Federal employees, fearful of terrorist attack, sue to block move to 1 WTC

Six federal employees are suing to prevent their agency’s move to 1 World Trade Center because they’re afraid of working in a high-profile terrorist target.

The employees, who work for the General Services Administration, claim their memories of 9/11 still haunt them and say their current space at Nearby 26 Federal Plaza is more than adequate.

“I am extremely concerned about how crowded the stairwells [at 1 World Trade Center] will be in the event of a catastrophe,” GSA employee Peter Davis said.

But the prospect of terrorist attacks is only one of their concerns, according to the New York Daily News, with workers complaining that the GSA’s new space at 1 World Trade Center doesn’t have a dedicated employee cafeteria and gym.

The agency signed a 20-year, $351 million lease at the building in 2012, according to court papers, though the employees are seeking to quash the move on grounds that Congress didn’t properly vet it.

The GSA will occupy around 270,000 square feet across floors 50 through 55 at the tower. Credit rating agency Moody’s last week sealed a lease for 75,000 square feet across two floors at 1 World Trade Center, which has publishing giant Condé Nast as its anchor tenant. The building’s observation deck opened to the public in May. [NYDN] – Rey Mashayekhi