January 2008
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) says that escalating construction costs are forcing the agency to scale back plans for the $750 million Fulton Street Transit Center. While most of the Transit Center designs will continue as originally planned, the main building will likely be simplified, with the entire complex opening in late 2010.

February 2008
The Port Authority begins turning over the southern portion of the east bathtub to developer Silverstein Properties, allowing foundation work for WTC Towers 3 and 4 to commence. Meanwhile, the Port continues massive excavation at the north end of the east bathtub where Tower 2 will rise.

March 2008
The long-awaited decontamination plan for Fiterman Hall is approved by regulators, with crews immediately beginning cleaning and abatement work.

April 2008
Pope Benedict XVI visits the WTC site on April 20th.

May 2008
The 43-story Goldman Sachs headquarters in Battery Park City (200 West Street) tops out.

July 2008
The Port Authority tells CB1 that the new, 32,000-square-foot World Financial Center Terminal in Battery Park City (BPC) is on track for a late September opening, expanding BPC ferry access to five slips.

Crews begin installing the first of approximately 60 steel arches that frame the WTC Transportation Hub’s “east-west connector,” which abuts the southern wall of the Freedom Tower.

August 2008
The city launches the capital reconstruction of Liberty Street, with crews starting in the roadway between Nassau and William Streets and continuing eastward to Water Street. The project includes reconstruction of Pearl Street from Fulton to John; Maiden Lane from William to Water; and Louise Nevelson Plaza at William and Liberty Streets.

September 2008
Installation of steel begins at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the WTC in early September 2008.

Construction Begins on CaVaLa Park
On September 18, 2008 the state and city broke ceremonial ground on downtown’s newest park. Named for Canal, Varick, and Laight, the streets that surround it, CaVaLa Park is the latest in the series of new green spaces funded in part by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation’s (LMDC) $20 million Open Spaces II grant program.

The $3.3 million triangular park brings a half acre of lawns, ornamental plantings, benches, decorative pavements, and perimeter trees to north Tribeca. At its center will be artist Elyn Zimmerman’s large sculptural water feature, which was inspired by the canal that ran nearby in the early 1800s.

Pile Driving Starts for New BPC School
Construction of the new kindergarten through eighth-grade school is ramping up at 55 Battery Place, with pile driving taking place late September early October. Pile installation is part of the overall foundation work at the site that continues through early December 2008.

October 2008

Year-Long Holland Tunnel Repaving Project Begins
The Port Authority launched a $5.5 million capital project to repave the Holland Tunnel this weekend. Starting the weekend of October 4th, crews will mill and pave both the north and south tunnels (including the approach ramps), rebuild curbs, and replace five cross drains.

Port Authority Shares New WTC Rebuilding Road Map
Driven by the Governor David Paterson’s mandate for accountability and honesty, the Port Authority released its highly anticipated World Trade Center (WTC) rebuilding report last week. “A Roadmap Forward” outlines new dates and revised budgets for each of its projects on the 16-acre site, including design changes made to help expedite its nearly $7 billion redevelopment program.

Executive Director Chris Ward reviewed the report with Community Board 1’s WTC Redevelopment Committee on October 6th. He explained that while completion dates for each Port Authority project have slipped, the new timetables are as accurate as possible and account for the extensive infrastructure work that literally forms the foundation of the entire site.

November 2008

Liberty Closed Saturday for Sculpture Removal
City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) crews removed three of the four sculptures at Louise Nevelson Plaza in November. The triangular plaza, located at William and Liberty, is now fenced in for excavation and utility work under the Liberty Street Reconstruction contract. The large sculpture on the west side will remain on site, but enclosed during construction. DDC crews are also at work on Liberty Street west of William, and on Pearl Street north of John.

Harrison Street Reconstruction Project Begins
Several Tribeca streets are slated for capital reconstruction that will improve and update local infrastructure. The city Department of Design and Construction (DDC) began the Harrison Street Reconstruction project in early November 2008, starting with excavation on the north side of Leonard Street between West Broadway and Hudson Street. The project includes utility upgrades including water and sewer mains, catch basins, and electric, cable, and telecommunications. Curbs, sidewalks, and roadway restoration will also be done, including repaving with original cobblestones on historic streets. Under the contract (No. HWMWTCA7A), Greenwich from Hubert to Canal Streets, and Harrison from Hudson to West Street also will be reconstructed starting in 2009. The entire project is expected to conclude in spring 2010.

December 2008