P.A is Set to Build 9/11 Memorial
Agency will have no role in design, will kick in $50 million more
Thursday, July 06, 2006
BY RON MARSICOStar-Ledger Staff
Port Authority officials are expected to hold a rare special session this morning to approve plans to have the bistate agency build the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero.
Such a decision has been expected since last month, when Port Authority Chairman Anthony Coscia said he was willing to have the agency take over construction of the controversial project, provided it was not responsible for design plans or cost overruns.
But the deal that is likely to be approved by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's board of directors will add to the bottom line: The agency plans to add $50 million to the $100 million it already has committed for infrastructure to support the memorial, according to an agency official. The official spoke only on condition of anonymity because the agenda for the 9:15 a.m. special session at Port Authority headquarters in Manhattan was not publicly disclosed.
Additionally, the Port Authority will agree to kick in another $45 million if necessary to meet cost overruns, with the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. offering a similar amount, the official said.
"We're not playing any role in the design or operation," the official said. "We're being asked to build it, and we're going to go out and build it."
The Port Authority's involvement follows widespread concerns over the costs of the memorial, which had soared to nearly $1 billion in estimates this spring. New York Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Jon Corzine demanded the costs be kept to $500 million.
Architect Michael Arad won an international competition to design the tribute to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Feb. 26, 1993, and Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. His plan, "Reflecting Absence," calls for two reflecting pools to symbolize the voids where the Twin Towers once stood, with waterfalls and a random arrangement of the names of the victims. Plans for a museum and underground galleries were scaled back to help reduce costs, and a proposed entry pavilion was eliminated.
The Port Authority already is building a permanent PATH station at the site and also has agreed to construct the proposed 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, although that project's future remains uncertain because of cost and security concerns.
The Port Authority move also is expected to help restart fundraising efforts by the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation to help finance the tribute. The fundraising efforts were put on hold amid controversy over the memorial's cost, which had soared as high as $672 million, plus another $301 million for infrastructure.
Last month, builder Frank Sciame outlined his plans to reduce costs to $510 million for the memorial, with the infrastructure price tag reduced to $178 million.
Ron Marsico covers the Port Authority. He may be reached at rmarsico@starledger.com or (973) 392-7860.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
BY RON MARSICOStar-Ledger Staff
Port Authority officials are expected to hold a rare special session this morning to approve plans to have the bistate agency build the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero.
Such a decision has been expected since last month, when Port Authority Chairman Anthony Coscia said he was willing to have the agency take over construction of the controversial project, provided it was not responsible for design plans or cost overruns.
But the deal that is likely to be approved by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's board of directors will add to the bottom line: The agency plans to add $50 million to the $100 million it already has committed for infrastructure to support the memorial, according to an agency official. The official spoke only on condition of anonymity because the agenda for the 9:15 a.m. special session at Port Authority headquarters in Manhattan was not publicly disclosed.
Additionally, the Port Authority will agree to kick in another $45 million if necessary to meet cost overruns, with the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. offering a similar amount, the official said.
"We're not playing any role in the design or operation," the official said. "We're being asked to build it, and we're going to go out and build it."
The Port Authority's involvement follows widespread concerns over the costs of the memorial, which had soared to nearly $1 billion in estimates this spring. New York Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Jon Corzine demanded the costs be kept to $500 million.
Architect Michael Arad won an international competition to design the tribute to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Feb. 26, 1993, and Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. His plan, "Reflecting Absence," calls for two reflecting pools to symbolize the voids where the Twin Towers once stood, with waterfalls and a random arrangement of the names of the victims. Plans for a museum and underground galleries were scaled back to help reduce costs, and a proposed entry pavilion was eliminated.
The Port Authority already is building a permanent PATH station at the site and also has agreed to construct the proposed 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, although that project's future remains uncertain because of cost and security concerns.
The Port Authority move also is expected to help restart fundraising efforts by the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation to help finance the tribute. The fundraising efforts were put on hold amid controversy over the memorial's cost, which had soared as high as $672 million, plus another $301 million for infrastructure.
Last month, builder Frank Sciame outlined his plans to reduce costs to $510 million for the memorial, with the infrastructure price tag reduced to $178 million.
Ron Marsico covers the Port Authority. He may be reached at rmarsico@starledger.com or (973) 392-7860.
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