March 22nd - March 26th, 2010

Federal Judge Rejects 9-11 Settlement

March 22 - U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled that the $657 million settlement was ‘not enough’ and he sent both sides back to the drawing board, according to DNAINFO.com. The judge added the method of payment is confusing; he also voiced concerns that too much of the settlement was going to lawyers, rather than the victims. Many of the plantiffs said they appreciated the judge’s ruling, but the head of WTC Captive Insurance, Christine LaSala, said, ‘The judge has made this more difficult, if not impossible, to obtain fair, timely and just compensation.”

Bovis Adds an Extra Shift at 130 Liberty Street

March 22 – Bovis is now working 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays to bring the building down. The workday used to end at 5 pm, but The Downtown Express reports, the extra shift was added in an effort to meet the goal to have the building demolished by the end of the year.

Tribute WTC Center Worker Arrested

March 22 –  25 year old Emanuel Reyes is accused of taking $40,500 from the center at 120 Liberty Street, where he worked as a cashier. According to The New York Post, the stolen money came from donations people made to the Center. Police installed surveillance cameras to catch Reyes.

140 Broadway Remains Closed

March 23 – Crews continue to work on restoring power to the 51 story skyscraper, after it was hit by an electrical fire 10 days ago. The Battery Park City Broadsheet Daily reports tenants are working off site and may not be able to return to the building for another week. The fire broke out during the storm that hit the East Coast on March 13^th. A Con Ed vault flooded, causing a minor explosion and fire which destroyed the building’s main electrical feeds.

Crane Inspector Admitted Taking Bribes

March 24 – 61 year old James Delayo faces up to six years in prison, after pleading guilty to bribery charges. The New York Times reports he took $10,000 in bribes to falsely certify crane inspections and issue operating licenses to people who had not completed examinations.   

City Hall to Undergo Renovation

March 25 – The East wing of the historic building will be getting a year-long facelift to update its mechanical systems and reinforce the trusses holding up the roof. The City Council will have to be relocated to either 250 Broadway or 52 Chambers Street for its hearing. The last time the building was renovated was in the late 1950’s, according to WNBC TV.