Leftover Metrocard Change Infuriates Some
UPDATE: City To Remove 14 Blocks Of Bike Lanes On Bedford Ave.
Hamster Rides The 4 Train
Bouncer Beatdown at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club
2nd Avenue Subway Cooling System Will "Blight" UES
A little Ground Zero drama: World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein has reportedly asked the Port Authority for financial assistance. According to the Wall Street Journal, Silverstein wants money for "at least two of the three towers" while the Port Autority, which might be willing to "finance at least one...would require concessions from Mr. Silverstein, including possibly giving up some of upside profits should the towers succeed in the long term."
A reason why the Port Authority may be willing to assume more financial risk is to avoid any further delays at the site. Timelines have shifted since rebuilding began (funny 2006 article about buildings being completed by 2011), what with political infighting, three governors and more complicated building conditions). Last fall, the Port Authority gave "probabilistic" timelines of the memorial being completed by 2011, the museum by 2013 and Freedom Tower by 2012 with Mayor Bloomberg asked for control of overseeing the re-building. In spite of the lack of buildings, progress has been made on Freedom Tower, the Memorial, and Tower 4, though much of it is in the pit. Some pictures from this month are above.
Silverstein has faced trouble raising money ($7 billion!) to build the office, what with the economic crisis. The WSJ notes that both Silverstein and the PA have leverage to (in Silverstein's case) stall the project or (in the PA's case) attempt to remove Silverstein from the project. The Port Aurthority told the Journal, "We are continuing to discuss with Silverstein Properties how to best meet a changed market while ensuring the World Trade Center site is rebuilt in the best public interest."
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If Donald Trump was building the Freedom Tower, it would have been finished 5 years ago.
And it would be called the World Trump Center. And filing for bankruptcy.
Or "Ultimate Trump Super World Center", with gold toilet tank float lifts and concierge garbage chutes. And it wouldn't be a bankruptcy, it would be a "successful and remarkably popular financial disengagement".
At least it would be built in our lifetime!
As for calling it the World Trump Center, never. Not even Trump is that egotistical. What I am trying to say is that Silverstein has idled this project from day one with his endless litigation and with the economy the way it is right now, this won't get done until 2020 or 2030. It's a moot point as Silverstein owns the property but I just wish we had an owner who knew how to get this job done in an expeditious manner. This is taking too long and is insulting my patience. Silverstein should be ashamed for these delays.
Trump would get it done quickly.
As for the Bankruptcy, which one? He always comes back stronger the next time.
Remember Trump's plan that would've echoed the old Twin Towers?
Whilst I like the current design of the Freedom Tower over the initial one they had, if Trump's would've been finished by now (or close to) if they'd gone with it then they should've chosen World Trade Center II as the winning design.
jesus, just fill it with concrete plop some stupid memorial on top and we can all stop fucking whining about the world trade hole.