Breakdown in talks threatens ground zero rebuilding

The war of words between New York state officials and the World Trade Centre site’s private developer has raised questions about plans for rebuilding at ground zero.

Officials yesterday walked away from talks with Larry Silverstein, saying the 74-year-old developer had put his own interests ahead of the public’s and presented an unacceptable offer 20 minutes before a Tuesday midnight deadline.

Silverstein, who leased the twin towers six weeks before they collapsed on September 11, 2001, yesterday said he was shocked when the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the land, ended talks ordered by Governor George Pataki to renegotiate his multibillion-dollar lease.

“It is inexcusable that the Port Authority abruptly abandoned the talks without a plan to move forward,” Silverstein told a news conference.

Silverstein said he was still prepared to begin building the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, the iconic building meant to replace the trade centre, next month provided he received $3.35bn (€2.8bn) in tax-exempt bonds controlled by the state and city.