Progress Reported at Former Deutsche Bank Building

New York, NY —

After multiple delays and a blaze that killed two firefighters, there now appears to be progress on the project to dismantle the former Deutsche Bank tower in Lower Manhattan. The building's facade is being removed. And by the end of this month, the remaining 26 stories of the former 40-story skyscraper will be fully de-contaminated. Also, the state's Lower Manhattan Development Corporation has just submitted its demolition plan to the City -- that should clear the way for the deconstruction phase to be finished by next Fall. In August 2007, firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia were killed in a blaze at the site. Investigators found the fire was sparked by a cigarette, and spread because a standpipe had been removed. The Manhattan district attorney's office is considering charges in the case.