December 13th - December 19th, 2003

Design for Freedom Tower Is Made Public

Friday, Dec. 19: Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and rebuilding officials will be on hand today at historic Federal Hall as the design is unveiled for the planned Freedom Tower in Lower Manhattan.

The design for the building slated for the northwest corner of the World Trade Center site is a collaborative effort of architects David Childs and master planner Daniel Libeskind.

According to a statement from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the tower will stand 1,776 feet tall and include a spire that evokes the nearby Statue of Liberty. The statement adds that the design will "incorporate innovative cable technology, adhere to the highest standards of safety and security, and generate much of its own electricity."

Imagine New York Releases Report on Proposed Memorial Designs

Tuesday, Dec. 16: Imagine New York, a project of the Municipal Art Society, released its summary report regarding the eight memorial designs proposed for the World Trade Center site. The 20-page report reflects comments made by more than 2,800 participants in a series of workshops held in and near the city late last month.

According to Imagine New York, participants were asked to comment on aspects of each design that appealed and did not appeal to them; how the designs seemed to fit into the master plan for the site, and how the memorial might be perceived by future generations.

The report, which has been delivered to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and other officials, can be viewed here.

State Funds Remaining Money Will Go to Children of 9/11 Victims

Wednesday, Dec. 17: About $4 million remaining in New York State's World Trade Center fund will be awarded to children who lost a parent at the WTC on 9/11, the Daily News reported.

The News said that according to Gov. George Pataki, about 2,800 children who lost parents in the terror attacks of 9/11 will benefit. Also eligible for up to $3,000 is anyone certified by the American Red Cross as having been injured in the attacks, the News said.

According to the News, the fund -- administered by the state Department of Taxation and Finance -- collected almost $70 million in donations over two years.