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N.Y. Begins Construction of Freedom Tower

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By AMY WESTFELDT, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - A 20-ton slab of granite, inscribed to honor "the enduring spirit of freedom," was laid Sunday at the World Trade Center site as the cornerstone of the skyscraper that will replace the destroyed towers.


AP Photo

L.A. Hosts 9-11 Exhibit, As NYC Set for Freedom Tower Stone
(AP Video)



The ceremony marked the start of construction on the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, designed as a twisting glass and steel tower that evokes the Statue of Liberty, including a 276-foot spire resembling her torch.


Gov. George E. Pataki said he chose July 4 to begin rebuilding to show that the terrorists who attacked New York on Sept. 11, 2001, didn't destroy America's faith in freedom.


"How badly our enemies underestimated the resiliency of this city and the resolve of these United States," Pataki said. "In less than three years, we have more than just plans on paper — we place here today the cornerstone, the foundation of a new tower."


The cornerstone put in place Sunday is garnet-flecked granite from the Adirondack Mountains. Garnet is the New York state gemstone.


It is inscribed: "To honor and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and as a tribute to the enduring spirit of freedom. — July Fourth, 2004."


Among the several hundred people at the ceremony were relatives of some of the people killed in the terrorist attack.


"It's a new beginning," said John Foy, whose mother-in-law was killed. "We all need to move on and rise above this."


Completion of the Freedom Tower is scheduled for 2009, and trade center leaseholder Larry Silverstein has plans to build four more towers between 2009 and 2015.


Also planned for the site are a rail hub, a memorial that transforms the twin towers' footprints into reflecting pools, and cultural space including several small theaters.


The Freedom Tower is set to rise in a corner of the site that still holds the ruins of a parking garage. At 1,776 feet, a height meant to evoke the year of America's independence, it will be the tallest skyscraper in the world, organizers say.


The current tallest building is the 1,676-foot-tall Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan, which includes a mall, office space and an observatory. It was completed in October with the installation of a pinnacle atop the 101-story building.


The Taipei building is about 165 feet taller than the world's former highest office building, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The highest freestanding tower remains the CN Tower, a 1,815-foot communications structure and outlook point in Toronto.


The 110-story World Trade Center towers were 1,350 feet tall.


Critics have questioned whether all five towers of the Trade Center complex will be built, especially after a jury verdict this year cut the insurance proceeds Silverstein is seeking to pay for the development from a possible $7 billion to a maximum of $4.5 billion.


Silverstein still hasn't signed an anchor tenant for the Freedom Tower, but said he has more than enough money to complete it with insurance proceeds. He has said he will use "traditional financing methods" to pay for the rest of the development.


Personally.. I think Ground Zero is sacred now and should be left alone

Cool.

Cool depending on what your view is lol

I do think it is sacred ground but I also think that the people who died during the 9/11 attack would want us to rebuild bigger just to let them know you can beat us down we are americans.
But personally I am not sure I would want an office in a building that high just because you know you are taking a risk.

Most of that 1,776 height would be taken up by the "radio mast" tower spire; the four or five buildings will not be anywhere near the height of the original WTC.

I think this set of buildings, tower and memorial pools will serve both purposes admirably in years to come.

and when it's all done, they can ride ol' boy saddam up to the observation deck...

and throw him off.

Thunder~n~Lightning wrote:I do think it is sacred ground but I also think that the people who died during the 9/11 attack would want us to rebuild bigger just to let them know you can beat us down we are americans.
But personally I am not sure I would want an office in a building that high just because you know you are taking a risk.

Thunder...... I agree with you! Having an office building as high as the WTC's used to be would make me nervous too. If you'll recall, many disabled people were employed in the Trade Towers. One man is blind and his guide dog got him down 80+ floors to safety. I don't know how he managed to get out but reading his story, one of many, was heart warming. But then you have to ask why was he working so high up? Or anyone? I remember another man was confined to a wheelchair and couldn't get out. Another employee who was able to leave, chose to stay with him, both hoping help would come. So sad. I am pleased to see the radio tower would take up a lot of the height. And finally, I also believe 9/11 victims would want us to rebuild, remembering what we lost that day not only at the TWC's but in DC and those on the planes. And also to honor the firemen/policemen who willingly went in and up to rescue people, getting trapped themselves.

Mary

At first I thought they shouldleavethe site alone. I believe now that we must rebuild and show those cowards that they can knock us down but we will always get up again. Literally!!! I agree that those lost on that fateful day would want the building built!!