by Richard Hankin
Why has it taken so long to erect a new building where the World Trade Center once stood? While for some, Ground Zero is sacred ground on which family members died, for others, it’s nothing more than a valuable building plot in a prime location. Countless interested parties are attempting to influence the development of this area. Ultimately, however, it is a mere handful of people that pull the strings. These people are faced with an immense amount of pressure: not only do they have to make decisions regarding a very expensive property, but also to the landscape and identity of New York. So who are these men and women? 16 ACRES offers a peek into the power games that found a provisional conclusion with the opening of the Memorial Centre in September 2011.