Statement from Governor David A. Paterson on Approval of World Trade Center Development Plan
August 26, 2010
"I would like to thank the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners for approving the Port Authority-Silverstein Development Plan. At long last, this authorization by the Commissioners will provide for and ensure the full restoration of the entire World Trade Center site.
"One World Trade Center has reached the 36th floor and is beginning to make its mark in the Lower Manhattan skyline, and the Memorial Pools and the Plaza are on schedule for completion by the 10th Anniversary. And now, with the Port Authority and the Durst Organization joint venture and the recently signed Letter of Intent with Condé Nast to lease one million square feet of office space in One World Trade Center, this Development Plan provides the capstone to a summer marked by significant progress towards resurrecting the World Trade Center's symbolic towers.
"I would like to recognize and thank New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward and Chairman Anthony Coscia, Larry Silverstein, and their respective staffs for their commitment and diligence in transforming the framework outlined in the March 25, 2010 term sheet into a Development Plan.
"This Development Plan balances the risk and rewards of the private sector development between the public and private parties. And, most importantly, will responsibly restore the World Trade Center site in a manner that does justice to the victims of September 11th. With the 9th anniversary only two weeks away, we can look forward as New Yorkers and Americans in watching the progress of the construction, brick by brick, as our great monument of freedom is brought back to New York."
