BergerWorld: 2nd Quarter 2004

One of the most crucial aspects of emergency management is swiftly responding to an event and developing short-, medium- and long-range recovery plans. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Berger experts immediately began a dialogue with transportation and city planning officials and other stakeholders to identify and respond to Lower Manhattan's reconstruction needs. Following initial planning, the Team undertook a number of assignments focused on improving transportation access, reconstructing and rebuilding damaged structures and improving environmental conditions in Lower Manhattan.

In an effort to rebuild the many damaged buildings and ensure prompt recovery of the world's major financial center, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) undertook a comprehensive replanning effort, incorporating commercial and community needs and a memorial. To better coordinate these projects, the LMDC selected the Berger Group to create a comprehensive database to provide critical information and monitor project developments. The Berger database included information on schedules, budgets, building characteristics and plans for priority projects. To assist stakeholders in evaluating and coordinating programs, Berger also incorporated crucial background information, including census data, property values, tax records, historic designations, current and proposed community facilities, planned and potential land use, and traffic volumes and flows.

A key component of the revitalization is the reconstruction of the World Trade Center complex. Berger assisted the LMDC with the evaluation of the environmental and transportation elements of the final plans and prepared an environmental impact assessment for the new World Trade Center Memorial, including the 1776 foot Freedom Tower.

The Berger Group is also working with the LMDC to raze the damaged Deutsche Bank building. The Team is conducting a characterization study to identify and remove hazardous waste within the building prior to demolition.

In addition, the Group is also evaluating the environmental impacts of new transportation infrastructure in the area. As part of the $400 million reconstruction of the South Ferry Subway Terminal, the Metropolitan Transit Administration (MTA) selected Berger to prepare a comprehensive environmental assessment. The Team conducted air, noise and hazardous materials surveys and identified measures to reduce air and noise pollution and avoid adverse impacts to nearby Battery Park.

Berger was also selected by the MTA to complete an environmental impact statement for the proposed $750 million Fulton Street Transit Center. The transit center will provide links among 12 different subway lines, as well as the reconstructed PATH station and the World Trade Center. The Team is exploring the environmental implications of construction in the dense Lower Manhattan area, including the impact on other construction projects, historic buildings, economic activities, and noise and air quality. Berger's work on these two transportation hubs will open the way to restoring crucial transit links essential to the recovery of Lower Manhattan.

As part of the Group's ongoing assistance to the PANYNJ, Berger was selected to provide program management support for the $623 million restoration of PATH service to Lower Manhattan. The collapse of the World Trade Center damaged the PATH train station located below the complex and forced the closure of other stations along the rail line. Berger experts assisted in the improvement of the Exchange Place Station in Jersey City, allowing it to serve as a temporary stub-end terminus, the restoration of the train tunnels and the construction of a temporary WTC PATH station at the site of the previous station. As a result of the dedicated work of Berger and other Team members, these projects were finished ahead of schedule, leading the PANYNJ to select Berger as a program manager for the construction of the Permanent WTC PATH Terminal.