September 2nd - September 8th, 2005

Officials Announce Start of WTC Transportation Hub

Tuesday, September 6: Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and other city, state, and federal officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub. When completed in 2009, the hub will connect PATH trains, all downtown subways, and ferries at a cost of $2.2 billion. For complete coverage, click here.

Freedom Center Appoints 9/11 Family Advisory Committee

Wednesday, September 7: Responding to recent controversy surrounding its programs, the International Freedom Center planned for Ground Zero named a seven-member family advisory group to oversee the center's permanent exhibit on the 9/11 attacks, the Daily News reported.

The panel, which includes four 9/11 widows and the father of another victim, is to be headed by Freedom Center Vice Chairwoman Paula Grant Berry, who lost her husband on 9/11, and Thomas Roger, father of flight attendant Jean Roger, who already was working on the museum, the paper explained.

The International Freedom Center, which has undergone strong criticisms that its exhibits detract from commemorating the events and victims of the 9/11 attacks, has until September 23 to submit a detailed plan of its programs to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation for approval.

WTC Memorial Foundation Launches New Website

Wednesday, September 7: The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation launched a new website, www.buildthememorial.org, to serve as part of its national grassroots campaign to raise at least $200 million from private citizens to help build the World Trade Center Memorial and Museum.

In addition to providing information about how to make donations, the new website also gives visitors an opportunity to share stories and photographs with others, visit a 9/11 gallery, keep up with the memorial building progress, and view the latest images of the memorial.

"Inside the Actors Studio" Moving to Pace

Wednesday, September 7: After nearly 11 years at the New School University's Actors Studio Drama School, Bravo's popular television series, "Inside the Actors Studio," will relocate to Pace University's downtown campus, Crain's New York Business reported.

Hosted by James Lipton, the series will begin its 12th season this fall at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts before an audience of Pace theater majors. School officials anticipate that Pace's performing arts program, which is already among its fastest-growing programs, will likely expand as a result, Crain's said.

Apartments for Sale at Calatrava's 80 South Street Complex

Thursday, September 8: Ten luxury apartments at architect Santiago Calatrava's soon-to-be-built 80 South Street complex went on sale this week, the New York Post reported.

The four-story townhouses contain an estimated 10,000 square feet of living space and come with price tags ranging from $29 million to $50 million. Calatrava, who also designed the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, plans for each unit to include double-height ceilings, a four-to-six room option with six bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and a private interior elevator. The building's amenities also feature private gardens, doormen, special security, and concierge services, the paper explained.

Construction on the state-of-the-art residential complex is scheduled to begin in March 2006, the Post added.

New Poll Reveals Emotional Impact of 9/11 Attack on Americans and Importance of WTC Memorial

Thursday, September 8: The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation released the results of a new national poll, revealing that 76 percent of Americans are still emotionally affected by the September 11, 2001, attacks. Eight out of ten people (81 percent) also said they believe that the World Trade Center Memorial and Memorial Museum will not only help honor the memory of victims, but also help to heal the enduring pain still felt by many Americans.

"We conducted this survey in order to better understand how September 11th continues to impact Americans and how they view the Memorial and the Memorial Museum to be built at the World Trade Center site," WTC Memorial President and CEO Gretchen Dykstra said in a statement. "We believe this poll shows that the American people care deeply about honoring 9/11 and will help us to build the Memorial."

According to the survey, 87 percent of those polled believe that 9/11 was the most significant historical event in their lifetime and has changed the way of life in America. Additionally, more than 60 percent of respondents said they were likely to visit the WTC Memorial and Museum within the first five years that they are open.

The poll, which is the first comprehensive national one of its kind, was conducted by Zogby International in collaboration with the WTC Memorial Foundation. Interviews of 1,201 randomly selected Americans were conducted nationwide between August 17 and August 20, 2005.

For complete results or to participate in the WTC Memorial Foundation's survey on 9/11 and the Memorial, click here.

Deconstruction Begins at 130 Liberty Street

Thursday, September 8: After years of insurance litigation, public hearings, environmental testing, and extensive coordination with regulatory agencies, the building at 130 Liberty Street that was severely damaged by debris from the twin towers is finally coming down, officials announced. Once demolished, the vacant land parcel will then be incorporated into the new World Trade Center development. For the full story, click here.