Sue

Just wanted to let you all know (in case you haven't heard) you can go online and help with the planning. They are taking ideas and had a big meeting (town hall style) in NYC to decide what to do with the rebuilding. I think it is great that they are interested in our opinions. Let's hope that it will be a loving tribute to those who were lost their lives. Go to Listeningtothecity.org to help out.

ItsOnlyFair

I think the decision on what to do rests with New Yorkers.

It's fine to share you opinion and ideas...but I think locals are the only oness that should be able to vote.

John

It's not technically a voting thing, but Listening to the City is limited to locals.

I do think there should be a broader national dialogue on it, though. The WTC was a lot more than just a local thing - global, really. But the residents of Lower Manhattan should get first crack at it IMO.

Also IMO this topic is fair game for a travel board, dear censors. A lot of travelers want to visit and experience NYC these days - this discussion can make their visits more memorable.

al

Anybody read the editorial in yesterday's papers about how the WTC should be rebuilt as tall (or taller) and stronger than before, just to show the other side that are not soft? There were several examples of things throughout history rebuilt stronger and better after being destroyed, among them the Parthenon, the White House and the Capitol building, and although there are many reasons not to rebuild exactly like before, this article made a great case in favor of it.

Correction

Oops, left out a 'we', as in "show the other side that WE are not soft."

Monica

I think what they're concerned about though is that if they build the WTC as tall or taller than it was before, nobody will lease the space. Also there's something I've read about the elevators taking up too much space in really tall buildings which makes them less cost effective than slightly shorter (but still very tall) buildings.

ITsOnlyFair

Unless a building is built with federal money the decsion shoud rest with locals and with those that are paying for the construction.

Everyone may voice their opinion. But unless Federal tax dollars are used, I firmly believe that only the locals should decide how to rebuild.

RnR

I'm not sure who ought to have the deciding voice, there are so many groups and interests involved. I don't know what others are thinking, but for me, the six "concepts" don't offer much in the way of creativity, inspiration. They are too much alike. The architecture of the buildings is completely unoriginal, not inspiring in the least. There are just too darned many people and interests to saitsfy, the final is likely to look like a committee product. Give the project to a few gifted young designers and let them come up with something new. If it's not 11 million sq. feet, so what! That will not be the indicator of achievement when the replacement WTC is finally built one of these years. And deemphasize the size of the memorial aspects of the replacament. Whatever is finally built will have much emotional impact if the overall design is wonderful. And if it is not, then no memorial, no matter how great, will be that significant.