Monday, August 12, 2002

Frank Lloyd Wright Photo: Here's a photo I scrounged up showing Frank Lloyd Wright speaking in front of a huge drawing of the mile-tall Illinois building. 6:47:44 PM

Tall Building Proposals for the new World Trade Center: For some time I have been involved with a coalition of people working to make sure that the old World Trade Center is replaced with very tall skyscrapers rather than some cowardly collection of dwarfish "hubris-free" buildings.  Mt friend Rob LeChevalier has been trying to promote the idea of building an updated version of Frank Lloyd Wright's Illinois building, which happens to be a mile tall (that's 5280 feet boys and girls!).  Personally, I think that numerous practical problems (including having to come up with a way of putting the thing up without having to tear down a lot of existing buildings and raise it the way Wright intended, which was to build it around a huge single spire forged on the site and pulled up in one day(!), however I love the design and audacity of the thing which is why I have some drawings of it on my website.  Anyway, though I think it's still unrealistic for a number of reasons I would be happy to discuss, I did whip up a couple of images showing what it might look like if they were to build it at the WTC site. 6:40:08 PM

Good Guys Respond to Stupid Letter by German Intellectuals: David Blankenhorn and his group respond to a German letter about the immorality of American military actions.  You can also read the original letter that started it all and the German response. 3:29:59 PM

Listening to the City: New York has been soliciting (not entirely honestly IMHO) opinions from various folks both in the city and outside for several weeks now regarding issues related to the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, and this has included some (closed to the public) polls.  Since I can get at the poll resumts I thought I would pass them along here... Elements of Rebuilding: Something Unique "Anchor the skyline" with buildings that "stand out," that are distinctive to New York. Use world-class designers. Many suggested an international architectural competition. Very important (77%) Important (12%) Somewhat important (5%) Not important (6%) No preference (0%) Not prepared to state an opinion (0%) Elements of Rebuilding: Mixed Use To recover and thrive, Lower Manhattan must become a mixed-use area. Rebuild office space, but balance it with retail, tourist, and pedestrian uses and secondary services (e.g., laundromats, restaurants) for nearby residents. It has to be "livable." Very important (42%) Important (26%) Somewhat important (17%) Not important (14%) No preference (0%) Not prepared to state an opinion (0%) Revitalization Issues: Cultural Centers Establish cultural centers unique to downtown, performance spaces, museums or even a new university. Strong support for new institutions, not satellite venues that merely "bring uptown downtown." Very important (29%) Important (26%) Somewhat important (19%) Not important (23%) No preference (2%) Not prepared to state an opinion (1%) Elements of Rebuilding: Green Space As much green space as possible, in a variety of sizes. More access to water views and the waterfront, on all three sides of Lower Manhattan. "The entire space should feel clean and renewed." Very important (35%) Important (20%) Somewhat important (17%) Not important (26%) No preference (1%) Not prepared to state an opinion (1%) Elements of Rebuilding: Focus on the Environment Use environmentally-conscious and energy-efficient techniques wherever possible. Consider sustainability in design and in materials used. Very important (46%) Important (19%) Somewhat important (19%) Not important (14%) No preference (1%) Not prepared to state an opinion (1%) Revitalization Issues: Finance First Start by re-establishing a thriving finance industry, including offices and transportation access, and the rest will follow. The financial district is "the backbone of NY's economy." "If you build it, they will come." Very important (38%) Important (23%) Somewhat important (23%) Not important (13%) No preference (0%) Not prepared to state an opinion (3%) Revitalization Issues: Transportation Hub Connect NYC and commuter lines in a single, modern transportation hub, a "Grand Central Station for Lower Manhattan." Improve downtown access to PATH, LIRR and Metro North, and improve traffic and transit to reduce isolation of Lower Manhattan. Very important (55%) Important (28%) Somewhat important (11%) Not important (6%) No preference (1%) Not prepared to state an opinion (0%) Revitalization Issues: Housing On Site If new housing is added to the site, it should cater to multiple income levels and foster economic diversity. Very important (23%) Important (13%) Somewhat important (14%) Not important (42%) No preference (2%) Not prepared to state an opinion (5%) Revitalization Issues: Housing Off Site Do not use the 16-acre area for new housing. Residential development should be in adjacent areas. "The city needs housing, but not here." Very important (55%) Important (14%) Somewhat important (8%) Not important (19%) No preference (3%) Not prepared to state an opinion (1%) Tuesday, August 6 Restoring the Street Grid: How important is it to restore part or all of the street grid? Very important (17%) Important (15%) Somewhat important (18%) Unimportant (40%) No preference (5%) Not prepared to state an opinion (5%) Improving West Street Crossing: How important is it to improve the ability to cross West Street by foot and to connect the two sections of Lower Manhattan? Very important (50%) Important (23%) Somewhat important (15%) Not important (7%) No preference (2%) Not prepared to state an opinion (3%) Monday, August 5 Adding to the Skyline: How important is it to add a major element or icon to the Lower Manhattan skyline? Very important (71%) Important (8%) Somewhat important (10%) Unimportant (8%) No preference (2%) Not prepared to state an opinion (1%) New Towers? How Tall? Should a new tower or towers be built to replace the 110-story World Trade Center towers? How tall should a new tower be? Yes. Rebuild taller than before. (40%) Yes. Rebuild around the same height. (20%) Yes. But not as tall. (8%) No. But build something 'grand and inspiring.' (26%) No. (3%) No preference. (2%) Not prepared to state an opinion. (1%) Use of Open Space Do you prefer one large open space or a variety of differently sized open spaces? One large open space (26%) A variety of different sized open spaces (46%) No preference (15%) Not prepared to state an opinion (13%) Sunday, August 4 Hopes: Here are some of the major themes we found in your discussions about your HOPES for the rebuilding process. Of course, we couldn't show every hope expressed. But please vote for the one that you consider most important. "Fill the void in the sky" with towers that are bigger than before, or smaller but still grand and inspiring, "like a phoenix rising out of the ashes." (34%) Do not "settle" in the redesign of the entire site! Use the best minds available to create something unique and "world-class." "We are making history." (38%) Create a Memorial that honors the dead with respect and dignity. A place that "soothes the soul," and speaks to the entire world and to future generations. Uses water, light or high spaces. (12%) No "shortsighted" economic solutions. Revitalize all aspects of downtown life, not only business and finance. "Less concerned with inspiring our children than with leaving them a downtown that works." (11%) Take advantage of state-of-the-art techniques to build a site that is terror-proof and friendly to the environment. (4%) results as of 9:00 PM ET, August 5 see "Themes" from Hopes & Concerns discussions at the July 20 Javits Center event.. Concerns: Here are some of the major themes we found in your discussions about your CONCERNS for the rebuilding process. Of course, we couldn't show every concern expressed. But please vote for the one that you consider most important. We will not be heard. Real decisions are being made elsewhere by politicians and others in power. "Don't let anyone get away with business as usual." (27%) Competing needs will lead to unsatisfactory compromises. "Mediocrity pandering to everyone but pleasing no one." (30%) The wrong kind of Memorial will turn the site into a "giant mausoleum." (8%) No balance between peacefulness and a bustling economy. Traffic, shoppers and tourists will turn Lower Manhattan into a congested "Disneyland." (3%) Focus on the Memorial will overshadow other revitalization issues, such as economic recovery, transportation and neighborhood development. (19%) The design and planning process will be too rushed. (13%) results as of 9:00 PM ET, August 5 see "Themes" from Hopes & Concerns discussions at the July 20 Javits Center event.. Friday, August 2 Location of Web Use: What location do you use most often to go online for this discussion? Home (47%) Office (17%) Mix of home and office (34%) School (0%) Library or community center (1%) Internet cafe or other storefront location (1%) Other (0%) Wednesday, July 31 Feelings About Redevelopment How strong are your feelings about what should and should not be done at the World Trade Center site? Extremely strong (56%) Very strong (31%) Somewhat strong (12%) Not very strong at all (1%) Time Spent Online About how many hours during an average week do you spend online for personal interests such as ordering products, communicating with friends and relatives, finding information, surfing the Web, etc.? 1-5 hours (17%) 6-10 hours (35%) 11-20 hours (26%) More than 20 hours (22%) Online Discussion History - I Have you participated in online discussions before this one? No (49%) Yes - once or twice (19%) Yes - under 10 times (11%) Yes - more than I can count (21%) Online Discussion History - II If you have participated in more than two online discussions before this one, how satisfying have they been? Consistently good experiences (9%) Mixed bag - some good experiences, some not so good (45%) Mostly bad experiences (1%) Have participated in a couple or none (46%) 2:59:11 PM

