The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has approved a new glass covering for the 20-story base of 1 World Trade Center, Crain’s reported. The initial plans to clad the 185-foot-tall concrete base of the forthcoming tower in special prismatic glass fell through because of manufacturing difficulty and a susceptibility to shattering.

The new glass covering will be significantly cheaper for the Port Authority. The agency will pay $37.2 million to Permasteelisa North America Corp to engineer and install stainless steel slat panels around the base and cover it with glass fins, which will reflect light during the day. That compares to the $82 million contracted for the original plans…. [more]

The priorities of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are likely to shift under its upcoming change of leadership and as the agency is undertaking a review of its  $25 billion, 10-year budget for capital projects, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Earlier this week, Christopher Ward, executive director of the Port Authority, announced that he would be resigning next month. Governor Andrew Cuomo will be leading the process to find his replacement.

“What we need to do is look at all the projects that are on the drawing board, those that are in the pipeline, those that are ready to go, those that are going and decide about priorities and timing and sequencing, and that’s part of this process,” David Samson, chairman of the Port Authority, said. “Everything is on the table.” … [more]

Scott Rechler, CEO and chairman of RXR Realty, has been appointed vice chairman of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s board of commissioners, the Port Authority announced today. Rechler also will serve as vice chairman of the board’s construction committee and as a member of its capital programs and agency planning committees.

Rechler was appointed to the board in June by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and will succeed Stanley Grayson as chairman, who resigned earlier this week.

“Commissioner Rechler’s extensive experience in private-sector management and financial issues will be a tremendous asset to the board as we continue to review our financial circumstances and our capital plan,” said David Samson, chairman of the Port Authority.
– Katherine Clarke… [more]

From left: Tom Hanks, the 9/11 memorial, Chris Ward, executive director at Port Authority, David Samson, Port Authority chairman and Alan Reiss, deputy director of WTC construction

Opening with shots of the Eiffel Tower and other monuments around the world, a short documentary created for a Washington D.C. Sept. 11 memorial event with President Barack Obama next week aims to tell the story of the rebuilding of the World Trade Center beyond the controversy, delays and disputes. The Real Deal attended a private preview screening of the film at 57 Screening Room on 140 West 57th Street.

“The tallest object always takes on symbolism that is greater than the structure,” actor Tom Hanks states in the opening moments of the roughly 10-minute film, which he narrates. … [more]