The Freedom Tower

Newsday, the Long Island, New York newspaper reports that a “ray of optimism shone through the drizzle near Ground Zero Thursday with the city’s agreement to contribute to the rebuilding of Fiterman Hall, lower Manhattan’s coveted community college space that was heavily damaged on Sept. 11, 2001, and later condemned.

The $325-million project will bring about replacement of the 14-story building adjacent to Ground Zero that has been shrouded in black drapes. Body remains and toxic poisons were found inside after the collapse of the Twin Towers and of 7 World Trade Center, which actually fell on a portion of Fiterman Hall.

“This is a phenomenal day,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who along with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) announced the cleanup, demolition and rebuilding of Fiterman Hall at a news conference at the Borough of Manhattan Community College on Chambers Street, several blocks from the site.

The new building will be larger and will house additional lab, classroom and conference room space for community college students and faculty. Enrollment at the community college has grown from about 10,000 to more than 20,000 students since 2001.”