# Why Have the Twin Towers Not Been Rebuilt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 11, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448 "2010-09-11T22:36:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/21 "2010-09-12T04:02:43Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Aside from the crazy’s dude’s nonsense, tghe short version is that not many people actually wanted the ugly things put back. They were bland, unpleasant, and uninteresting. They were notable for their size and twin placement, but other than that… not a particularly beloved landmark. It was something New Yorkers apparently loved more for the remebrance value after they fell than were particualrly wanted during their lifetime. > > Thus, nobody really wanted to just rebuild them. New propsoals were floated imediately. I suppose they could have done much worse than the current idea, though it’s not really a great plan either. And I recall the very first proposals were shot down with extreme prejudice. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/22 "2010-09-12T04:06:30Z")
> [@Mozart1220](#): > > Heck, building 7 wasn’t even that badly damaged. It fell down; how much more damaged can it get? ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/23 "2010-09-12T04:08:15Z")
London had more than a couple of buildings blown up during World War 2. Did it take London over 10 years to start rebuilding? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/24 "2010-09-12T04:09:25Z")
> [@Mozart1220](#): > > > [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > > > And the WTC was hardly a 'White Elephant". > > > > [911myths](http://911myths.com/html/losing_money_at_the_wtc_.html) > > OK, you found something on the internet, but not much on WHO wrote all this. > > It didn’t even look as credible as Popular Mechanics. Feel free to contact him. I have met the man. You may not like him but do you have anything to counter his sources? > [@](#): > > Like, HOW did they get those cables all hooked up while all the chaos was going on around them? What are you talking about?! ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/25 "2010-09-12T05:25:49Z")
**Mozart1220** , fair warning: if you start talking conspiracy shit on this board, you will get your ass handed to you by all the regulars here. No one here believes the WTC was brought down by anything other than a pair of 767s piloted by pissed-off Saudis. This board has been debunking the conspiracy theories since 9/11/01 and will probably still be doing so on 9/11/99. You want to say you’re just asking questions? Don’t bother. The questions have been answered, extensively and repeatedly and the answer is there is no conspiracy. As for the OP, if the WTC towers were rebuilt as-was, would anyone really want to lease space in them? We already know what kind of impact will cause them to fail so why invite round 2? But they’d be built with modern materials and better fireproofing one might object. But the terrorists might try hitting them at 10am next time instead, when the buildings are packed with people. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/26 "2010-09-12T05:29:38Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Long story short (from past reading) is everyone and their mother feels they have a say in what goes there. The citizens, the politicians, the architects, the owners and so on. > > As a result the bickering is ceaseless and nothing happens. > [@boytyperanma](#): > > This. Except thinks have been going for a little while now. Getting anyone to agree and move forward was the issue. Now that the constructions finally started things are expected to move at a similar rate to any other skyscraper project. > > [The World Trade Center | World Trade Center](http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/index.html) This sums it up pretty well. There were disputes over what to do with the area, then they argued about who owned the land, then when a design was selected, it was tinkered with over and over again for security and practical reasons and because of the too many cooks issues mentioned upthread. There were some interesting designs proposed, but they didn’t pick the best one and then made changes that made it worse. Add in the cost overruns and the economy, and also consider this is a very unusual construction project: they’re repurposing a site, and they have to do it without causing too much disruption to everybody else in the area. > [@Alessan](#): > > Personally, I think they should have started rebuilding them exactly as they were before as soon as the dust settled. They were ugly and dated. Why do the same thing again? > [@Susanann](#): > > Did it take London over 10 years to start rebuilding? You’re confusing starting with finishing. They started rebuilding years ago, but they’re not done. And yes, I think there was still rubble in London years and years after the blitz. ---
**Author:** ![Mozart1220](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Mozart1220](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mozart1220)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/27 "2010-09-12T06:25:40Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > **Mozart1220** , fair warning: if you start talking conspiracy shit on this board, you will get your ass handed to you by all the regulars here. No one here believes the WTC was brought down by anything other than a pair of 767s piloted by pissed-off Saudis. This board has been debunking the conspiracy theories since 9/11/01 and will probably still be doing so on 9/11/99. You want to say you’re just asking questions? Don’t bother. The questions have been answered, extensively and repeatedly and the answer is there is no conspiracy. > > As for the OP, if the WTC towers were rebuilt as-was, would anyone really want to lease space in them? We already know what kind of impact will cause them to fail so why invite round 2? But they’d be built with modern materials and better fireproofing one might object. But the terrorists might try hitting them at 10am next time instead, when the buildings are packed with people. In other words, “HERE IS THE OFFICIAL STORY. DON’T ASK QUESTIONS” You people act like “conspiracies” never happen. I guess if you want to keep you heads in the sand where it’s comfortable, fine. Just remember, the more we let them get away with, the more often we’ll have to suffer these things. Sorry, President Kennedy, no one cares anymore. We have our cell phones and 60" flatscreens, we don’t care about anything else. ---
**Author:** ![EVERYNAMEISTAKEN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac8455/32.png) [@EVERYNAMEISTAKEN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EVERYNAMEISTAKEN)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/28 "2010-09-12T06:34:42Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Because it’s been nine years, and no-one knows how to react yet. > > Personally, I think they should have started rebuilding them exactly as they were before as soon as the dust settled. I agree, they should have rebuilt them already. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/29 "2010-09-12T06:42:11Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > And I recall the very first proposals were shot down with extreme prejudice. IIRC, the very first proposals were hideous. Best wishes, hh ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/30 "2010-09-12T07:12:52Z")
> [@Mozart1220](#): > > In other words, “HERE IS THE OFFICIAL STORY. DON’T ASK QUESTIONS” Nope, the problem is asking questions that were already answered many times before and acting like if they were not. > [@Mozart1220](#): > > You people act like “conspiracies” never happen. I guess if you want to keep you heads in the sand where it’s comfortable, fine. Just remember, the more we let them get away with, the more often we’ll have to suffer these things. Again, nope, in this site you need to come with evidence for your say so’s, or to be precise: you need to bring \*\*new \*\*evidence that was missed all these years because, so far, what you have mentioned was said before and explained properly many times also. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/31 "2010-09-12T07:16:42Z")
[QUOTE=Mozart1220] You people act like “conspiracies” never happen. [/QUOTE] Name one wild conspiracy theory that’s ever been proven right. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/32 "2010-09-12T07:31:39Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > [QUOTE=Mozart1220] > You people act like “conspiracies” never happen. Name one wild conspiracy theory that’s ever been proven right. [/QUOTE] Those guys never had any fucking clue what was really happening on _Lost_. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/33 "2010-09-12T07:34:23Z")
Another problem is local politics. Whatever gets built will involve billions of dollars. Everyone wants to get a touch of it. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/34 "2010-09-12T08:02:50Z")
> [@Mozart1220](#): > > In other words, “HERE IS THE OFFICIAL STORY. DON’T ASK QUESTIONS” > > You people act like “conspiracies” never happen. I guess if you want to keep you heads in the sand where it’s comfortable, fine. Just remember, the more we let them get away with, the more often we’ll have to suffer these things. > > Sorry, President Kennedy, no one cares anymore. We have our cell phones and 60" flatscreens, we don’t care about anything else. I’m disappointed at the lack of the word “sheeple”. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/35 "2010-09-12T08:14:58Z")
**smiling bandit, Marley** - speak for yourselves. I’ve always loved the Twin Towers ever since I was a child living in the city; to me, they’re an essential part of the city’s topography. New York is less that what it was, without them. Besides, it’s a matter of principle. If we could bring the dead back to life, we could; barring that, restoring the towers is the next best thing. It’s how you say “you can’t hurt us”. > [@DWMarch](#): > > As for the OP, if the WTC towers were rebuilt as-was, would anyone really want to lease space in them? We already know what kind of impact will cause them to fail so why invite round 2? But they’d be built with modern materials and better fireproofing one might object. But the terrorists might try hitting them at 10am next time instead, when the buildings are packed with people. By that logic, why work in \*any \*tall building? In fact, why leave home at all? It’s dangerous out there. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaplin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/36 "2010-09-12T09:25:15Z")
**Mozart1220** , if there was a conspiracy, something like the conversation in [this](http://www.alternet.org/story/85723/if_cheney_%26_co._had_really_plotted_the_9_11_attacks_.../) link, would have had to have taken place. I strongly urge everyone to read through that link. Not only is it interesting, well written, and well informed, but it’s the first article I’ve come across that _really_ puts offensive “truther” stupidity in perspective. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/37 "2010-09-12T10:35:35Z")
I was kinda hoping Mozart1220 was only kidding with his first post. Now, sadly, I see that he isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Mozart1220](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Mozart1220](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mozart1220)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/38 "2010-09-12T13:30:38Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Because it’s been nine years, and no-one knows how to react yet. > > Personally, I think they should have started rebuilding them exactly as they were before as soon as the dust settled. I liked the comic design I saw, which had the new buildings looking like a giant middle finger in the air. And I think we make everything WAY too “sacred” in this country. Too many people offended by everything. Remember and honor the dead, but don’t let all this make us paranoid and petty. Looking at the reaction to the community center in NYC, I see some terrorist in the desert laughing his ass off. ---
**Author:** ![Mozart1220](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Mozart1220](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mozart1220)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/39 "2010-09-12T13:32:42Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > > [@Mozart1220](#): > > > > Heck, building 7 wasn’t even that badly damaged. > > It fell down; how much more damaged can it get? It was brought down on purpose, Silverstien ordered it so. And it fell STRAIGHT DOWN, which would have been impossible without help. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448/40 "2010-09-12T14:26:46Z")
> [@Mozart1220](#): > > > [@DanBlather](#): > > > > It fell down; how much more damaged can it get? > > It was brought down on purpose, Silverstien ordered it so. And it fell STRAIGHT DOWN, which would have been impossible without help. The WTC towers fell STRAIGHT DOWN as well. Impossible, you say? The extensive video coverage seems to say otherwise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448.md?page=3)