Silverstein Letter Blasts WTC Designs

"It is imperative for the economic health of the city and the region that the office space destroyed on Sept. 11 be replaced," the letter states, later specifying that the redevelopment efforts must "respect the lessees' obligation to rebuild the 10 million sf of office space and a total of 600,000 sf of retail space."

Silverstein also throws cold water on the latest batch of designs. "None of the plans as currently configured presents a viable and safe vision for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site in a manner that satisfies all of the criteria developed by LMDC or all of the criteria that are necessary to assure that the rebuilt World Trade Center is not only architecturally distinguished but secure for tenants and responsive to their needs," he states in the letter.

The developer has been conspicuously quiet on the design issue up to now, repeatedly stating that he would reserve comment on the rebuilding effort until he was presented with a concrete plan. Meanwhile, he commissioned 7 WTC-designer Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to come up with a plan for the site. Last week, Skidmore bowed out of the ongoing site plan competition.

The letter refers to Silverstein's right as leaseholder "to select the architect responsible for preparing rebuilding plans," and that the insurance payout on the twin towers represents the only private-sector funding available for rebuilding. "Consistent with our lease obligations, we are committed to dedicating the proceeds of our insurance recovery--a recovery that will total $6.7 billion, plus prejudgment interest--to rebuilding and satisfying all our other contractual obligations."

LMDC officials have been quoted as saying that while they "respect Larry Silverstein's opinion," they disagree with the developer's contention that the recent designs just won't work.

In a second letter to Whitehead, sent Friday afternoon, Silverstein notes that he is "dedicated to building spectacular, architecturally distinguished buildings at the World Trade Center site that will be recognized world-over as new landmarks of our city." Written following a phone conversation with Whitehead, Silverstein's letter refers to the 7 World Trade Center design, which allows for the reopening of Greenwich Street, as "tangible evidence of our commitment to excellence," and states that "our commitment to reinvigorate life at street level and restore the skyline has not wavered.