Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: 60 Minutes On Lack Of Ground Zero Progress
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 22, 2010
Modified Mar 25, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 22, 2010
Modified Mar 25, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last night, 60 Minutes aired its segment about the lack of progress at the World Trade Center site, noting, "This was the year that Ground Zero was supposed to be transformed into a soaring statement of American spirit... So we wondered: why is Ground Zero still a hole in the ground?"
It's a good, if depressing, summary of the problems so far: How plans have changed under three different governors and now four executive directors of the Port Authority. Developer Larry Silverstein says, "I describe this as a national disgrace. I am the most frustrated person in the world," while current Port Authority executive director Chris Ward explains how one delay can delay everything, "This is like a game of pick-up sticks down here. Every single part of this project touches another piece."
We also appreciate how New Yorker architecture critic Paul Goldberger chimes in about the revised Freedom Tower design's concrete bunker, "It was called by the governor the 'Freedom Tower.' But I said at one point around then, I wondered if it shouldn't be called the 'Fear Tower' instead." Anyway, when asked whether the proposed buildings would be built, Ward would only say, "What I can tell you is that downtown will come back."
Last week, Mayor Bloomberg criticized the Port Authority for not taking Silverstein's financial proposals seriously, "The Port Authority has their constituency, their fiscal responsibility, but it's time to stop this craziness of everything and we've just got to move forward here... I'm not going to leave this world with that hole in the ground 10 years from now. Silverstein—we asked him to come up with something, he's done and the Port Authority, it's their turn to do this. And I will push as hard as I can—they either should do this or just get out of the way."
Tagged
freedom tower
ground zero
larry silverstein
mayor bloomberg
port authority
world trade center
wtc
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
MTA’s Lieber reiterates opposition to ‘fast and free’ buses after violent incident
A Mamdani spokesman said an incident where a man was tackled for suspected fare evasion “would not happen in the first place if bus fare was eliminated.”
By
Carol Chen
Published Oct 15, 2026 at 4:43 p.m. ET
Avila Chevalier insists her beef is with NYPD Commissioner Tisch, not Mamdani
The Democratic nominee for Congress maintained that she and Mamdani remain close allies.
By
Jimmy Vielkind
News
Avila Chevalier insists her beef is with NYPD Commissioner Tisch, not Mamdani
The Democratic nominee for Congress maintained that she and Mamdani remain close allies.
By
Jimmy Vielkind
$500M, 30-year lease for a new Newark school moves forward
By
Michael Sol Warren
Police are looking for pickpockets who keep targeting this LES bar
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Citi Bike finishes expansion into 7 areas, including parts of North Bronx, Eastern Brooklyn
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .