March 3rd - March 9th, 2006

New Artwork to Grace the Wall of 7 WTC

Monday, March 6th: The conceptual artist Jenny Holzer has spent more than a year working with developer Larry Silverstein, his wife Klara, and David Childs of architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which designed 7 World Trade Center, to create a work of art that will scroll across the building's lobby, the New York Times reported. The building is not yet open to the public, but Holzer is testing out her new installation and tweaking the five-foot-high letters, which move across an acid-etched, diffused, translucent glass screen embedded in the lobby wall, the paper continued.

Initially Silverstein rejected Childs' proposal that they incorporate Holzer's exhibit. "I decided not to do it because I felt that I'd have difficulties with her word program," he told the Times. After significant prodding from Childs, Silverstein agreed on the condition that he could remove text he found objectionable, the paper added. Childs felt strongly that the project would fit with the building's design, which is based on light and transparency. "I thought the wall would be a prime opportunity to do something on a grand scale," he told the Times.

Klara Silverstein worked with Holzer on the poetry the artist had selected, helping her determine which material was "too graphic," according to the paper. Holzer told the Times: "I was taken aback at the gravity of the project. I didn't want to make bad or insensitive art."

Proposals Requested for Battery Maritime Building Market

Tuesday, March 7th: The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has issued a request for proposals to transform the Battery Maritime Building into a new food market with stalls for vendors selling artisanal cheese, wines, and grass-fed meats, among other things, the New York Times reported. "What New York is really missing is a great market hall in a historic building," EDC Executive Vice President Kate Ascher told the Times.

The building recently underwent a $58 million renovation, but city officials have yet to determine its future use, the Times continued. The corporation is open to ideas but favors converting it into a food haven, the paper reported, and added that ferries, including the ferry to Governors Island, will continue to use the three berths in the building. Lower Manhattan residents would welcome another place to purchase food, according to Community Board 1 Chairwoman Julie Menin, who told the Times: "We don't have a large market. We have very few grocery stores. It has been one of the number one complaints of residents in terms of the quality of life."

Port Authority Halts New PATH Track at WTC

Tuesday, March 7th: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey decided to halt construction of a sixth temporary PATH track at the World Trade Center transportation hub, the New York Times reported. Steven Plate, the director of priority capital programs for the Port Authority, told the paper that although workers have already begun construction of a related retaining wall, eliminating the track will save several million dollars and create "a little elbow room" for construction projects on the site, including the WTC Memorial.

A sixth track was included in the initial plan to prevent train traffic interruption when permanent tracks need to be taken out of service during construction, according to the paper. But without it, the Port Authority still expects to be able "to minimize the disruption to the riding public," according to Plate. As for the retaining wall, it will now serve as a barrier between the memorial and terminal construction. "A wall always makes you feel a little more comfortable," Plate told the paper.

Millions Awarded to Support the Arts Downtown

Wednesday, March 8th: An air of celebration filled the wood-paneled Collector's Office at the National Museum of the American Indian Wednesday afternoon as members of the downtown arts community assembled to hear rebuilding officials announce the award of millions of dollars to support cultural institutions in Lower Manhattan. To learn more, click here.

Silverstein and His Insurers at U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Wednesday, March 8th: Recent court trials resulted in opposing verdicts regarding whether developer Larry Silverstein should be entitled to additional awards from his insurers to rebuild the World Trade Center complex, the AP reported. 

The first trial's jury classified the destruction of the Twin Towers as one event, determining that Silverstein therefore is entitled to a single $1.8 billion settlement, the AP reported. The second jury classified the destruction as two separate events, making Silverstein eligible for $3.6 billion, the newswire continued. Both sides have asked the three-judge appeals panel to review the two trials, the AP added.