September 29th - October 5th, 2006

LMCCC Town Hall Builds Bridge to Community

Friday, September 29^th: On Thursday, September 28th, the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center (LMCCC) hosted the first in a series of town hall meetings designed to introduce its staff and work to downtown residents and workers. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions of LMCCC directors. The event took place at the Saval Auditorium at St. Johns University, two blocks north of the World Trade Center site. For more on the meeting, please click here.

New Ferry Service to Lower Manhattan from Yonkers

Friday, September 29^th: New York Water Taxi will begin a new route between Yonkers and Lower Manhattan starting in May, 2007, the New York Times reported. The only ferry between Westchester County and Manhattan, riders will arrive in Battery Park City after an estimated 45 minute ride, the Times continued. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey awarded the $4.2 million, two-year contract to New York Water Taxi this year, the Times added.

Freedom Tower Steel Arrives from Luxembourg

Saturday, September 30^th: More than 800 tons of steel columns, some as tall as a five-story building, arrived in Baltimore this week from a steel mill in Differdange, Luxembourg, the New York Post reported. The columns are heading to Lynchburg, Virginia to be turned into 27 "built-up supersize" columns that will be part of the Freedom Tower's sub-grade foundation. They are due to arrive at Ground Zero by the end of this year, the Post added.

Design Changes to WTC Museum Proposed

Wednesday, October 4^th: Architect Max Bond and World Trade Center Museum planners recently outlined proposed design changes that would offer a better view of the north tower's footprint, the Daily News reported. The new plans were shared with historic-preservation groups and 9/11 family organizations, and adhere to recommendations made by builder Frank Sciame. The revisions eliminate massive shear walls that would have obstructed views of the footprint, the Daily News continued. Additionally, rather than building a contemplation room with a mortuary vessel, the plans now call for a space in the visitor center where victims' families can view the memorial, the paper added.

Bloomberg Likely to Head 9/11 Memorial Foundation

Thursday, October 5^th: Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been tapped to replace retiring World Trade Center Memorial Foundation chairman John Whitehead, the Associated Press reported. The mayor has pledged $10 million of his own money toward building the memorial, and his aides told the AP that he would accept the post if nominated. The city's Conflicts of Interest Board said that Bloomberg can head the foundation, but he would have to recuse himself from any donors' matters pending before the city, the AP added.

While some family members disagree with the mayor's nomination -- citing his preference to list victims' names in random order as an issue that has hurt fundraising -- others feel that his appointment will boost the campaign, the AP reported. Paula Grant Berry, a member of the foundation's nominating committee, said, "If the mayor of New York City steps up and says this has to get done, it speaks volumes to the country," the AP quoted, adding, "It pulls tremendous weight." The nomination is expected to take place October 5^th, the AP added.