zero Webcam is back up, July 1st! :cheers:

http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg

Ground Zero Webcam is back up, July 1st! :cheers:

http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg

:banana: Lots of progress made on the site in the last 3 weeks.

^^ yeah, but it got stucked at 4:00 PM :(

I took these pics at different times during the day. All pics have been chronologicaly posted. Excuse the picture quality. I used my old camera today since my bro has taken my other newer one to cali. http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6139/iconevil.gif

July 1

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2742/dscn9204.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7058/dscn9206.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1127/dscn9207.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6053/dscn9209.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7519/dscn9210.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5999/dscn9211.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1699/dscn9212.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2846/dscn9213.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6203/dscn9214.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4927/dscn9216.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/2051/dscn9229.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7070/dscn9230z.jpg

They had opened the gate for a truck to go out:
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/526/dscn9234.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2586/dscn9235.jpg

memorial footprints region:
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1679/dscn9237.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9397/dscn9238.jpg

Click on the following 4 pics to view large:

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9111/dscn9239.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1502/dscn9239f.jpg)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7452/dscn9240g.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8906/dscn9240o.jpg)

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3528/dscn9241.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3528/dscn9241.jpg)

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/783/dscn9242.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/783/dscn9242.jpg)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5589/dscn9243.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1566/dscn9244.jpg

These were taken in the evening:
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4066/dscn9250b.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5893/dscn9251g.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8061/dscn9252d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3673674650_2fdeb9cc32_o.jpg

I had always thought it was way, way too early to start thinking about construction for the plaza structures, but it surely seems to me like they're preparing to cast the concrete for the plaza including the circular "pit" that will allow for the tree roots and dirt and whatever else needed for this plaza structure. Of course I don't expect them to actually plant the tree(s) in this location anytime soon (if they even do plant trees here... maybe it'll be a small waterfountain thing like outside WTC7), but it's kinda cool being able to look at the exact location for one of the Freedom Tower's plaza structures.


I'm not sure if its for trees or a water fountain:

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3571/3678873545_6ac3f46501_o.jpg

wow, this is a greeeaat update! :cheers: thanks IndiansUnite for these fantastic pics! And the quality of them is not so bad.

Yes, thank you for the pictures IndiansUnite. Zen said the squares I was pointing out are going to be planters for trees, the renders seem to back that up. The north core jump also looks to be the next major project they are going to work on, we'll see. Thanks again, the camera is no problem at all. They look great. :)

What a thorough update IndiansUnite! Thanks so much. Looks like all the works are up for the north core. I hope they'll be pouring concrete soon. The north pool in the memorial made a lot of progress in the last couple of days. Shouldn't be long till we can see the final outline of it.

Another month and I'll be in NYC myself. I can't wait to see the WTC site in person. Thanks again for posting the great pictures!! (keep em coming :))

IndiansUnite... you are the man.

Fantastic pictures. I recognize a lot of the ground level vantage points, but what building were you in to get the shots from overhead?

great up date by IndiansUnite, very clear picture...

For anyone who thinks they're working too slow, a video of the plaza pour.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1859729610?bclid=1859720569&bctid=28223601001

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

rebuildgroundzero webcam is online again!!!

Here we go.

More than 250,000 gallons of concrete were poured over 14 hours for 1 World Trade Center starting on Tuesday night, giving shape to the base of a large fountain on the plaza level and boxes where trees will be planted.

The concrete - which would be enough for six miles of city sidewalk - was brought in by 125 trucks and was the largest pour in the construction process to date. "You get a feel of what it looks like street level for the first time," said Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In total, more than 4.5 million gallons have been poured.

"We have been spending the last year and a half building underground infrastructure," he said. "This finally gets the street level plaza being formed."

I can't wait for all of the nasty below grade work to end.

^^
That gives you an idea of just how thick that pour was, for street level. All that green rebar wasn't for nothing. 125 trucks is just wow! Nice video, by the way. It gives us a good idea of where they're at on the project. They should be able to start moving up as soon as the rest of Vesey Street gets taken down.

Construction Pour: One WTC Plaza Takes Shape
http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2432/3678873159_5e0a1878b9_o.jpg

Wednesday, July 1, 2009, by Lockhart

Further evidence that the One World Trade Center tower will actually exist: this epic concrete pour, which, per Port Authority public relations executives, took 14 hours and used the equivalent of six miles worth of sidewalk concrete. This plaza, on the eastern side of One WTC, includes a fountain—see that large circle? Fountain!—and concrete boxes where Swamp White Oaks will one day grow. For the true concrete junkies amongst us, there's an epic two-minute time-lapse video of the pour. Pour, baby, pour!

