NEW YORK | 2-4WTC | 408m | 1339ft | 383m | 1257ft | 297m | 975ft | Prep

[Chad]

Originally Posted by TalB

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008...rade_cent.html
Pros fear new towers at World Trade Center site have security gaps

by greg b. smith and douglas feiden
daily news staff writers

Sunday, February 24th 2008, 4:00 AM



Law enforcement officials have major concerns about security weaknesses in the planned World Trade Center complex, a Daily News investigation has found.

The potential problems expressed to the Port Authority and others involved in the most high-profile development project in New York City history include:

A row of three mostly glass towers positioned too closely to city streets, increasing their vulnerability to attack.

Difficulties in inspecting some 2,000 delivery trucks and sightseeing buses that will enter or leave the site daily.

A vehicle security center that hasn't been fully designed and relies on vehicle inspection technology that hasn't even been developed yet.

Asked about weaknesses uncovered by The News in the plans for rebuilding Ground Zero, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne said, "The NYPD has been in talks with the Port Authority, but we don't disclose any information about possible security vulnerabilities for obvious reasons."

Port Authority spokesman Stephen Sigmund said the agency is "very confident that the entire rebuilt WTC site - every building and every square inch - will operate with an unprecedented level of safety and security."

Michael Balboni, Gov. Spitzer's deputy secretary for public safety, emphasized, "At the end of the day, this will be one of the most secure footprints on the globe."

Law enforcement counterterrorism specialists have pinpointed serious flaws in key components of the Trade Center site, including three of the signature office towers projected to open by 2012.

Towers 2, 3 and 4 - which will rise between Greenwich and Church Sts. to 79, 71 and 64 stories, respectively - contain too much glass, sources familiar with the issues said.

They also are not set back far enough from the two streets - where uninspected trucks will whiz by - to meet the most rigorous security standards, the sources said.

"The reimposition of the street grid is an integral part of the plan to bring vibrancy to lower Manhattan," said Avi Schick, chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp.

"The administration understands the need to balance that goal with legitimate security concerns."

Another concern: The buildings do not meet Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security blast standards. That means they can withstand certain types of explosions - but not more powerful blasts.

The DOD blast standards - rarely applied to U.S. skyscrapers - are typically used in U.S. embassies and missions abroad, sensitive government facilities and military bases.

Counterterrorism officials contend that because of the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, and Al Qaeda's pattern of repeatedly striking targets, DOD blast standards should be used in the Ground Zero buildings.

"The plans have been out for quite a while on these buildings, and it would have been nice to voice these concerns at the start rather than wait until now," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who represents lower Manhattan. "The community wants to move forward."

A spokesman for Larry Silverstein, the developer of the three towers, declined to comment on security issues.

Silverstein's buildings - including a 1,270-foot giant that will be taller than the Empire State Building - have been designed with a steel-encased concrete core and engineered with safety systems exceeding the city's building code and the requirements of the Port Authority, his company says.

The Freedom Tower's extra safety measures - including being set back farther from the street, thicker glass and upgraded blast standards - were done after the NYPD raised questions about the building's weaknesses. Similar changes were made to the trade center's transportation hub after issues arose.

Asked about the overall effort to ensure the new trade center is secure, James Kallstrom, the former director of the FBI's New York office and former Gov. George Pataki's homeland security chief, said: "It's complicated. It's a very crowded area. It's not easy ... It's going to require state-of-the-art technology and competent, trained manpower."

The need for screening every single truck entering the area and the difficulties of carefully managing inspections were key issues Kallstrom addressed in a report he completed before leaving government last year.

Kallstrom and Balboni declined to discuss the report's recommendations, though Balboni said most were being implemented.

While inspecting thousands of vehicles a day is tough enough, the problem is more complicated in lower Manhattan because of narrow streets and thick traffic.

"We can't let anything enter the underground in that acreage that could have the potential for certain size devices or bombs without proper screening," Kallstrom said.

All delivery trucks and buses will access the complex through a new Vehicular Security Center, an underground complex with an entrance and exit on Liberty St. that will function as the central security checkpoint.

The $478 million project has been on the drawing boards since 2003 and was to start last April, but all the Port Authority has done is move some utilities and sewer lines.

Delays in demolition of the toxic former Deutsche Bank tower have made it close to impossible for construction of the subterranean project to begin.

