Firm tells the story behind 'Freedom Stone'.When Gov. George Pataki marked the start of construction for the new Freedom Tower on July 4th, the focus of the occasion was the placement of a 20-ton piece of granite donated by Innovative Stone. Because of the enormous symbolism of this stone, the International Tile and Stone Show invited Innovative Stone to make available an exhibit about its care and preparation at the Javits Center this week. Innovative Stone's track record in successfully responding to enormously time-sensitive and historically significant projects was the primary reason the company was selected by Silverstein Properties to source, cut, polish and engrave en·grave tr.v. en·graved, en·grav·ing, en·graves 1. To carve, cut, or etch into a material: engraved the champion's name on the trophy. 2. the new cornerstone. The connection to the Freedom Tower event was established as a result of Innovative Stone CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and founder Karen Pearse's recent work with the Tower's construction director on the Time Warner Center The Time Warner Center is a mixed-use skyscraper developed by The Related Companies in New York City. Its design, by David Childs and Mustafa Kemal Abadan of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, consists of two 229 m (750 ft) towers bridged by a multi-story atrium containing upscale retail . According to Pearse, "This cornerstone is undoubtedly the most rewarding and compelling assignment in the entire history of our company. We are enormously proud to be able to help Governor Pataki and the people of New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of inaugurate the rebirth of our great city." The "Freedom Stone," as Innovative has officially named it, was unveiled on the morning of July 4th by New York Gov. George Pataki, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey at a special ceremony attended by VIPs from Silverstein, the Port Authority and architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; designer Daniel Libeskind, 9/11 victims' families and many of Innovative Stone's employees. Flecked throughout with magnificent crystals of garnet, the official gemstone gemstone Any of various minerals prized for beauty, durability, and rarity. A few noncrystalline materials of organic origin (e.g., pearl, red coral, and amber) also are classified as gemstones. of New York State, the Freedom Stone measures approximately nine feet high, five feet high and four feet wide. Other minerals in the stone are feldspar feldspar (fĕl`spär, fĕld`–) or felspar (fĕl`spär), an abundant group of rock-forming minerals which constitute 60% of the earth's crust. , quartz and hornblende hornblende: see amphibole. hornblende Any of a subgroup of amphibole minerals that are calcium-iron-magnesium-rich and monoclinic in crystal structure. , which give the stone a light-green tone from different views. In addition to donating the stone, worth approximately $14,000, Innovative Stone supervised the cutting, polishing, engraving and leafing of the inscription; transportation of the stone to Ground Zero, which was donated by RoadTex (Hillside, NJ) to Innovative, and the actual installation of the stone at the ceremony. Though the Freedom Stone may ultimately be unseen once the Tower is complete, Pearse said, "It will forever remain a symbolic connection between the overwhelming tragedy of September 11 and the recognition that we can move forward and rebuild together." "This project is a symbol of triumph and renewal. Everyone at Innovative and our partner companies who touched the Freedom Stone did so with conscious reverence and respect for those who lost their lives," added Pearse. Pearse pointed out that this project could not have been accomplished without the help of many, many people, and took the opportunity to single out Innovative Stone's project manager, Anthony Iorio, who provided round-the-clock TLC TLC total lung capacity; thin-layer chromatography. TLC abbr. 1. thin-layer chromatography 2. for the stone. This summer, Innovative Stone will introduce its first patented 'design-it-yourself' product in Expo Design Centers nationwide. Innovative Backsplash back·splash n. An upright surface or border, as of tile, that protects the wall behind a sink or stove. By Design offers consumers a fun and easy way to create and design one-of-a-kind backsplashes, highlighting their own personal style. |
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