Louis Epstein Says:  Might be better to shoot for October 11th (10/11 for steps after 9/11) than the Veterans' Day holiday...more sunshine and politicians still in voter-sensitive mode.(Oct 11th is a Friday,November 11th a holiday Monday). I earlier proposed a rally at the Javits Center when early publicity made it sound like LTTC was strictly for Civic Alliance member groups...so where would this rally be?  What are the practical problems? Input on this is appreciated. Don't forget the building codes hearing on August 13th at the Customs House at Bowling Green,the Gotham Gazette Java-Chat with Doctoroff on August 15th,or other upcoming events... I still await details on the Team Twin Towers LA fundraiser. see you on the 111th floor on 9-11-11! 1:53:40 AM

Marcella Mellos Discusses Rebuilder Strategy: Regarding the potential full page ad in the NY Times to restore the Twin Towers, I believe it would be more cost effective, have a greater impact and reach many more people if we have a rally.  We may need a permit to do so, I'll check into that.  If a permit is necessary and attainable, we can ask for donations, sell shirts, caps, buttons, etc.  Contemplate the following to occur: 1.  Organize a full day rally of hundreds of supporters  (let's say on 11/11 at 11:00    o'clock)  something catchy; 2.  Set up a PA system and podium; 3.  Line up speakers (a good part of the day) who wish to express their views, limited to "x" minutes, some entertainment (anyone with a guitar? singing and poetry reading symbolizing the unity and embodiment of New Yorkers/America and to break up the monotony of listening to speeches all day); 4.  Distribute fliers advertising the event beforehand; 5.  Invite the radio/television media and newspapers; 6.  Set up tables for petition signing, distribute leaflets, serve water/refreshments; 7.  Sell T-shirts, caps. buttons, etc. (if we have a permit) The ad may be a better choice if the City was to have a referendum but at this infant state a grassroots rally, in my view, is best because it bonds people with similar interests, personally connects to others, and builds a foundation to expand.  Marcella. 1:51:51 AM

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