Eleven years after terrorist attacks brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Center, efforts to rebuild the site continue at an uneven pace, slowed by politics, finances and local disputes. However, several of the key projects are coming to fruition.
-Construction is moving forward on the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill-designed One World Trade Center, which is scheduled to open in 2014. But questions emerged earlier this year about the ultimate official height of the tower, which could eventually affect its status as the tallest building in North America, after the developers changed the design of the structure on top of the building.
-Most of an 8-acre memorial park opened last year and has attracted more than 4.5 million visitors. A funding dispute stalled work on a museum, but the issues were reportedly resolved on Monday.
-The 72-story 4 World Trade Center, an office building, is scheduled to open in October of 2013. The Port Authority will be the largest tenant. The 977-foot tower is listed as topped out in the CTBUH’s Skyscraper Center.
-Work has stalled on 3 World Trade Center, which is projected to eventually reach 1,240 feet. Developer Larry Silverstein is required to lease at least 400,000 square feet of space before finishing the building, AP reports.
-The tower on the site’s northeast corner, 2 World Trade Center, is also stalled while the developers wait for the commercial market to improve. Construction has only reached street level.
-The transportation hub designed by Santiago Calatrava is expected to open in 2015. The project has been hailed by designers, but it has provoked controversy in New York after the estimated cost rose from $2.2 billion to $3.5 billion.
-Discussions for a performing arts center remain in limbo. A new board of directors is looking to raise money for the project, which is supposed to include a 1,000-seat theater.
Last year, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks, the CTBUH published a special themed issue of the CTBUH Journal focusing on the World Trade Center and its legacy, as well as the impact of the attacks on the technical aspects of tall buildings. The special issue can be purchased here.
Watch the ABC report on the status of the project: