Ground Zero memorial plans unveiled

12 April 2012

Six similar plans for the redevelopment of Ground Zero were unveiled today, with none including structures as tall as the twin towers.

The blueprints all feature memorials and proposals to replace the 11 million square feet of office and retail space lost when the World Trade Centre was attacked.

Two of the designs include commercial development on the so-called footprints of the fallen towers, something many victims' relatives and New York Governor George Pataki have opposed.

Officials emphasised the proposals were only starting points for further discussion.

"Nothing is etched in stone, no final decision has been made," said John Whitehead, chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

"Each of the plans represents a package of proposed ideas. These ideas can be mixed and matched and reconstituted based on public input."

The blueprints all include a cluster of buildings around open space and a memorial. The highest proposed structure is 85 storeys high, compared to the 110-storey World Trade Centre.

Mr Whitehead said: "Each plan begins with a memorial acknowledging that as we rebuild, we must remember."

The final design for the tribute will be chosen from an international design competition that would draw on professionals and amateurs alike, he said.

Among the designs submitted today, "Memorial Plaza" would feature an 8-acre open space and a free-standing tower at the north-west corner of the site, while "Memorial Triangle" would create several triangular parks and triangular building sites.

"Memorial Park" would have a 6-acre park but would allow commercial development on the footprints.

Joseph Maurer, a retired firefighter whose daughter, Jill Campbell, died in the attacks, said the space where the towers stood was "sacred ground" which should not be developed.

"It's the same as Gettysburg or Pearl Harbour."An expected 5,000 people will discuss the plans at a public meeting on Saturday.

The six proposals will be narrowed down to three by September and the final choice will be made in December.

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