| | The World Trade Center : A Small but Happy Footnote  The story begins with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, an agency created in 1921 by a formal agreement between the two States. Those not familiar with the geography of the region may not know that most of New York harbour is located in New Jersey. Add to that the truly enormous passenger and vehicular traffic between the two States and it is not surprising that a bi-State public corporation was created to maximize cooperation and jointly create and administer the bridges, tunnels, three airports and terminals in a circle within a 25 mile (40 km) radius of the Statue of Liberty. The Authority is not financed by tax dollars but lives off the tolls and fees which it earns from its activities. It has, and continues to operate, not only landmarks such as the George Washington Bridge and Kennedy International Airport but also more mundane facilities  such as the major Manhattan bus terminal, and a short railway line (PATH) under the Hudson River. But in spite of its good record as builder and administrator and its thousands of employees, it did not have an impressive headquarters or other focal point.
While the official reason for the construction of the huge World Trade Center (WTC) was to spruce up lower Manhattan, I believe it was also to put the Authority on display. A project such as this, not financed by either State, would produce many jobs, tax revenues, and in the process, give the two governors favourable publicity. Since there was no great shortage of first class office space in downtown Manhattan, there were many voices raised against the project, particularly against its size and in favour of other priorities, such as public transportation. Nevertheless, the project designed by Minoru Yamasaki and Associates of Michigan began in 1966. The site was 16 acres and, according to an article by David Johnson and Shmuel Ross in “infoplease,” five streets were closed off and 164 buildings of various kinds were demolished. For a short time, the twin office towers were the tallest buildings in the world, and were clearly taller than the Empire State Building at 34th Street and 5th Avenue whose observation deck had been a dependable hit with tourists for generations. The towers had 110 floors and had a height of 1368 and 1362 feet (417 and 415 meters) respectively. They were the principal part of a plaza which included green space, four smaller office buildings and a hotel. Approximately 50,000 persons worked in the buildings. The construction required excavation for anchoring the structures, providing utilities, two subway stations, a PATH terminal, and parking. To achieve such an underground space, 1.2 million cubic yards of earth and rock were removed and deposited next to the banks of the Hudson River in the general vicinity of the WTC and in a long strip. This deposit was the beginning of our small but happy footnote. Both towers were destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, somewhat less than 30 years after they were opened in 1972 and 1973. Approximately 2000 persons lost their lives in the fires which ensued after the towers were rammed by civilian aircraft seized in flight and piloted by 19 Muslim fanatics. Many of the victims were police, firefighters as well as employees of the Port Authority. The tragedy of the murder of so many civilians will, however in the long run, be overshadowed by the intangible damage to the peace of mind and the behaviour of Americans. One should remember that there had not been enemy action on the American mainland since the War of 1812! In only a couple of hours, our world had changed – and not for the better.
In the 1950s there were rotting piers surrounded by dilapidated buildings in the southwest corner of Manhattan, testimony to the rapid decline of passenger ships after World War II, when travelers turned to aircraft for transportation. Building the World Trade Center was one of the projects to energize and redevelop this area. But the landfill generated by WTC’s construction provided an opportunity to create, on a smaller scale, a really outstanding riverside park for New Yorkers and visitors alike. This was no simple matter. New land was created next to a navigable river and immediately federal and city agencies and the State of New York were involved. Nothing much except discussions, meetings and memoranda took place until 1968 when the Battery City Park Authority, a public benefit corporation was created.
 From the beginning, a combination of public, residential and commercial uses was contemplated. As part of the Battery Park City Authority Master Plan, there is permanently protected open space of almost thirty acres. An architect friend of mine took me through the Park three years ago and I was so taken by it that last year I returned with a map to enjoy the walk again and to understand how the various elements fitted together. The only negative in the story was that agreements between the BPCA and the City of New York that certain profits were to be used for low-income and middle-income housing were not adhered to. Apparently only a part of the promised money was eventually used in this fashion and the agreements were not legally enforceable.
Between my visits, another non-profit corporation had been created – the Battery Park City Conservancy. The Conservancy has taken charge of all parkland of the BPCA and is supported by the residents, the commercial and residential developers, the BPCA and private donations. A New York City park not dependent on the City’s budget but which involves volunteers, amateur gardeners and donors is of course a rarity. But why was I so impressed with this place when I first saw it? One feature is a pedestrian walk that borders the Hudson for the entire length of the development. Even at the North Cove Marina, a walkway skirts around it in such a way that it keeps its proximity to the river. Wagner Park, which is the most southerly part of the development (i.e. closest to the Statue of Liberty), is bordered by a housing block and the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Next comes the South Cove Marina around which one can walk, followed by an Esplanade of about half a mile to North Cove. I use the expression “Esplanade” because the path is wide and has benches, very tasteful streetlights and wrought iron barriers to deter visitors from jumping into the Hudson. There are three mini-parks between the two marinas located inland from the Esplanade, each designed by a different architect. One of these consists of a round lawn with benches around its perimeter behind which are bushes, as if protecting the benches. Classic! There is a good deal of outdoor art and much useful and tasteful design as well as above average gardening. For example, almost all open spaces are off-limits to dogs in order to let visitors picnic on the various grass surfaces. But two dog runs are provided, one at each end of the territory. The north end of the land owned by the BPCA, Rockefeller Park, has a more traditional city park character with greenery, picnic places, basketball, handball and tennis courts. The Esplanade makes a 90-degree turn westerly from there, still at the water’s edge, past Stuyvesant High School to the regular city streets. As a former New Yorker, I advise visitors to see what cooperation, talent and money have wrought downtown along the Hudson. It is free. But if they are big spenders I recommend a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. The trip affords an unforgettable view of the harbour, the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Last time I treated visitors to the ferry, it cost 25 cents each way, but today it might even cost a dollar. | | |
