A New Blueprint

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The struggle for control over the Freedom Tower, which would reclaim the title of tallest building in New York City, has compounded the delays at ground zero. Silverstein repeatedly clashed with Libeskind, eventually bringing in his own architect, David Childs, who reached a messy compromise with Libeskind over the design. The relatives of the victims don't speak as one: some want development; other don't. They are more concerned about the memorial itself, which has become a separate battle. Last summer, just as construction was to begin, the blueprints had to be reworked because of safety concerns raised by the police. Sources close to Silverstein say the redesign set the project back two years. The Port Authority's push for more control over the site delayed construction even further.

The Port Authority has won that battle. But to fill the Freedom Tower's 2.6 million sq. ft. of office space, Pataki and his allies at the Port Authority may again rely on government tenants to fill the floors. In the old World Trade Center, the Port Authority occupied 13 full floors--and lost 47 civilian employees, including its chief, Neil Levin, in the attacks. But adding government space could make potential tenants even more skittish about a recurrence.

"I've never understood why the plan required a building that large," says Leone. "It's become a symbol of defiance. I understand there is a lot of emotion, but at the end of the day you're spending public money. The original World Trade Center didn't make money for 10 years. To go through that again doesn't make sense."

For now, Silverstein will move forward with construction--to the relief of a city that has grown weary of the endless bickering. But change could still be in the works. The Port Authority doesn't officially vote on the agreement with Silverstein until late September. More important, with Pataki in his final year in office, New York will get a new Governor--with ultimate authority over the site--next January. Expect the future of ground zero to be re-examined yet again. [This article contains a complex diagram. Please see hardcopy of magazine.] Grand Vision The planned office towers and memorial at the World Trade Center site are finally moving forward. But who will fill the buildings? 7 WORLD TRADE CENTER Not part of the WTC master plan, and the only structure already rebuilt. The developer calls it "the safest building in America," but it has attracted just three tenants so far FREEDOM TOWER Years of haggling among the power players, coupled with design revisions and security concerns, delayed the start of the architectural heart of the site. Construction is finally under way

Performing Arts Center

Cultural Center

CULTURAL BUILDINGS Political controversy over possible exhibits derailed the proposed International Freedom Center and led the Drawing Center to seek another site. Neither building has been started World Trade Center Memorial

MEMORIAL The sunken memorial, called Reflecting Absence, will echo the footprints of the twin towers and will contain a museum dedicated to the events of 9/11. It is scheduled for completion in 2011 Subway transit center Underground Concourse

Commuter-rail station