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2444/3678873423_072ac8cf92_o.jpg
http://curbed.com/archives/2009/07/01/construction_pourn_one_wtc_plaza_takes_shape.php

Wow, great video. Nice find Nomadd22.

Cheers folks. I'm glad I'm contributing to the visual updates on at least one of the forums. I'm off today and tomorrow, so the next time I take some pics would be on Monday.

adam-albany, I took those overhead shots from the 1 WFC.

I truly hope those two articles are correct in saying that the circular pit is for a future fountain instead of just a group of trees (as depicted in the renderings). I like trees but God knows there are already plenty enough trees surrounding the Freedom Tower, and having more right smack in the middle of the plaza would probably just make it cluttered. So, I do hope it'll be a fountain. If you look at the close up pics it seems way too shallow for a tree root pit anyway... only a foot or so deep.

By the way, wouldn't it be cool if the circle were for... the SPHERE????? Man that would rock.

The 18 foot circle is a planter, not a fountain (refer to drawings A-500 through A-504.4, for slab re-enforcement see drawing S-1.001 B-R) . It's only about 16 inches deep but gets a stepped wall around it. You can also see the rectangular planters between it and the perimeter columns.

Leave it to a reporter to measure cement in gallons while the rest of us use cubic yards. I guess 250,000 gallons sounds more impressive than 1,237 cubic yards . Still, it was a big pour.

They show the east plaza pour and a render of the west plaza DOH!

RKOwen, it would be very cool if it were for the sphere, who knows maybe they'll actually put it there.

^^
That gives you an idea of just how thick that pour was, for street level. All that green rebar wasn't for nothing. 125 trucks is just wow! Nice video, by the way. It gives us a good idea of where they're at on the project. They should be able to start moving up as soon as the rest of Vesey Street gets taken down.

Almost 4 feet thick, and the beams are thicker.

adam-albany, I took those overhead shots from the 1 WFC.Thanks for the info! And again, thanks for the shots.

New York Times: Gallons and Gallons of Concrete Shape Plaza at Ground Zero (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/gallons-and-gallons-of-concrete-shape-plaza-at-ground-zero/)

I'm not sure if Lee plagarized from Lockhart, Lockhart plagarized from Lee, or if the PANYNJ announced that a foundation would be in the circular grooves where renderings show trees to be.

If it was a fountain, wouldn't there have to be some plumbing going up into it?

new T4 videos:
http://www.wtc.com/media/videos/Tower%204%20Steel%20Fabrication
http://www.wtc.com/media/videos/Tower%204%20Lobby%20Mockup

That's great to see there filling the foundation in... I think this is going to be good! :)

Zen, would I be correct to assume that each of the four rectangular pits (or "planters"?) are for one individual tree? I count four of them, so if so then I guess that means there will be four trees along that side, then a gap for the east entrance, then presumably four more north of the entrance. The rendering of the west plaza shows 5 trees to each side of the entrance, but I like the idea of just 4 better. As we all know, the base is intended to reflect cool shades of colors all throughout the day, but I'm afraid too many trees are going to block too much of the base. Also, it would prevent a lot of light from reaching into the lobby through those upper vertical windows. The less trees the better (in my opinion).

BTW, are you measuring the circle by radius when you say it's 18 feet wide? The diameter seems to be about 1/6th the length of the FT, which is about 200 feet long.

Zen, would I be correct to assume that each of the four rectangular pits (or "planters"?) are for one individual tree? I count four of them, so if so then I guess that means there will be four trees along that side, then a gap for the east entrance, then presumably four more north of the entrance. The rendering of the west plaza shows 5 trees to each side of the entrance, but I like the idea of just 4 better. As we all know, the base is intended to reflect cool shades of colors all throughout the day, but I'm afraid too many trees are going to block too much of the base. Also, it would prevent a lot of light from reaching into the lobby through those upper vertical windows. The less trees the better (in my opinion).


I'm surprised they’re putting trees at the base of a supertall tower at all. Where else does that happen? I hope this works out as well as they intended it to. They are definitely treading new water here. :lol:

RKOwens, I'll have to check that on Monday, the Landscape prints are at work.