World Trade Center Over Budget and Behind Schedule

The new Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center is, according to Reuters, behind schedule and over budget, and major problems mean new cost estimates and timetable must be drawn up, officials said on Monday. According to those involved the cost of materials and issues with the scope and design of the project are holding it up.

There are about 15 "issues" with the project. According to the article these include: how many trees the memorial should have to demolishing the nearby Deutsche Bank building -- badly damaged in the attacks but still standing -- to salvaging the transit hub designed by Santiago Calatrava whose elaborate "butterfly wings" design could be too costly.

I think the ten year goal to get the building and the site was admirable, but with so much that needs to be integrated into one site, I do not believe that it is practical.

The article also indicated that Gov. Corazine of New Jersey is included in the new steering committee. Though New Jersey residents are large stakeholders in the Center's development, should they have such a large role to influence the project?

Photo by Steepways