World Trade Center replacement unveiled

NEW YORK - Officials in New York yesterday unveiled a revised design for the Freedom Tower to be built on the former World Trade Center site vowing that the changes will better protect it from possible terrorist strikes.

The city was forced early in June to send the plans back for revision after the police department raised concerns that it remained too vulnerable as a possible terrorist target.

It was seen as another setback in the effort to rebuild the devastated site that has been beset by political and bureaucratic squabbling.

Under the new plans, the tower will still reach the symbolic height of 1776 feet - to echo the year of American independence.

It will now sit on a reinforced and bomb-resistant cubic base that will be clad in luminous materials, probably combining stainless steel and titanium.

Crucially, the entire structure will now be removed by 90 feet from West Street, the main north-south thoroughfare at the site, rather than by just 25 feet under the original plans.

The police department insisted that the earlier proximity to the road was an invitation to car-bomb attempts.

"It is unique, yet it subtly recalls, in the sky, the tragedy that has happened here," said David Childs, the architect charged with completing the redesign.

- INDEPENDENT