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WTC development may be in 2003
11/30/2001
By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS NEW YORK — The man who will oversee the redevelopment of lower Manhattan said
Thursday it is unlikely that construction at the World Trade Center site will
begin within the next year. John Whitehead, the incoming chairman of the new Lower Manhattan
Redevelopment Corp., asked for patience in rebuilding the site destroyed by two
hijacked jetliners on Sept. 11. ``This is a huge undertaking,'' said Whitehead, a former co-chairman of
Goldman Sachs and former deputy secretary of state under President Reagan. ``We
want it to be done right. We want it to be done well.'' Workers continue to tear down the remnants of the trade center complex while
searching for the remains of more than 3,000 victims and evidence. Because of the time-consuming work, Whitehead said any plans for starting to
rebuild in 2002 ``would seem a little optimistic.'' The 11-member agency will decide how to spend federal money earmarked for the
trade center site and will make business retention decisions in lower Manhattan.
The board will also have a role in mapping out downtown's transportation system,
including the rebuilding of the subway and commuter train lines damaged or
destroyed in the attack. Seven members of the board were appointed by Gov. George Pataki, while four
were selected by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Board member Lewis Eisenberg announced Thursday he would leave his position
as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He steps down Dec.
13 but will remain on the six-member commission. The port authority owned the World Trade Center complex and operated its
headquarters there. It also runs the three major airports and other
transportation outlets in the region.
Associated Press Writer