Bids for a contractor haven't gone out, and excavation of the so-called south bathtub for the center hasn't begun, the bistate agency confirmed.

"Obviously, the fact that [Deutsche Bank] is not down presents some serious challenges to the VSC," Sigmund said.

There's more: The design and engineering specifications, which the Port Authority said in 2006 were being finalized, are not ready, and the screening technology does not exist.

Nevertheless, the PA said the Vehicular Security Center is set to be finished when the other buildings come on line, by 2011 or 2012.

"We will have the appropriate technology to do the screening when the VSC is completed," Sigmund said, noting the facility will meet DOD and Homeland Security standards.

Sigmund said they would inspect vehicles "off-site or in a holding area if necessary," declining to specify where it would take place.

That's a nightmare scenario for downtown residents, who say they're worried the Sept. 11 museum and other buildings will open before the Vehicular Security Center is completed, compromising security and the quality of life.

Asked if he was troubled the center has fallen behind schedule, Balboni said: "I'm not concerned yet, but that could change. We're watching it very closely."

dfeiden@nydailynews.com

Ohhhhhhh...........cut the shit !!!!

[webeagle12]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008...rade_cent.html
Pros fear new towers at World Trade Center site have security gaps

I never heard so much BS in one article since Earth was born!!!

"Contains too much glass", looks like puberty in da house.

[Brizer]

The lengths that some people will go to to get their insignificant name in the press!
You cannot prevent disaster and no matter what measures are instigated, there'll always be some cunning maniac who can get through.
Make beautiful buildings, take reasonable precautions but enjoy life while it lasts because we cannot live in fear and still have a decent life.

[TICONLA1]

Originally Posted by Brizer

The lengths that some people will go to to get their insignificant name in the press!
You cannot prevent disaster and no matter what measures are instigated, there'll always be some cunning maniac who can get through.
Make beautiful buildings, take reasonable precautions but enjoy life while it lasts because we cannot live in fear and still have a decent life.

Yes, i totally agree, these towers meet or excede code standards, steel encased, concrete core's, redundent structural systems, there design is state of the art, ....and this is why i wish the project had started much sooner after the attack, it's been so long, that some people do things like this article,

Just build the towers, i've had enough freedom taken from me allready...!!!!....and i don't need any more drama.

[decks67]

in 2 years time this will be the best construction site in the world with 4 massive towers rising within meters of each other

[decks67]

in 2 years time this will be the best construction site in the world with 4 massive towers rising within meters of each other

[LeMoN-SK]

What about Dubai, where are not 4 but 400 towers next to each other rising?

But I agree, it will surely look really impressive. I hope there won't be some delays on some tower and they will rise all together...

[Nike12]

Originally Posted by LeMoN-SK

What about Dubai, where are not 4 but 400 towers next to each other rising?

But I agree, it will surely look really impressive. I hope there won't be some delays on some tower and they will rise all together...

What about dubai? dubai is like a tourist park. New York is a real actualy busy city, this site is more impressive to me then dubai.

[meh_cd]

Originally Posted by Nike12

What about dubai? dubai is like a tourist park. New York is a real actualy busy city, this site is more impressive to me then dubai.

This sums up my feelings on Dubai exactly.

[44p]

Are any of the towers 2,3,or 4 under construction yet?

[romanamerican]

Originally Posted by Nike12

What about dubai? dubai is like a tourist park. New York is a real actualy busy city, this site is more impressive to me then dubai.

You finally gave words to my thoughts, thank you!

[phillybud]

Lets not get into the New York Vs. Dubai thing again. It's SSSOOOOO tired!

[Hollie Maea]

I wonder why it is that New York fans get so bent out of shape when the existence of any other city is acknowledged. None of the other cities seem to really be like that...even Chicago, which is about as proud of its skyline as anyone could be. I understand that this thread is for these NY buildings and discussion should focus on them...but all of the other threads I visit talk about comparisons of buildings from other cities, but I've noticed consistent outrage on the NY threads when another city is mentioned. And it's not just Dubai. I've seen everyone howling over mention of Chicago, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.

[nygirl]

You are incorrect this is not something that is unique to New Yorkers. I even think we pale in comparison to some others.

