In the 18 months since the Port Authority assumed control of the Freedom Tower project from developer Larry Silverstein, some steel has risen and one shaky private tenant signed on to lease some space. Yep, it's been slow going for the 102-story office tower, much like the rest of the World Trade Center, and the Port Authority is now admitting that they are in over their heads. The Post's Steve Cuozzo reports a blockbuster today, accompanied by our new most-favorite recent Photoshop job, that the PA has met with major developers about taking the tower off its hands. In the past, the PA has said they may take on a financial partner in the troubled tower, but a partnership or long-term lease with a developer is a new and somewhat shocking strategy. Developers that have been approached include Brookfield Properties and the Related Companies, but with Brookfield's Manhattan West and Related's Hudson Yards both on the way, could either handle another massive office project? Cuozzo reports that any developer taking over the Freedom Tower would complete the project as it's currently designed, and of everyone's favorite bi-state agency, a source said, "They have their hands full with the rest of Ground Zero, and they want to clear the decks if they take over Moynihan Station." Oh boy, Moynihan Station is so screwed.
· Price of Freedom [NYP]
· World Trade Center coverage [Curbed]
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