Statement by Governor David A. Paterson on the Release of the Port Authority Report on the Rebuilding of the World Trade Center Site

Statement

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON ON THE RELEASE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY REPORT ON THE REBUILDING OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER SITE

Says the Report Delivers Realistic Budgets and Timelines; Shows Transparency, Accountability

"Seven years ago, we witnessed the most tragic day in our State's history, when nearly 3,000 people were killed in the brutal attacks at the World Trade Center. While our city has recovered, we have not rebuilt. Families cannot mourn at a memorial for those innocent and brave men, women and children killed on that day. Business cannot return to its full capacity without a new transportation center. And the buildings that brought tens of thousands of workers to Lower Manhattan have not been rebuilt. When I took office in March, this complex project was shamefully off-track. That's why shortly after I took office I asked the Port Authority to do a complete audit of the schedule and budgets for rebuilding the World Trade Center site.

"Today, we have a roadmap for transforming 16 acres of Ground Zero back into a robust area ready for business, transportation and tourism. I thank Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward and Port Authority Board Chairman Anthony Coscia for their work on this comprehensive report. Over the past three months, Chris and his staff put all options on the table. They asked the hard questions. They made tough but practical decisions. And thanks to their hard work, I am proud to say that we have resolved the 15 fundamental issues that have stalled this project. As a result, we now know what we're going to build; who's going to build it; when it's going to be finished; and how much it's going to cost. We not only have deadlines for each project, we have multiple milestones for each one. I will hold the Port Authority accountable for hitting these milestone dates.

"We have solutions for the 15 major obstacles to the success of the project. These include:

- A simplified World Trade Center Transportation Hub that retains architect Santiago Calatrava's vision, but delivers schedule and cost savings and increased transportation capacity;
- A construction solution that will allow the Memorial to open for the 10th anniversary of September 11th, in 2011;
- A strategy to construct Greenwich Street - the front door for Towers 2, 3 and 4 and a key access point to the Memorial - years before anticipated in June;
- Decisions on a series of issues that will give the Port Authority greater control over delivery of the Vehicle Security Center, which will serve as a key access point to all of the commercial development on the WTC site.

"We still have challenges to overcome. While we have made significant progress since June, this remains the most complex construction project in the world. New challenges will inevitably arise. But I am confident that—if we are candid, honest and accountable every step of the way—we will succeed in achieving what the people of New York deserve: a fully rebuilt site on an acceptable schedule and within an acceptable budget. Once again, my thanks to Chris Ward for his leadership, and I look forward to reaching our first milestones."

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