The Battle for Ground Zero, Part 188

Ground Zero first responders attented a conference by the WTC Medical Monitoring Program yesterday where they could learn about the program, screening options, and where they can go for treatment for ailments that might be related to their service at Ground Zero.

Merill Lynch is looking at major office space at Ground Zero. They're looking to fill a good portion of one of the proposed towers at the site.

Merrill is considering either Two or Three World Trade Center, in addition to other locations, Bloomberg reported. The company's current headquarters are located in the World Financial Center in Battery Park City, across the street from the trade center site.
A decision by Merrill may spur development plans at ground zero, where rebuilding has been stalled for five years.

Silverstein, who controls the building rights for most of the site, has been in extended negotiations over the master plan for the property with city and state officials from New York and New Jersey, as well as groups representing the victims' families.

That compares with another story suggesting that Merill is about ready to head to New Jersey. What Merill decides to do with depend greatly on the breaks they're able to get and whether the Port Authority and Silverstein can deliver the buildings on schedule. If Merill is leaning towards committing to space at Ground Zero, that will spur the Port Authority and Silverstein to get on top of the construction efforts - with a committed tenant to lead the way.

Meanwhile, shortly after the 9/11 attacks, the need to reestablish pedestrian access across West Street in the vicinity of Ground Zero became quite apparent. There had been two pedestrian bridges, and one was completely destroyed while the second was damaged. It was decided to build a temporary span at Rector Street. Well, the need is still there, and the span is taking on an air of permanence.

Richard Schmalz, the project director for the reconstruction of Route 9A, said the decision to revamp the bridge rather than tear it down at the conclusion of the reconstruction had been reached in concert with the Battery Park City Authority, because both parties felt a pedestrian bridge was necessary in the area. Both the Authority and the transportation department were quick to say the bridge would not necessarily be up for 10 years, if interested parties could decide on where a permanent bridge should go.

The Battery Park City committee and the Authority have floated the idea of bridges at various locations, particularly Morris Street. But these have proven problematic. In the case of Morris Street, many of the buildings on the east side of West Street (where the bridge would land) are landmarked. And there is no consensus about where the bridge would land on the Battery Park City side, either. The DOT has also proposed installing a pedestrian bridge in the vicinity of the Battery Tunnel, but residents have argued that such a location would be too far south to serve as a replacement for the Rector Street location.

The future of the lawn near the Rector Street bridge seemed to be the chief concern of committee members and the dozen or so residents that came to the meeting to hear about the reconstruction of Route 9A. Leticia Remauro, spokeswoman for the BPC Authority, pointed out that temporary recreational elements could be installed in the lawn at the foot of the bridge, until the bridge could be removed and more permanent amenities constructed. “We really need to figure out together what that needs to be,” she said. “It could be maybe some gardens and maybe one basketball court.” All around the room heads nodded.

The lawn area is much smaller than the final plans, without the bridge, call for. Bridge components like the footing and the ramp constrict the area and there is also less head room in some areas due to the ramp. But Shmalz said he is willing to listen to the community, once the community makes up its mind.

Meanwhile, yet more bone fragments were recovered from the vicinity of Ground Zero.

Technorati: World Trade Center, WTC, Pataki, LMDC, urban policy, Freedom Tower, IFC, International Freedom Center, spitzer, silverstein, mount sinai, respiratory ailment, wtc cough, bloomberg.