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New Developments in the News

JANUARY 18, 2010




Steven Spielberg is on board to executive-produce a TV documentary on the planned WTC rebuild; a new set of energy laws will ask building owners to conduct audits; vacancy rate for Manhattan office space fell in 2009.

Director Steven Spielberg will be the executive producer and creative advisor for a six-part documentary for the Science Channel on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. According to a press release, the doc will “chronicle the uplifting, innovative re-engineering of the World Trade Center site through the eyes of the people…charged with making One World Trade Center and its surrounding area a reality.” The press release made no mention of the current reality, which is mired in controversy over finances, design and missed-time-tables.

Last month, the New York City Council enacted four new laws—to go into effect in July of 2010 at the latest—that establish a New York City Energy Conservation Code. The new set of laws will impose significant new obligations on building owners in the energy area.

Cushman & Wakefield’s year-end report for 2009 indicated that Manhattan office space vacancy rates had declined to 11.1 percent in December, “an important sign of stability.”