September 8th - September 14th, 2006

One More Step Before Green Light for WTC Site

Friday, September 8^th: While the designs for Towers 2, 3, and 4 have been revealed by architects Lord Norman Foster, Lord Richard Rogers, and Fumihiko Maki respectively, one more step in the process to begin construction has been delayed, the New York Times reported. The Pataki administration had hoped that in addition to unveiling the new tower designs, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey would formally approve the World Trade Center site's master plan, the Times continued.

Both the Port Authority and developer Larry Silverstein say that progress is being made, the Times continued. "There are still some outstanding issues. I believe they'll be worked out," Charles Gargano, vice chairman of the Port Authority, told the Times. "It'll take fairness on both sides. If Silverstein Properties negotiates in good faith, it can be done," he continued.

Janno Lieber, who oversees the project for Silverstein, told the Times, "Tremendous progress has been made in discussions between the Port Authority and Silverstein. We fully expect the deal to be finalized as scheduled in the very near future." According to the Times, both sides say that the deal will be complete in time for the Port Authority's September 21^st board meeting.

Lower Manhattan Pauses to Commemorate 9/11

Monday, September 11th: As the sun rose on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the bright sky and brisk air over Lower Manhattan conjured memories of that September morning that altered the course of history. For more on this story, please click here.

New Bill to Reopen 9/11 Compensation Fund

Wednesday, September 13^th: Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer introduced a bill to the Senate to reopen the 9/11 compensation fund to Ground Zero workers who were exposed to toxins or are suffering long-term health effects but who missed the fund's original deadline or fell outside the original eligibility requirements, Newsday reported. The bill is dedicated to the late New York Police Department Detective James Zadroga, whose death was attributed to his service at Ground Zero, Newsday continued.

The bill proposes giving people who worked or lived near Ground Zero during the recovery effort the opportunity to file claims, expanding upon the original fund guidelines, which only permitted claims from those who arrived within the first 96 hours after September 11^th, the paper reported. The bill also proposes waiving the original deadline for applicants, December 22, 2003, to help the recently reported 30,000 additional workers suffering from log-term ailments, the paper continued. The compensation fund distributed $6.9 billion to the families of nearly 3,000 people killed on September 11^th and an additional 2,500 who suffered injuries before it was shut down in 2004, Newsday added.

No Bid Accepted for Governors Island

Thursday, September 14^th: An initiative to develop Governor's Island has returned to the drawing board because none of the respondents to a February request for proposals provided enough information about how their plans would be financed, the New York Post reported. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) accepted 25 bids in May, with proposed uses for the island ranging from a theme park to a "university village," the Post continued. The GIPEC is tossing the bids, however, because for any of the proposals to work, the government would have to come up with significant funding for transportation infrastructure enhancements and the upkeep of old buildings.