Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Tizzy Over Downplayed "Freedom" At 1 World Trade Center
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 27, 2009
Modified Mar 28, 2009
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 Mar 27, 2009
Modified Mar 28, 2009
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
After the Port Authority announced it would refer to the signature building at the World Trade Center site as 1 World Trade Center, not Freedom Tower, implying it would be easier to market the building by its legal address, there was quite a reaction.
The Post called it "Free Dumb" on its cover. Former governor George Pataki, the man who dubbed the 1,776-foot skyscraper (including antenna) "Freedom Tower," said, "The Freedom Tower is not simply another piece of real estate and not just a name for marketing purposes. In design and name, it is symbolic of our commitment to rise above the attacks of Sept. 11. Where One and Two World Trade Center once stood, there will be a memorial with two voids to honor the heroes we lost. In my view, those addresses should never be used again." The Daily News offered a blistering editorial, calling the Port Authority "imperious," but said it wasn't a big deal anyway, since the Port Authority has screwed up every deadline promised and lied about costs.
Relatives of 9/11 victims weighed in. Rosemary Tallon, whose firefighter brother died, said, "My gut reaction is calling a building the World Trade Center when it really isn't the World Trade Center is pretty creepy," while Debra Burlingame, sister of a pilot whose plane crashed into the Pentagon said, "If we can't say the word freedom out loud, God help us. I understand the decision from a marketing point of view. But it saddens me that it's no longer economically viable to declare who we are."
So far, 88% of our readers believe that 1 WTC is a far better address—if you haven't voted in our poll, you can:
Mayor Bloomberg said on his radio show this morning, "I would like to see it stay the Freedom Tower, but it’s their building and they don’t need me dumping on it. If they could rent the whole thing by changing the name, I guess they’re going to do that and they probably, from a responsible point of view, should."
Tagged
1 world trade center
freedom tower
port authority
world trade center
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
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 4:00 a.m. ET
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
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 .