Photo by myself at the World Trade Center Memorial.
While downtown, I had to stop by the World Trade Center Memorial, which is open to the public year-round. Above, the reflecting pool by the south tower footprint. Surrounding the water are bronze plaques, laser cut with the victims' names.
It was very hot, and the grounds were full of people. I learned that the grounds keepers place a white rose by each person's name on his or her birthday.
There were a few roses there that day. It was a very quiet and touching gesture.
Related posts: Remembering Ten Years Ago, Today, Salvaged, from the World Trade Center, and Night View, at the World Trade Center.
Showing posts with label World Trade Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Trade Center. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
A White Rose, at the World Trade Center Memorial
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Calatrava's New Station, Near Ground Zero
Photo by myself at Dey and Church Streets, downtown.
Closer up to the Freedom Tower, is the delicate white spines of the new transpiration hub by Santiago Calatrava.
The new 4-billion dollar station will soon open, serving as the Path Station for commuters from New Jersey. The project is about two months behind schedule and 2-billion dollars over budget (!) The structure has been criticized heavily by the press.
The space below the sculpture is not open to the public yet.
By the way, La Guardia airport is scheduled to completely rebuilt soon, with some of its airstrips lengthened. (Completely means being demolished to the ground). The cost of that renovation? Also 4-billion dollars. Hm.
A few steps away, you can get a better sense of the overall shape.
Related posts: Remembrance, at the World Trade Center Memorial, The Freedom Tower, at Dusk, and Remembrance, at the World Trade Center.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Remembrance, at The World Trade Center Memorial
Names of all those who perished from the destruction of 9/11 adorn bronze panels at the World Trade Center Memorial, downtown. The names encircle the footprints of two reflecting pools, where the north and south towers once stood.
I visited the site yesterday, along with hundreds of other visitors, wandering around the memorial in the summer heat. Around us were the glass towers of the complex, still under construction.
Each name is cut into the metal, so that you can see through to a shallow pool of water, below. At night, light shines through the openings, which must be an incredible sight.
Overall, I was impressed by the simplicity of the memorial. All the details were well-conceived, from the mechanism that controls the waterfalls to the street lights. And of course, the sheer number of names is overwhelming.
Young oak trees are planted throughout the space, to soften the spare aesthetic of the memorial. Over time, they will grow to form a canopy around the pools. Simple stone benches are scattered throughout.
Tickets to visit the memorial are free to the public. You must go through airport security to enter, but once the memorial is completed, the barricades and security will be taken down.
To read more about the memorial and to reserve visitor passes, click here.
Related posts: Salvaged from the World Trade Center, Night View, at the World Trade Center, and Remembrance, at the World Trade Center.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering Ten Years Ago Today
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center, in the Financial District.
Above, makeshift memorials are placed near the World Trade Center site, honoring fire fighters who were killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. A ceremony for the families at the World Trade Center site is being held this morning.
In that time, New York has encountered some false alarms. Police still conduct searches outside subway stations. Subway riders are reminded to be watchful.
Every New Yorker has been affected. Every New Yorker living here at the time clearly remembers where they were that morning. Most of us know people who worked at the towers or whose family or friends worked there.
One of my high school classmates was on one of the planes. My current downstairs neighbor worked on a lower floor of one of the towers. A friend of a friend lost his wife there. They were newlyweds.
It sounds crazy, but it's still difficult to comprehend that this event even occurred.
A poem and tributes placed near the site.
Related posts: Life Goes On, Almost, Seven Years Ago and Salvaged from the World Trade Center. Read more...
Friday, September 9, 2011
Near the World Trade Center, Downtown
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center, at Washington and Albany Streets.
One of the workers at the World Trade Center took a break, Thursday morning.
Tons of people work in the World Financial Center, a group of towers near the World Trade Center site. As a result, the sidewalks are very crowded, especially during rush hour. The site itself is walled off and under construction.
In the last few days, there have been more reflections on 9/11 in the media. The ten-year anniversary is upon us. This year, the date falls on a Sunday.
In the past, the names of all the victims have been read aloud in a ceremony held at the site. It is a very long list.
The glass towers to the right are part of the new World Trade Center. The beige towers to the left are part of the World Financial Center.
By the way, the Times has an incredible slideshow of photographs showing the construction, life and end of the original World Trade Towers, online. Click here to see the slideshow.
Related posts: Night View, at the World Trade Center, Remembrance, at the World Trade Center and On Street Corners in the East Village.
Read more...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Remembering the View From Brooklyn
Photo by myself from the Brooklyn Promenade.
A photo from the stash. The view of lower Manhattan from Brooklyn Promenade, at the edge of Brooklyn.
A framed photo of the World Trade Towers is a poignant reminder of what you no longer see.
Can it be the end of February already?
