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THE PEOPLE’S CHOICEWe are convinced that what is being built at the World Trade Center site is terribly wrong for America — and if the truth were known about what is behind the current plan, we think that most Americans would agree. Since this website was launched in March of 2006 — a year after Donald Trump’s effort to promote new Twin Towers fizzled and with the PR offensive to ram the official plan down our throats was in full swing — an average of ten people a day for two years have signed this petition and included their heartfelt comments. Statistically that is a significant number of Americans, and they are just the tip of the support that would be there if Americans a) knew what was going on and b) thought there was a chance of correcting it. In “Sixteen Acres — Architecture and the Outrageous Struggle for the Future of Ground Zero,” respected architecture critic Philip Nobel wrote: “Though it would always run at least 50 percent in scientific polls (online it did much better), the idea of replacing the Twins never really had a fair trial…” In July 2002, a full-page New York Post headline announced what came as no surprise to New Yorkers: “Half of New York Wants The Twin Towers REBUILT”. Coming less than a year after the attacks, with many people still shell-shocked by the enormous tragedy, that was an impressive statement. Now that a new restaurant and banquet facilities are planned for the top of the “Freedom Tower” and Silverstein Properties is putting up the city’s tallest apartment building a block from the World Trade Center, the proportion would likely be a good deal higher. But, in any event, that 50% in 2002 would have been enough to put a President of the United States into office; it should certainly have counted for much more with Gov. Pataki, who forgot he had been elected, not crowned. He would not have had to take the New York Post’s word for it, if he had really been “listening to the city.” This remark on one of the “public comment cards” submitted to the LMDC in 2002 was more touching than the others, but the sentiment was shared by a great many people: “Just as I want my wife back, people want their towers back. The main difference is the latter is possible, the former, not. Walk around Times Square or the Village and look at how many photos and postcards of the Twin Towers are there for sale. I’ve even seen an NYC 2003 calendar with the WTC pictured. That’s what they want . . . don’t let today’s fears control tomorrow’s dreams.” And that’s still what people want. (We bolded the sentiment because it is the signature of the Twin Towers Alliance effort.) Unfortunately, officials were never interested in establishing what the true support was for “The Restoration Alternative.” Instead, they blotted the Twin Towers out of the official conversation, much like some Hollywood studios airbrushed them out of their movies. But, in spite of all the machinations to replace the Twin Towers, instead of rebuilding them, a poll was unveiled in February, 2007 that was pretty impressive evidence that the public really loved those buildings and, we believe it can be established, would welcome new Twin Towers back to America’s Skyline. In honor of their 150th anniversary, the American Institute of Architects unveiled the results of a Harris Interactive poll they had commissioned. Based on nominations from AIA member architects, 1,800 Americans named their 150 favorite structures across the nation — and the Twin Towers placed in the Top 20 of “America’s Favorite Architecture.” So the question is:
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