Hurricane Irene failed to cause any major damage at the site of the 9/11 Memorial, which is still on course to be dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The memorial will then open to the public on September 12, 2011.
In a series of Tweets during the weekend storm, Memorial director Joe Daniels re-assured the public that, despite the heavy rain and high winds, Irene did not flood the site or damage the property. The 225 trees on the memorial plaza also came through without damage.
“The Memorial has weathered tropical storm Irene, and it remains as strong as the hundreds of men and women dedicated to building it,” said Daniels in an official statement released Monday. “And true to its name, the Survivor Tree is standing tall at the Memorial.
“I would like to recognize the efforts of the Port Authority and Memorial staff who worked together to help ensure this national site of honor and remembrance will open in September on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and for generations to come.”
The location of the site in designated flood Zone A — the most flood-prone areas of the city — had nerves frayed as the hurricane stormed towards the city on Saturday.
The city’s department of buildings had shut down every construction site in New York, however, it was feared 65 mph winds could topple tower cranes, 13 of which are located at the WTC.
Tishman Construction, the construction manager for One World Trade Center, continued inspections there on Monday as work resumed on reaching 1,000 ft. by next weekend’s anniversary.
John Gallagher, director of public affairs and vice president, said, “Extensive preparation by all personnel on each project ensured that the entire site came through very well.
“Any water entering was handled by pumps brought in for the event. Equipment is being checked and put back in service with any necessary repairs. There were no problems of any significance.”
The 3.5-million-square-foot tower will ultimately stand 1,776 feet and incorporate the latest innovations in life safety systems, structural engineering and environmental responsibility.
The project is aiming for LEED Gold certification through the use of renewable energy sources, low energy HVAC solutions, high performance façades, non-ozone-depleting chemicals, sustainable materials and rainwater collection and recycling systems.
The rebuilding effort has been chronicled by Hollywood producer Steven Spielberg in a two-week 9/11 anniversary tribute on the Discovery & Science Channel.
‘Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero,’ is a series of six 1-hour programs filmed over the past two years that captures footage of construction crews at work.
The 9/11 Museum is expected to open next year. One World Trade Center should be complete by January of 2013.
In preparation of the 10th Anniversary the annual construction embargo has also been released.
It is scheduled to begin Sunday, September 4 at 12:01 a.m., and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September
http://www.rew-online.com/2011/08/29/all-systems-go-at-wtc-site-as-irene-scurries-out-of-town/
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