[pennster]

Originally Posted by Hollie Maea

I wonder why it is that New York fans get so bent out of shape when the existence of any other city is acknowledged. None of the other cities seem to really be like that...even Chicago, which is about as proud of its skyline as anyone could be. I understand that this thread is for these NY buildings and discussion should focus on them...but all of the other threads I visit talk about comparisons of buildings from other cities, but I've noticed consistent outrage on the NY threads when another city is mentioned. And it's not just Dubai. I've seen everyone howling over mention of Chicago, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.

Why does any city need to be brought up when it has nothing to do with the thread (à la the poster who shall remain nameless who decided to bring up Dubai in the first place)?

Dubai is a sore spot for any world city since it is attempting to bring attention to itself solely based on the heights of its buildings and not on their quality or the quality of the city/emirate itself. NYC attempts to increase the quality of the city itself with every new construction site. It doesn't need tall buildings to be a world-class attraction, whereas Dubai is just that: a glorified highrise construction site. Remember, the only reason Dubai has this type of investment is because its future and especially the future wealth of its emirs and princes depend on a movement from an oil-based to a tourist-based economy. So far, so good, but we'll see if it can continue this growth in 10 years. My bet would be a resounding "no way".

[Nike12]

Originally Posted by Hollie Maea

I wonder why it is that New York fans get so bent out of shape when the existence of any other city is acknowledged. None of the other cities seem to really be like that...even Chicago, which is about as proud of its skyline as anyone could be. I understand that this thread is for these NY buildings and discussion should focus on them...but all of the other threads I visit talk about comparisons of buildings from other cities, but I've noticed consistent outrage on the NY threads when another city is mentioned. And it's not just Dubai. I've seen everyone howling over mention of Chicago, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.

There is nothing wrong but seriously, this thread is about a project in new york. Not dubai. Dubai already has ike a million threads.

[Hollie Maea]

Originally Posted by pennster

Why does any city need to be brought up when it has nothing to do with the thread (à la the poster who shall remain nameless who decided to bring up Dubai in the first place)?

Because comparisons are interesting. It's fun to see how a project compares to others happening in other cities and around the world. I don't think that somehow destroys the thread or anything like that. The fact is, this project right now is at the point where you don't see a lot of visible progress (and before you all freak out, no I'm not saying it is "slow" just that every project when it reaches the foundation building stage, you don't see a lot of dramatic changes visible over short periods of time). So, there's can be a shortage of stuff to talk about. The Russia Tower and the Chicago Spire threads often talk about comparisons since those two are similar sizes and being built at the same time. The same with the ICC in Hong Kong and the SWFC in Shanghai. There are many other examples from lots of different cities, but the NYC threads seem to really hate that. I never post in the NYC threads because it seems so easy to anger the posters, but I don't understand why. New York is thought by most people to have one of the best skylines in the world, so why would fans be so scared of acknowledging other cities and making comparisons? It's not like such discussions are going to convince people that NYC somehow sucks in comparison to other cities.

[UrbanImpact]

Originally Posted by Hollie Maea

Because comparisons are interesting. It's fun to see how a project compares to others happening in other cities and around the world. I don't think that somehow destroys the thread or anything like that. The fact is, this project right now is at the point where you don't see a lot of visible progress (and before you all freak out, no I'm not saying it is "slow" just that every project when it reaches the foundation building stage, you don't see a lot of dramatic changes visible over short periods of time). So, there's can be a shortage of stuff to talk about. The Russia Tower and the Chicago Spire threads often talk about comparisons since those two are similar sizes and being built at the same time. The same with the ICC in Hong Kong and the SWFC in Shanghai. There are many other examples from lots of different cities, but the NYC threads seem to really hate that. I never post in the NYC threads because it seems so easy to anger the posters, but I don't understand why. New York is thought by most people to have one of the best skylines in the world, so why would fans be so scared of acknowledging other cities and making comparisons? It's not like such discussions are going to convince people that NYC somehow sucks in comparison to other cities.

It's the competetive nature that makes New York City #1 in many catagories. Maybe that is what is comming off in these threads. In reality, New Yorkers love to talk about outside cities and cultures and host people from every part of the world.......it's evident when you are there. End of discussion.

[44p]

I've noticed on the webcam that they've been digging a hole where tower 3 is going to be

[mclancer]

New York is one of the most multicultual cities in the world.
It even comes very close to Toronto Canada.
(Way more than 50% of Torontoians are considered minorities)