|
A View of the World Trade Center Site from the Hudson River.
The Plan for Lower Manhattan > 130 Liberty Street > Faq Acquisition Characteristics
Frequently Asked Questions
The Deutsche Bank Building at 130 Liberty Street
Q: Why did LMDC acquire 130 Liberty Street? Top
^ The Building was heavily damaged by the attacks of September 11 when it suffered a 15-story gash after the south Twin Tower collapsed. In addition to physical damage, the Building also was impacted by dust from the World Trade Towers’ collapse, smoke from the ensuing fires, and the cleanup efforts. As a result, according to Deutsche Bank, the owner of the Building at the time, the Building was uninhabitable. Deutsche Bank’s insurance carriers took a contrary position. They asserted that, like other buildings, this Building could be safely and effectively cleaned and re-inhabited. As a result of these contrary positions, Deutsche Bank became embroiled in a dispute with two of its insurers concerning the cost to repair or, if necessary, replace the Building. This dispute became protracted and eventually resulted in litigation, indefinitely threatening to prevent the repair or replacement of the Building. This delay was not in the City's interests or the interest of the residents and workers of Lower Manhattan. This delay also prevented the cleanup of the dust in the Building. Accordingly, in late 2003, Governor Pataki appointed Senator Mitchell to mediate the dispute between the insurers and Deutsche Bank. With the active support and involvement of LMDC, Senator Mitchell resolved the dispute, permitting LMDC to acquire the Building in its present condition. LMDC consented to acquire the Building, which must be taken down before rebuilding can commence, to ensure that deconstruction of the Building will be completed in a timely manner and with sensitivity to the environment and surrounding community. Without LMDC's involvement, the current owner of the Building would still be locked in a legal battle with its insurance carriers, deferring action on the Building for many months or years. The acquisition of the 130 Liberty Site is necessary for the implementation of the WTC Memorial and Redevelopment Plan insofar as it will permit the construction of bus parking, reduce density on the WTC Site by moving the proposed fifth office tower to the 130 Liberty Site, and reservation of sufficient space for the proposed memorial and cultural facilities on the WTC Site itself.
Q: What standards are being used for testing and how is it being
incorporated with testing results that have already been collected by other
sources? Top ^
Q: What are the protocols for the cleaning and deconstruction
and how do we know that those protocols will address contaminants other than
asbestos? Top ^
Q: Will the characterization be made public and be posted on a
web-site? Top ^
Q: This is an unusual deconstruction project with the level of
suspected contamination. Does former contractor Gilbane Building Company have experience with
this type of work? Top ^
Q: How will materials that are removed from the building be
removed from the site? Top ^
Q: Is the LMDC currently performing any Community Air Monitoring
to ensure contaminants are not released from the building? Top
^
Results are reviewed by the independent licensed air testing company and the asbestos TEM air sampling results are also sent regularly to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) for their review. Click here for a report of Air Monitoring Results. |