Freedom Tower is finally above street level

It's taken a long time to get to this point, and longer to finish it. [Link]

In the old days at the World Trade Center redevelopment project, elaborately staged events almost guaranteed that whatever milestone was being announced would not happen; at least, not in the time or form heralded from the lectern.

Having learned a painful lesson in public relations, officials are now content to let actual milestones speak for themselves.

Observant passers-by have been able to spot just such a turning point, now that the massive concrete core of 1 World Trade Center, the Freedom Tower, has emerged into public view from the depths of ground zero. On Oct. 10, Collavino Construction poured 520 cubic yards of concrete, raising the top of the core 14 feet, thereby bringing it 13 feet 8 inches above sidewalk level.

World Trade Center Progress Page