October 31st - November 4th, 2011

Occupy Wall Street May Be Deterring Domestic Visitors

Nov 1 - A survey of registered voters by Atlanta-based Poll Position suggests Occupy Wall Street could hurt the citys tourism because 42 percent said the protests make them less inclined to visit, reports Crains New York Business. The poll gauged reaction to the 99 percenters, whose base in Zuccotti Park has become a destination for tourists visiting Ground Zero next door. But the poll did not survey 20 percent of the citys international travelers, who account for half of New Yorks $31 billion in tourism spending last year.

Dispute Continues Over 9/11 Remains Repository

Nov 2 - The dispute over the emotional issue of what to do with unidentified human remains from the terror attack continues to fester for families of victims, reports Newsday. The latest flare-up came after the city and officials for the museum, which is slated to open on Sept. 11, 2012, sent out a letter to families telling them of specific plans to house remains in a private area some 70 feet underground in the museum complex. The city's office of the chief medical examiner plans to keep the remains in a special safeguarded repository located between the two footprints of the Twin Towers. Some families think an above-ground repository outside the museum should be considered.

Flight 93 Families Seek Money for 9/11 Memorial

Nov 2 - Families of those who died aboard United Airlines Flight 93 are asking lawmakers and Obama administration officials to set aside federal money to complete a 9/11 memorial at the crash site in Pennsylvania, reports CBSnews.com. The dedication of the first phase of the $62 million Flight 93 National Memorial was held in September. The memorial will honor the 40 passengers and crew members who died when the airliner crashed in a field near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001. Public and private donors have contributed $52 million, but officials say an additional $10 million more is needed to complete the project.

1 World Trade Glass Pedestal Design Set

Nov 4 - The architect of 1 World Trade Center has finally devised a way to clad the concrete base of the tower in shimmery glass, according to Crains New York Business. The breakthrough comes after technical problems forced designers to abandon an earlier glass-sheathing plan last spring. Architect David Childs had wanted to encase the 185-foot-tall base in prismatic glass panels to disguise the thick, windowless fortified concrete that is one of the tower's signature safety elements. However, the panels of prismatic glass, which were designed to reflect light, were not only difficult to make: As it turned out, they also shattered easily. Now, sources said the base will be covered with glass louvers that are set at different angles on the base and lit from behind, creating an inviting atmosphere that would also reflect the nearby memorial honoring the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. The glass is treated so it would pebble instead of shatter in case of an explosion, much like a car windshield does in a severe accident.