Port Authority May Take Over WTC Rebuilding

New York, NY —

Port Authority Vice Chairman Charles Gargano says the bi-state agency is in talks with the Silverstein group to buy back the rights to erect two of the four office towers at the World Trade Center site. WNYC's Andrea Bernstein has more.

It's no secret the Port Authority has wanted to limit Silverstein properties' role in rebuilding at the World Trade Center site. But Gargano said publicly yesterday what's been mostly behind the scenes -- that the Port Authority wants to take over construction of two office towers to get the project built more quickly. Gargano says Silverstein Properties has indicated that's a real possibility -- if they were appropriately compensated.

They made it clear to us that they do have the legal right to put up those buildnigs but obviously they would consider that, or I should say, be willing to discuss it.

Also yesterday Governor Pataki said the state would be approving liberty bonds for the Freedom Tower. Silverstein said in a statement that he was committed to building the Freedom Tower and one other building. But a Silverstein spokesman declined to comment on Gargano's remarks the two other towers.