Seven years after the destruction of the World Trade Center in the attacks of September 11, complications administrative, logistical and financial delaying the rebuilding of Ground Zero, where neither the foundations of work have culminated.
From majestic architectural project approved by the governor of New York State George Pataki in September 2006, only the metal frame of the 'Freedom Tower' (which should climb to 541 meters tall), have begun to leave the bowels of the earth on the site where about three thousand people died in the attacks most tragic of U.S. history.
In place of the other three towers, designed by architects Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Fumihiko Maki, excavations are still ongoing.
The construction of the station's World Trade Center not be completed until September 30, a revision imposed by the economic situation. And the first steel girder of the September 11th Memorial will not be placed until Tuesday for a scheduled inauguration ... in 2011.
"Obviously it is disappointing (...) many small shops must close. The quality of life of our residents has been seriously affected," said Julia Menin, a neighbour consulted by AFP. The district returned to attract new enterprises and residents, but the number of employees living under the shadow of Ground Zero is lower than it was before 2001, when the Twin Towers still dominated the skyline of Manhattan, according to the Downtown Neighborhood Association Alliance.
This is partly due to failure to rebuild or repair transportation infrastructure since the attacks, said to AFP Kathryn Wylde of the Partnership for New York. "The number one priority is the transportation infrastructure and the streets surrounding the area," said Wylde, adding that local residents and owners of businesses are concerned that officials are still reviewing the designs of all reconstruction projects with objective of saving money.
The initial budget for the reconstruction of 'Ground Zero' was set at 15,000 million dollars, which should be revised upwards by 18,000 million dollars, said Wylde. He added that it is likely that new buildings and services in the area Zero are not completed prior to 2013.
Chris Ward, director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the fateful area, said in an interview in June that "the timing and cost of each project site in the public faces significant delays and postponements."
The regulation of New York City to inspect all vehicles entering the area in search of explosives also of concern to residents. "We are worried. While we want good security, that security does not intend to affect too much on the lives of residents and small businesses," said Menin.
The problems facing 'Freedom Tower', which one day will dominate the new site, reveals the enormous obstacles slowing the rebuilding of Ground Zero. The planes' Freedom Tower 'were adopted in 2005 after years of discussion and debate. The construction began that same year, five years despuésdel terrorist attack.
