Building a memorial makes sense to me.

Giuliani is right.

But the memorial should be tall, awe inspiring, and designed to survive anything thrown at it. Nothing less will do for me.

Dick Morris was on Fox News earlier this week and had an excellent suggestion. Form a non-profit corporation to oversee the development of a memorial and the eventual rebuilding of the WTC in whatever form it takes. Hire Mayor Giuliani to lead this new entity, which would provide the continuity of leadership that is needed and would any bickering over term limits. Morris opinion is that from a political and leadership standpoint, Giuliani in thie role would be the focal point of NYC for the next 5 years, and would wield more influence than the newly elected Mayor.

Makes sense to me. Plus, after everything that's happened he should emerge from this role as a formidable opponent to Hillary should he choose to run when her term is up.

It is very easy for people with no financial stake to make judgements about what to do with other peoples' property based on emotion. If this is allowed to happen, then it is another victory for the terrorists.

Memorials are fine, but in this case it will be a memorial not only to the victims, but to the perpetrators as well.

I am willing to let the people who own the $3,000,000,000 lease on the property decide what to do with it.

I was Giuliani's biggest fan until he started making noises of overturning the rule of law and staying on as Mayor despite the term limits law, which has been voted on by New Yorkers twice. Nobody's indispensable. It will be time for him to go when his lawful term has expired.

Whoever owns that lease now holds a lease on a cemetery. Giuliani is right.

Whoever owns that lease now holds a lease on a cemetery. Giuliani is right.

In that case, the terrorists win. Private property no longer exists. Whatever the mob decides, goes.

There will be a memorial and there will be office space. As regards the office space, Silverstein Properties is entitled to build whatever they choose.

Rebuilding the Towers as they stood previously is simply not practical. The number of people who would work above, say, the 50th floor on that site would be negligible. It's just not psychologically feasible to build them exactly as they were. Giuliani is right about that.

In that case, the terrorists win. Private property no longer exists. Whatever the mob decides, goes.

Damn Right....All you wishy washy types are mistaken... a memorial is fine, but incorporated into the spot. And the buildings built should be bigger, that what previously existed.

On principle...no matter what it takes.

My only point is that it is not Giuliani's decision, or anyone else's who does not have a financial investment in the property.

IMHO, I would like to see a new design WTC built over a memorial, i.e. the memorial would be the centerpiece in a huge open atrium-like interior space with escalators going up to the new offices on either side and fountains, waterfall, plants, etc. This would be the Heart of the new WTC. To not rebuild is to admit defeat which is what the terrorists wanted.

All you wishy washy types are mistaken... a memorial is fine, but incorporated into the spot. And the buildings built should be bigger, that what previously existed.

New York zoning boards could simply forbid what you suggest.

I think they should. NOBODY is going to work in a massive tower built in the same spot.

In addition, this will be the burial place of hundreds of people. I'd bet Silverstein won't get approval to build on the same spot.

I was Giuliani's biggest fan until he started making noises of overturning the rule of law and staying on as Mayor despite the term limits law, which has been voted on by New Yorkers twice

If I remember right, he wasn't making the noises, his constituents were. Besides, overturning a law is not overturning the rule of law as long as you follow the rule of law in overturning it :-)

-bc

On principle...no matter what it takes.

Kudos to you for that.

I agree with you. Hence my statement about Silverstein Properties building whatever they choose.

I don't believe Giuliani was trying to dictate what would be built there. He was just recognizing some practical realities. There will need to be some sort of memorial, and I certainly hope it is done properly.

In terms of building a replica of the Towers as they existed before or "something bigger", I personally wish that could be done to show our resolve against terrorism. However, economically, it simply will not happen because you will not be able to get enough people to work there at any price. That is the unfortunate reality.

I disagree. Include a memorial, but they should be rebuilt as soon as possible with a huge sign that says "We're back, screw you".

?I?All you wishy washy types are mistaken... a memorial is fine, but incorporated into the spot. And the buildings built should be bigger, that what previously existed."?/i? The point is that this isn't 'prime commercial real estate' anymore.?P? Who would lease space in it? Answer: nobody.?P? Who would take a job in it? Answer: nobody.?P? Who would insure it? Answer: not even Lloyd's of London.?P? This is reality. It is finished as commercial-use property.?P? Sorry.?P? --Boris

Rebuild. Take the entire WTC complex and design a circular set of 7 buildings around the tract of land. Build a memorial in the middle, which would be an open court. Make them all have glass exteriors.

This would have the practical effect of building a "crown" for the city with the memories of the tragedy forever memorialized in the center of the crown.

I dunno. If the memorial was built in the center or plaza of any new skyscrapers, utilizing the huge jagged metal pieces they're thinking of using, would the people going to work there every single day be traumatized over and over again with the horrifying reminder? I'm thinking on this.

Leni