December 19, 2003

BEACON OF FREEDOM:

Twisting Skyscraper to Replace NY's WTC (December 19, 2003, Grant McCool)


The building dubbed the "Freedom Tower" will be the world's tallest at 1,776 feet when it is completed by the end of 2008 and is intended to reclaim part of Manhattan's famous skyline shattered in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"We will build it to show the world that freedom will always triumph over terror and that we will face the 21st century with confidence," said New York Gov. George Pataki, who has final authority over what is built on the 16-acre (6.4 hectare) site in lower Manhattan's financial district.

Right after 9.11.01, a group of colleagues and I were heatedly debating whether they'd ever re-build the WTC. Some insisted that it would be such sacred ground that nothing would ever replace it. I've always believed the most symbolic memorial for those 3000+ souls could never be found at ground level - surely it would stretch to the heavens. The American Spirit of Freedom demands that we would rebuild something taller, stronger, more technologically equipped. This is not arrogance or extravagance. It is evidence of what we aspire to be.

And, dear God forbid, should this one too be razed by the evils of terror, we must rebuild again and again.

Posted by John Resnick at December 19, 2003 1:45 PM
Comments

But at least build something attractive!

Posted by: M. at December 19, 2003 2:47 PM

M. -

What, and disregard community standards?

Posted by: Mike Earl at December 19, 2003 2:53 PM

The offset spire on top is supposed to echo the raised hand of the Statue of Liberty. To the Jihadis it probably looks like it is giving them the finger.

Posted by: Gideon at December 19, 2003 3:12 PM

I remember a news anchor asked someone (an architect?) on 9-11 if they should rebuild them. He said he didn't think anyone would rent the office space.

I've always thought the office should go up to a level that matches the buildings around it and then have a skeletal frame that reaches way up to the sky. It would be easy to light and I love the windmill idea. This might be something really special.

I also like the giving the finger idea. Isn't that what the Statue of Liberty is doing to them already?

Posted by: NKR at December 19, 2003 7:13 PM

I also have always thought that, in some strange way, having people working right in the memorial is a tribute to the people who died in those buildings on what should have been a typical work day.

Posted by: NKR at December 19, 2003 7:16 PM

A ground-level plaza covered with snow in winter, and grass-bordered walkways in summer. That is the most symbolic representaion in lower Manhattan to commemorate 9-11.

School children in 2025 will ask their parents why there is no building in this vast space. It's surrounded by tall buildings.

That will give parents the opportunity to discuss that long-forgotten assault on the American people.

Posted by: John J. Coupal at December 21, 2003 3:13 AM

I think we nedd to put the UN in the building, with the french legation on the top floor.

Posted by: Robert Schwartz at December 22, 2003 12:40 AM

That would make their retreat very, very fast. With an abrupt end.

Posted by: Jeff Guinn at December 22, 2003 8:46 PM
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