Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 00:29:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: Louis Epstein
Subject: WTC Documents Released On Web


The Whitehead clique have released two documents on their website,
http://www.renewnyc.com/index.html (unfortunately both are Adobe
Acrobat PDF formatted,rather than straight HTML or text).

The one that got the press is the revised "Blueprint for the
Future of Lower Manhattan" but the longer "Summary and Response
to Comments" is of at least equal importance in gauging the impact
we have had so far,and the substantial road ahead in changing their
thinking further.

I note that revisions in the text are generally underlined
in the new Blueprint.

The "Create a new skyline..." is only the last sub-item under the
only new addition to the Blueprint,which is "Support excellence in
design to ensure the creation of a location that is a symbol of
New York City recognized around the world".

Further,the blueprint continues with a pledge to work with
mainly anti-Towers groups on figuring out new plans...New York
New Visions,Civic Alliance/Regional Planning Association,the
Municipal Art Society,the American Institute of Architects,
and others.

(MAS sponsored the Imagine New York workshop,whose 49 "vision
statements" were characterized by AIA local Executive Director
Rick Bell as "48 great ideas and one lousy one,rebuilding the
Twin Towers",and today Bell was said by the New York Post to
be attacking the reported intent of the six development proposals
in always wanting to bring back the entire amount of office space
that was lost.While the attempted shoehorning of this space into
buildings shorter than the Towers on less than all of the site leads
to crowded,unimpressive design,the solution is rebuilding the Towers
at least as tall as before,and the taller they are the less crowded
the site will be).

According to the "Summary and Response to Comments",205 individuals
made comments in one form or another.(Think about it...that's less
than half the size of this email list...imagine the impact it would
have if you ALL sent comments on the next round of public input!)

It is noted that "Thirty commenters argued for the restoration of
the towers or the construction of comparable structures.Among these
commenters,many noted security concerns,and therefore specifically
proposed structures thart would only be occupied up to a certain
height but would have structural components as tall as the Twin
Towers.Nine other commenters mentioned the importance of restoring
or enhancing the city's skyline,without offering specific proposals."

The thirty said to advocate restoring the Towers "or comparable
structures" are the largest number said to have advocated any single
goal,and the "strong sentiment" is noted.The impact is blunted by
there being significant specific advocacy of towers whose upper
reaches are empty...false fronts of recovery rather than the living
embodiment of it.

As the plans take more concrete shape,we need to make our
advocacy of rebuilt Towers or structures at least as tall
as the Towers,and inhabitable by humans up to their roofs,
more concrete as well...and we need to make more of our voices
heard.We need to present the reasons more cogently.

This comment process and the revisions hitherto demonstrate
the power of "squeaky wheels",we must remain outspoken at
every opportunity they present us with.The "Summary and Response"
lists those who submitted comments or spoke at the hearings,
but often misspells names ("Amiat Fickeltoff"?) and leaves some
out(Jonathan Hakala,Andrew Oliff).

Ten days until Listening To The City II...
as far as the post-forum networking dinner goes,
still haven't decided between Houlihan's,TGI Friday's,
Charley O's,and O'Farrell's,and looking for input.
Now's the time to tell me if you'll be there and where
you'd rather be,if you haven't!!

See you on the 111th floor on 9-11-11!!!

-=-=-
The World Trade Center towers MUST rise again,
at least as tall as before...or terror has triumphed.