Like many people, I stayed up much too late watching the Oscars on television. Shockingly, this year they ended on time!
Related posts: The City in Silhouette, Looking out from the Promenade and Looking out at Manhattan.
Read more...
Friday, January 14, 2011
Reflections from the Freedom Tower
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center, at Vesey and Church Streets.
Loads of people wait to cross the street Wednesday morning, held back by police tape. When the light changes color, the police let go of the tape and everyone is allowed to cross.
Each time I've been on this block, there's been a large crowd waiting to cross. When it finally does, the scene is a couple hairs shy of a stampede.
Vesey Street is the main route to the PATH station, next to the World Trade Center site. The PATH trains run below the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey.
In the background is the Freedom Tower, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The tower will be 82 stories tall and should be completed by 2013. Parts of the glass facade are up, causing bright reflections.
For more information, see the Freedom Tower Wikipedia page which posts ongoing progress photos.
Related posts: Salvaged from the World Trade Center, Night View at the World Trade Center and A Work in Progress.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Salvaged from the World Trade Center
This cross was left standing within the debris of the 9/11 tragedy. Now salvaged, it will join other items in the future World Trade Center museum.
Seen above, the cross was erected temporarily near the Trade Center building site. It is a quiet tribute to the victims of 2001.
After being exposed to the chicken pox virus a couple months ago, I was tested by my doctor. She told me that I was immune.
In the last few days, though, one little bump on my head led to another.
Could it be bed bugs? Mark looked at the bumps on my head carefully, then backed away, as if I had the plague. Even the dog looked at me funny.
But now there's no denying it. I am covered in red dots. Aargh!!
Fortunately I have some photos in my stash to post. This pair is both inspiring and sad.
Related posts: Night View at the World Trade Center, Six Years Ago and On Street Corners in the East Village.
Read more...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
On the WTC and My Big Toe
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center site.
Construction is progressing at the World Trade Center site.
There isn't a formal viewing platform any more, but you can get views of the site from a pedestrian walkway that traverses the West Side Highway.
There are a million differences between very high end residential projects and tall buildings.
One is that with a fancy house, you're much more concerned about protecting it than protecting yourself. You wear hard hats only for a brief time, when the house is being framed in.
When a house nears completion, you walk around wearing little booties covering your shoes. All the workers and contractor and client will do this. It looks funny, but it's to prevent the stained wood floors and carpets from being marked up.
One day at my former job, I visited a house with my boss. It was a gorgeous, formal home in Montreal, located on a hill that overlooked the city. There were heavy drapes and huge curtain rods and framed art on each wall.
Since the project had long been completed, there weren't booties available. As customary, we took off our shoes.
Except I had an enormous hole in the toe of my black stocking.
Huge. My big toe stuck out of the hole, the nail covered in a bright fuscia nail polish.
'WHAT....is that.' My boss said, his head tipped down, brows furrowed, looking over his glasses. I'm sure he had never seen a big toe sticking out of a stocking before.
'Uh....'
That day I hopped around behind pieces of furniture. Eek!
Related posts: Night View at the World Trade Center, Architecture, A Glorified Profession and Trinity Church, At Dusk.
Read more...
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Night View at the World Trade Center
Photo by myself of the World Trade Center site.
Cranes were silhouetted against the night sky, Monday evening, making for a dramatic view.
For those visiting the World Trade Center site, be forewarned. There doesn't seem to be a viewing platform of the construction now. The large platform in front of Century 21 on Cortlandt Street is gone.
Many streets in the area are blocked off or covered in scaffolding. It's best to bring a map and compass to you can find your way around!
I'm not sure how many people actually live near the World Trade Center. It's not your typical neighborhood. The scale of the buildings is large, many of the buildings house offices that close up after rush hour, and there are few visible amenities.
Battery Park City, a complex of modern apartment buildings, is within walking distance across West Street. BPC is a jam-packed with young families and enjoys a prime location by the water.
Related posts: Life Goes On, Almost, On Street Corners in the East Village and Seven Years Ago.
Read more...
Monday, July 28, 2008
A Work in Progress
Photo by myself of the construction at the World Trade Center, along the West Side Highway.
Several cranes were on the site, having completed the basement levels. The only direction now is up.
Mark and I drove into the city on Sunday for errands and lunch. We passed by the World Trade Center where construction is in full progress. Several cranes were swinging to and fro, carrying building materials.
Later we drove down Second Avenue. For blocks, traffic was reduced to one lane, due to street repairs. Steel plates were being positioned in place, new bus shelters were being installed and a policeman directed traffic.
The city is a living, growing thing. It's not just the fabulous mix of people, but their backdrop as well.
Related posts: The Beginning of The End, Building For a Greener Environment and Six Years Ago.
Read more...
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