Why hasn't construction on the new Freedom Tower started yet?

Question

I've been living outside the U.S. for a few years now so maybe I missed the simple explanation. I remember hearing that the new tower was supposed to be a symbol of America's drive and hope for the future. That it show the world that the United States wouldn't bow to fear and intimidation. So what happened? What's the acceptable reason the government has given to explain why there is nothing but an empty lot where the newest wonder of the world should be under construction?

Answer 1

Construction started 4 years ago.

Preliminary construction started July 4, 2004.  Foundations and below ground locations were started in 2006.  It's expected to be completed sometime in 2011.

You don't need to be in the US to read all about it and the progress on Wikipedia  --  complete with pictures.

Answer 2

Halliburtan has most of the contracts and Cheney can't serve on Halliburtan's Board of Directors until January 2009.

There is concern that little d**k will stage a military coup d’état and hole up in the West Wing with his trusty rifle if Obama wins.

In that case, the Freedom Tower may never get built.

Answer 3

There really isn't an acceptable reason.

The entire complex was rented to a single property owner/manager a Mr. Silverstein if I'm not mistaken and the last I heard he was in direct opposition to the Mayor, the secondary tennants (the Port Authority), and the Governor of New York with regard to whom controls what exactly will be built.

He felt strongly that his architect should design and manage the building construction, vs. a national/publicly selected design firm. I believe they eventually settled, as of either late last year or early this year as to the overall design.

The basic construction will take some months to get off the ground (so to speak) and will be finished by 2011 or 2012.

Wiki - Freedom_Tower

Answer 4

The Freedom tower is owned by Silverstein who acquired the rights 6 months prior to the events of Sept. 11.  There are countless issues and other developers challenging numerous aspects of this re-build.  The litigation is time consuming and costly.

Answer 5

I think the slow construction is to pull out the time so that we are post September 11, 2001 10 years.