William H. Goldstein appointed to oversee construction of WTC Memorial and related facilities

William H. Goldstein, current head of the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), has been appointed to oversee construction of the World Trade Center Memorial, Memorial Museum, and related facilities, the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation announced Tuesday.

Goldstein brings significant experience managing capital projects and large infrastructure programs, as well as a personal connection to the World Trade Center site. In the aftermath of the 1993 WTC bombing, Goldstein managed capital programs for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, playing a major role in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center as part of overall oversight of the Port Authority's multi-billion-dollar capital program.

More recently, he has served as president and CEO of the SCA, where he is credited with consolidating and streamlining the school construction process throughout the New York City Department of Education in ways that have reduced the cost of new school construction by nearly 30 percent. 

"Known for his ability to manage projects with speed, efficiency, and accountability, we're lucky to have such a star on our team," Gretchen Dykstra, president and CEO of the Memorial Foundation, said in a statement. The foundation issued a request for proposals for a construction manager for the memorial and museum in December, and construction is slated to start in spring 2006.

Others involved in the Lower Manhattan rebuilding effort also point to Goldstein's proven track record. "He delivers projects and programs effectively and efficiently on time and on budget -- most notably as part of the collective effort of the teams he is so effective in building," Charles Maikish, executive director of the Lower Manhattan Command Center, said in a statement.

Stefan Pryor, LMDC president, concurred, stating: "As we prepare for a spring groundbreaking for the memorial, I am glad that someone of Bill Goldstein's caliber has agreed to join our efforts."

For his part, Goldstein is approaching his new post with both enthusiasm and respectful reserve. "The opportunity to now take the lead role in the construction on the memorial is an endeavor that I take on with great zeal as well as solemnity," he said in a statement. He is scheduled to start later this winter.