June 25, 2006

Freedom Tower's cornerstone leaves Ground Zero

Amid what seems like perpetually ever-changing plans for reconstruction at the World Trade Center site, the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower yesterday was removed from the location it was symbolically placed just before the Republican National Convention in August 2002.

Its location was 40 feet away from current plans for the Freedom Tower and its absence will now allow construction crews to excavate and build the underground infrastructure, according to the New York Times.

Since it was unveiled July 4, 2004 the cornerstone has been sitting near the PATH train station under "a blue plywood enclosure," the Times said. On Saturday the cornerstone was returned to Innovative Stone in Hauppauge, N.Y., where the Adirondack granite was cut and polished in the first place. There it will sit under Plexiglass, viewable by appointment only, for possibly two years until it's returned to Ground Zero, according to the Times.

The website for Innovative Stone has pictures and video of the cornerstone.

Earlier: NY lawmakers seek ban of Ground Zero museum fee
Scaled-back WTC Museum plans keep waterfalls
Bedrock blasting at Ground Zero to start Monday
Liberty Plaza park reopens across from Trade Center site
Lou Reed, Suzanne Vega play free concert at 7WTC
Mayor calls for $500 mln Trade Center Memorial cap
Freedom Tower construction prep work starts today
The views from atop the rebuilt 7 World Trade Center

June 25, 2006 08:28 AM in Architecture, Downtown, History, Out of Manhattan, Sightsology

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