http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4228 The Chief Executive for JP Morgan Chase said that moving its headquarters to their recently acquired Bear Sterns building in midtown would save the company about $3 billion because it would no longer need to construct a building in lower Manhattan at the World Trade Center site. A spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey claims that the Lower Manhattan project is still on. 2008-05-15 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4220 In an effort to keep Goldman Sachs in Lower Manhattan after September 11th 2001, the City provided the banking firm significant incentives as well as $320 million in penalties if infrastructure, transit, and security plans were not in place for the area surrounding the former World Trade Center site by 2010. The city is now trying to work out a deal to avoid paying some of those fines, considering the delays the project has faced thus far. The deal given to Goldman Sachs has been criticized by many who see it as a major giveaway to a company that is not in need. Goldman Sachs contends that they wanted this clause in their agreement with the City so that the area did not become a perpetual construction site. 2008-05-13 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4199 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to reduce the size of the centerpiece structure above the train station at the World Trade Center site. The Port Authority would like to keep the planned “winged” concept, but revisions to original design and building material will be made to keep the project in the $2.5 billion budget. 2008-05-08 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4202 The southern section of the No. 1 train tunnel that cuts through the World Trade Center site has been cleared of soil in order to construct an underpass connecting the eastern and western sides of the site. The underpass is being built under a network of steel beams on which the subway now rests. Eventually the entire area under the subway from Vessey Street to Liberty Street will be cleared and will be part of the underground, multilevel structure that will include shops, parking, and a PATH terminal. 2008-05-08 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4169 The Department of Buildings has removed a “stop-work order” on the former Deutsche Bank building in Lower Manhattan because a new fire control system has been installed. Asbestos clearance will resume and will take place six-days a week. Once all the hazardous materials have been removed, demolition work will be resumed. 2008-04-30 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4128 As Governor Paterson is expected to appoint a new Executive Director for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, many are speculating how funding could be shifted away from the redesign of the PATH station at the former World Trade Center site to fill the funding gap needed to proceed with the Moynihan Station project. While this shift of money faces many political hurdles because it is from the federal government, some have said that it would be better utilized if allocated to the renovation of Pennsylvania Station since it has serves many more people daily. Governor Paterson has already offered his support to the Port Authority taking a lead role in the Moynihan Station plans. 2008-04-22 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4131 The Skyscraper Safety Campaign, a group made up of families of first responders and victims of September 11th, are urging the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to step up its security at the World Trade Center site after reports emerged last week that security plans were found in a public trash can. The group is also calling for more publicly documented inspections by the Fire Department. 2008-04-21 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4112 Community Board members were updated on redevelopment progress at the World Trade Center by the Port Authority. Officials noted that the R/W Cortlandt Street subway station will reopen this fall after being closed since 2005, light sequencing is being done by the Department of Transportation to ease sidewalk congestion near the Vesey Street entrance to the PATH train, and nearby residents should expect to see steel going up on the Freedom Tower soon. 2008-04-19 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4110 A homeless man found outdated security plans for the Freedom Tower in a public trash can in SoHo. The plans detailed the locations of floor layouts, elevator shafts, air ducts and electrical wiring as well as the location of columns for support and the thickness of concrete walls. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has vowed to take severe actions to whoever created this security breach. The Port Authority also said that the plans were not very detailed and are provided to any contractor that is bidding on a project at the site. 2008-04-18 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4101 The ground transit hub planned for Ground Zero is facing major delays and budget problems. The station, which includes a canopy designed to look like a dove taking flight, was scheduled to open in 2006, and is now not likely to open until 2013. The project is expected to be nearly $1 billion over budget, according to a federal consultant’s report. The delays in the transportation hub could cause delays in the construction of Tower 2 and Tower 3, because of shared underground infrastructure. 2008-04-16 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4107 Tests showed that one of the batches of concrete in the Freedom Tower site foundation would not be strong enough to hold the developer’s goal of 14,000 pounds per square inch. Although the concrete passed strength tests when it was initially poured in December, recent tests showed that it would not withstand the necessary weight. Workers on the site spent the last several weeks removing the approximately 50 cubic yards of bad concrete from the foundation. A spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said that the setback will not affect the construction schedule for the tower. The rest of the concrete foundation has passed the strength tests. 2008-04-16 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4076 The large aluminum and fabric tent that has covered the Church Street stairs leading to the PATH train on the former World Trade Center site is being removed so construction can continue on the permanent structure. PATH operations will be relocated to Vesey Street until 2011 when the new structure is expected to be completed. The tent, costing only $275,000, has been in place since June 2007. 2008-04-11 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4071 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that it plans to recreate the observation deck that once topped the World Trade Center. The Authority hopes to hire a developer to manage the design, construction, and upkeep of the deck. The indoor space will be on the 102nd floor of the Freedom Tower and will offer views that may stretch out 50 miles. The total cost of the project is estimated at $610 million and will receive both state and federal money in addition to privately raised donations. The Port Authority anticipates selecting a developer for the project by June of next year and opening the deck to the public in 2012. It was also announced that the September 11 Memorial & Museum had reached its fundraising goal of $350 million. 2008-04-10 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4073 Avi Schick, the chief executive of the Empire State Development Corporation and chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, has suggested a new plan for the location of the performing arts center intended for the World Trade Center site. Schick has recommended that the center be constructed on top of the Fulton Street subway station, suggesting that the change would cut costs and time. Schick’s proposal would be a departure from the previous plan to have retail above the station. The City’s cultural affairs commissioner, Kate Levin, has told the State that they will review the plans and respond within 30 days. Opponents of Schick’s plan worry that changing the plans may cause further delays in development of the transit center. There are also concerns about the noise and vibrations from the transit center disrupting performances. 2008-04-10 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=40#4070 At a speech before the Association for a Better New York, Governor Paterson said that New York needs to “revisit the issue at Ground Zero,” mentioning concerns about delays in constructions. He noted that estimates for the completion of the redevelopment may be off by two or three years. It is unclear exactly what the Governor means by “revisit” considering a great deal of construction has already begun. 2008-04-08 00:00:00