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What will happen at Ground Zero? Developer Larry Silverstein's bluff has finally been called: "The motivation [of Silverstein] is in my opinion to get as much money out of the project as possible," said Charles Gargano, vice chairman of the Port Authority and a lead negotiator in the talks. "This is not a traditional real estate project, this is a project where thousands of people lost their lives." Gargano also voiced what New Yorkers have known for years: Silverstein is greedy. It's all about the money for him, and always was. He was the leaseholder of the World Trade Centers for a mere six weeks before 9/11.
Silverstein, who by all accounts hasn't got the capital to build everything in his ambitious portfolio of projects, keeps on stalling to improve his leverage in the talks. But now with the three major players united against him, it does not look good for Silverstein. The governor: "We cannot and will not allow profit margins and financial interests to be put ahead of public interest," said Pataki, who offered Silverstein yet another sweet deal, which Silverstein refused. He added that Silverstein "betrayed the public trust." The mayor: "It is time for Silverstein Properties to temper its individual interests and focus on what's best for the New York City," he said. (quotes via Newsday)
For the first time, it now seems possible that the Port Authority might flex its considerable muscle and call the shots regarding the obscenely overscaled Freedom Tower, which at 1,776 is objectively nothing more than an eyesore and oversized target.
Meanwhile, Openhousenewyork announced last night that it will hold an "opendialogue" forum at 7 World Trade Center on Tuesday, April 11th at 6:30pm.
Tags:
bloomberg, governor, ground zero, mayor, pataki, silverstein, wtc
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Posted on 3/15/2006
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