“Build it now” was the refrain as hundreds of construction union members lined the plaza outside 7 World Trade Center Tuesday afternoon. About a dozen industry and political leaders sounded the same refrain: demanding that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Silverstein Properties Inc. negotiate an end to the stalemate over financing of SPI’s planned towers at Ground Zero.  Read more...

Thousands of unionized construction workers, plus a few elected officials, are expected to hold a rally Tuesday to pressure the two sides warring over rebuilding part of Ground Zero to reach an agreement.  Read more...

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum won’t open for at least another couple years, but the museum is starting its programming early with a speakers series targeted toward New Yorkers. Called “9/11, Today and Tomorrow,” the series will examine the continuing impact of 9/11 on everything from security to culture. The four events scheduled so far include:

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Lower Manhattan’s commercial market is remaining stable as 2010 progresses, notwithstanding the specter of massive space givebacks as financial sector tenants downsize or vacate. A report by the Alliance for Downtown New York notes that the submarket continues to boast one of the lowest office vacancy rates in the US, while the area saw twice as many retail openings in 2009 as in 2008.   Read more...

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has tapped James Connors to oversee the museum’s design and construction department. The move comes at a time when there are growing worries about whether it will be able to open by the 10th anniversary of the attack as scheduled.   Read more...