February 6th - February 12th, 2004

WTC Site May Join National Register of Historic Places

Friday, Feb. 6:  The World Trade Center site may join the nearly 82,000 places currently listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places, according to The New York Times.

In an effort to preserve the historic significance of the WTC site during the redevelopment process, the LMDC, Federal Transit Administration, and Federal Highway Administration issued a determination today asserting that the events that took place at the WTC site were of great enough significance to merit its inclusion in the official registry. While it's not customary for locations less than 50 years old to earn the coveted status, sites of "exceptional importance," such as the WTC, can sometimes qualify for the registry.

The initial review of the site, required because federal money is being used for various rebuilding activities on or near the site, evaluated the impact of reconstruction on historic areas.  Participants in the review process, including "government agencies, preservationists, planners, builders, neighbors, and the relatives of those who died" on 9/11, will have 30 days to comment on the determination, added the Times.

Port Authority Proposes New Ferry Service to Airports

Friday, Feb. 6:   A new plan devised by the Port Authority may provide high-speed ferry service between Lower Manhattan and Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, according to the New YorkPost.

The new ferry service, which may begin as early as this year, is part of the Port Authority's continued commitment to develop transportation throughout Lower Manhattan. Although official plans and negotiations are still underway, ferry service downtown would depart from Wall Street/Pier 11, the Post reported.

Silverstein-WTC Insurance Trial Begins

Monday, Feb. 9: Opening statements began in the trial between Larry Silverstein and the four insurance companies contracted to provide coverage for the World Trade Center towers. 

Silverstein, who holds the lease on the WTC, has argued that that the 9/11 attacks were two separate incidents -- a contention that, if confirmed, would allow him to collect two payments of $3.55 billion each. Insurance companies Swiss Reinsurance Co., Lloyds of London, Royal Indemnity Co., and Federal Insurance Co. continue to maintain that the attack was a single incident and, therefore, argue for one payment of $3.55 billion.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the first phase of the trial will last approximately eight weeks and will ultimately decide if Silverstein will be eligible to collect for two separate "occurrences."

Officials Narrow List of Potential Cultural Organizations for Rebuilt WTC

Tuesday, Feb. 10:  Officials narrowed the list of organizations that will be considered to fill cultural facilities at the rebuilt World Trade Center from more than 100 applicants to 15 finalists. The LMDC, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and New York State Council on the Arts are expected to announce the winners in April. For complete coverage, click here.

Committee Created to Find Leader of World Trade Center Site Memorial Foundation

Tuesday, Feb. 10: Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the creation of a nine-member committee tasked with selecting someone to lead the World Trade Center Site Memorial Foundation.

Created in July 2003, the World Trade Center Site Memorial Foundation is responsible for overseeing fundraising efforts for the WTC memorial and will also facilitate the creation of an interpretive museum and cultural center at the WTC site. Since its conception, the foundation has not selected a chairman or chairwoman.

"The chair of the World Trade Center Site Memorial Foundation will be entrusted with perhaps the most significant civic responsibility of our time -- ensuring that this powerful expression of remembrance and perseverance is realized," said Pataki.

Members of the newly appointed committee who will work to fill the position include John Whitehead, chairman of the LMDC; Richard Parsons, Time Warner Inc. chief executive; former U.S. Senator George Mitchell; Ira Millstein, senior partner of Weil, Gotshal, and Manges; Marshall Rose, chariman of the Georgetown Group; Walter Shipley, former head of Chase Manhattan Corp.; Preston Robert Tisch, co-chair of Loews Corp.; and Paula Grant Berry and Monika Iken, victims' family members.

According to the Times, the committee is scheduled to select a final candidate in the next three weeks.