Now that 1 World Trade Center has opened for business, more attention will go to another building with conspicuous civic purposes—the Oculus pavilion at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.
"With its long steel wings poised sinuously above the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub has finally assumed its full astonishing form, more than a decade after it was conceived," writes David W. Dunlap to commence an expose about "one of the most expensive and most delayed train stations ever built."
As the total cost for the Santiago Calatrava-designed hub approaches $4 billion (with $655 million of that total coming from administrative costs), even the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has expressed his doubts about the choice to build such an expensive facility. Patrick J. Foye is quoted in the story, speaking in October: " We would not today prioritize spending $3.7 billion on the transit hub over other significant infrastructure needs…"
The article includes details on the development of the hub as well as animated graphics and a time-lapse of construction. The building, also known as the "Calatrasaurus" has already provoked scathing reviews.
Read the full story: How Costs Soared at the $4 Billion Train Station for the World Trade Center
Mixed Reviews for Calatrava's WTC Transportation Hub—Now Open to the Public
A section of the $4 billion World Trade Center Transportation hub, designed by Santiago Calatrava, opened to the public today. The project has already inspired controversy, and will likely continue to do so.
Review Pans World Trade Center's 'Calatrasaurus' Transportation Hub
Steve Cuozzo absolutely eviscerates the under-construction World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York City, designed by Santiago Calatrava.
NYC Secures Funding for Midtown Bus Terminal Replacement
The aging Manhattan transit terminal, the world’s busiest, will receive a $10 billion revamp and expansion.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority