A new transportation hub
designed to look like a bird in flight will begin opening in phases this
month at New York’s World Trade Center.
Over budget and years late, Santiago Calatrava
designed the glass structure, which has been subject to much criticism
and has amassed about $4 billion in expenses.
When the plan was proposed in 2004, officials
projected a $2 billion construction bill.
New York Magazine called it "The
Glorious Boondoggle."
“Santiago Calatrava was commissioned
to design an architectural extravagance at Ground Zero.
“He succeeded, an accomplishment that
threatens to destroy his reputation,” NYM writes.
Trains & Planes
The most amazing thing about a building
shaped like a bird in flight is that it was built to serve as a railroad
station, which will eventually handle 200,000 commuters every day.
In the 1940s, airlines in New York City
gathered en-masse in offices and ticket counters, and even an Airlines
Terminal across 42nd Street from Grand Central Station, the great railroad
hub of the greatest city in the world.
Later, when they could stand it no more,
Pan Am built a sprawling skyscraper that lorded over the beautiful, iconic
train station. Today it is known as the MetLife building; it still obliterates
the view up and down Park Avenue.
Now, in 2015, it seems as if the ghost of
competition between railroads and the airlines gets one more jolt as we
witness the erection of a train station shaped like a bird.
Well, why not?
Imagine if pigs could fly?
Your move.
Geoffrey
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