John Zuccotti, co-chairperson of Brookfield Properties Corporation and one of the strongest proponents of building a vehicular tunnel under West St., told Downtown Express Wednesday it does not matter to him whether the tunnel is built adjacent to the World Trade Center site and Brookfield’s World Financial Center, as is currently being considered, or if it is extended south of Warren St. as has been proposed by Goldman Sachs, The investment bank does not want a tunnel entrance ramp near the site it hopes to build its new headquarters.
Madelyn Wils, a board member of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. and chairperson of Community Board 1, has said the 1 1/2-block tunnel extension would add about $150 million to the estimated $860 million costs.
Zuccotti, said it will be up to Gov. George Pataki to decide on the best West St. plan. He sounded less certain about the tunnel being built than he has in the past, saying it is possible Pataki will choose the no-tunnel option.
Save West Street Coalition, a neighborhood group, opposes the tunnel because of the safety near the ramps, the costs, and the construction disruptions. The group says if the Goldman option is picked, it will require a new environmental impact statement.
–Josh Rogers
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