Billionaire developer Donald Trump has officially thrown his support behind a plant to rebuild the Twin Towers at Ground Zero in practically the same form they were in prior to the September 11 attacks with a few safety modifications.
Trump implored Governor George Pataki to discard the plans for the 'Freedom Tower' presently on the table, describing the design as 'the worst pile of crap architecture I've ever seen in my life,' according to a report published in 'Newsday.'
Wednesday, Trump held a news conference at Trump Towers on Fifth Avenue to announce his support for a 'taller, stronger, more beautiful version of the World Trade Center.'
The design, drawn up by engineer Ken Gardner and architect Herbert Belton would make the new towers one story higher than the previous ones. It would preserve the footprints of the original towers but would have improved fireproofing and more staircases and means of escape in case of emergency.
Some were skeptical of Trump's proposal at this point in the process. Tom Roger, vice president of the organization 'Families of September 11' described Trump's announcement by saying, 'It seems like a little bit of a publicity stunt and a little late in the process. We're a little surprised he'd come at this late in the stage.'
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg dismissed Trump's idea at a news conference Wednesday at a Bronx elementary school. 'He's a great guy who dreams big and talks big...But we are not going to rebuild the two World Trade Center towers.'
While it sounds as though Trump's idea will not come to fruition, never underestimate Mr. Trump when he is determined to get something done.