Replies

In terms of the buildings and fitting in with what exists there now, I like 6 best. But, at the same time, it would be nice to have a large green space (such as in #1), not only as a memorial, but to provide open space for concerts and other large public activities (of the sort that the Islamics would like to put a stop to forever). I agree that none of them are really stunning, but they're a start.

Another interesting thing is that the WTC towers were so high that they cast a shadow over much of lower Manhattan. It appears to me that the shorter and more open design of these new towers will be fitting because it will make lower Manhattan feel lighter and more open, and will invite more people into the area - thus bringing back its life and activity, which is something else the Islamics hate.

By placing the towers on the North and East edge of the site, you maximize the amount of sunlight that reaches the open areas of the site. Although it takes a large area, the #2 memorial plaza sceme which is walled in by low-'wall' buildings could be in itself a powerful memorial, especially when placed next to a few super tall buildings. It appears to keep Grennwich steet running through it. I think the least successful plans are the schemes like #6 which save the towers foorprints (cross shaped paths over them) as separate plazas. It breaks the site up too much.

In terms of the buildings and fitting in with what exists there now, I like 6 best. But, at the same time, it would be nice to have a large green space (such as in #1), not only as a memorial, but to provide open space for concerts and other large public activities (of the sort that the Islamics would like to put a stop to forever). I agree that none of them are really stunning, but they're a start.

And on nights that the park isn't being used for concerts and the like, other "public activities" will take place -- drug-dealing, public sex, roving gangs of teen thugs and so on.

Another interesting thing is that the WTC towers were so high that they cast a shadow over much of lower Manhattan. It appears to me that the shorter and more open design of these new towers will be fitting because it will make lower Manhattan feel lighter and more open, and will invite more people into the area - thus bringing back its life and activity, which is something else the Islamics hate.

Oh please. I live right there and that's just not true.