WTC developer OKs new rebuilding plan

NEW YORK, Apr 26: World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein accepted a new rebuilding plan crafted by New York state, New York City and New Jersey because he believes ''New Yorkers have waited long enough,'' his top aide today said.

''Silverstein decided that the most important thing here is not the government's economic deal but the rebuilding going ... ASAP,'' Janno Lieber said.

The site's rebuilding repeatedly stalled after the deadly September 11 air attacks that toppled the World Trade Center in 2001.

Court fights over how much insurance Silverstein would get were followed by tussles over security, and most recently, the site's vision was rethought after Mayor Michael Bloomberg demanded more apartments, shops and even a hotel.

It was not until mid-April that governors George Pataki of New York and Jon Corzine of New Jersey and Bloomberg agreed on a new plan they presented Silverstein, telling him negotiations were over.

If the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the 16-acre site, finalizes the new accord, Lieber said construction of the Freedom Tower could begin in days or weeks. The Freedom Tower is the most important symbolic reproduction of the World Trade Center.

But Silverstein raised concerns, noting that he should not be penalized if the Port Authority takes too long to dig a new bathtub, needed to keep the Hudson River from rushing in.

Reuters