Freedom Tower: safe enough?

Developer Larry Silverstein said he will gladly address security concerns about the Freedom Towers design brought by the NYPD this week

Although no specific issues were made public by the New York Police Department, Silverstein Properties is working diligently with all concerned to make the building that will become America's icon of freedom at Ground Zero as safe as possible. "We have worked for more than a year to design the Freedom Tower in accordance with the Port Authority's extremely rigorous safety standards, which far exceed all applicable building codes," said Bud Perrone, a spokesman for World Trade Center developer, Larry A. Silverstein.

"The NYPD recently raised new questions, which we are now addressing with all our governmental partners, including the NYPD."

Seven WTC is scheduled to open next summer and, as the first building completed on the WTC, it has set the benchmark in building safety for buildings that will follow.

"Safety and security are of the utmost importance to the Silverstein organization," Perrone said. "Everyone involved remains committed to achieving a spectacularly rebuilt World Trade Center that will serve as the spiritual and economic heart of a revitalized Lower Manhattan."

But the Freedom Tower--scheduled for completion in 2009--may be a bigger target than the other buildings at the WTC site, according to Tom Garry, a former NYPD lieutenant, now an account executive a Classic Security, a division of Alliance Building Services which provides security and other services to some of the city's most prominent buildings.

"In light of what happened on 9/11 in New York City and, basically, to the United States, I think it would be foolish not to think of it as a target," said Garry. "It would definitely be considered a trophy."

According to the ex-cop, each building should be considered individually as each may require different security measures, Garry said.

"Each structure has its own footprint and security needs and they vary accordingly," he said. "The Freedom Tower's needs, whether it is height or location, are different than 7 WTC."

Some reports claim the NYPD may have concerns about the tower's access and egress points for citizens entering or exiting as well as worries about facilities for emergency response personnel in the event in any kind of an emergency. During 9/11, firefighters and police had a limited area in which to setup staging areas.

"The tower is just 25 feet from the street and they recommended moving it back," said Garry, who added that other measures may be used to accommodate the NYPD's concerns, as moving the building back at this point may not be possible.

Another concern may be controlling the amount of people that will gather in the area, as well as the emergency alert system, he said

"Another concern would have to be the emergency notification process, the security system that is being put in place, communications," he said.

Consideration must also be given to the type of tenants that may be leasing space in the Freedom Tower.

"The occupant usually sets the tone for the type of security that is required or requested," said Garry. "Some companies would want to be the pioneer going into the Freedom Tower. Saying 'we are back' and it would be their signature, depending on the profile of their business."

Should a government agency occupy the building more security may be required, he said.

"In my opinion, the Port Authority, being that it's a Port Authority type of building, their offices would immediately go in there and they would more or less blaze the way."

According to Garry, the additional security measures will not delay the project significantly.

"Historically, construction projects deal with numerous changes," Garry said. "During the course of a project, any and all of the necessary security concerns will be addressed to everyone's satisfaction.

"I have great faith in the construction trades in New York City. They can get anything done. And I also have faith in Homeland Security and the New York City Police Department Counter Terrorism. I think the right attention will be there and, if there is any delay, it will be minimal."

The architects for the Freedom Tower are Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP, with WSP Cantor Seinuk providing structural engineering services and Tishman Construction Corp the construction manager.