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Trump says he'll renovate the U.N. quicker, cheaper
EFL. Ummmmmmmmm...Don, I think you're...ummmmmmmmm...missing the point here...Donald Trump, the flamboyant real estate developer who has put his stamp on everything from a Central Park skating rink to some of the priciest high-rises in Manhattan, now is offering to leave his mark on no less than the United Nations. Trump, host of The Apprentice, a reality TV show, says he is willing to oversee the renovation of the U.N.'s worn headquarters, saving the international body billions of dollars and allowing it to focus its resources on fighting famine and AIDS instead. And he'll do it for free. Just feed my giant ego. That's all I ask. "I'm offering to bring it in way under budget ... and much quicker," Trump said. "I don't want any fees. I'd like to do it for humanity." For Duty and Humanity! The landmark U.N. buildings on the East Side of Manhattan stand on land donated to the world body by financier and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. The complex officially is considered international territory and not part of the USA. The buildings, which opened in 1951, badly need repairs and updated security, said Christopher Burnham, the U.N.'s undersecretary-general for management. They are filled with asbestos and lack adequate smoke detectors and sprinklers. Hope the FDNY remembers that if there's a fire there. "Nope. Sorry. International territory. You need to call the UNFD." The U.N. has estimated that renovation of the compound, which includes the 39-story Secretariat tower and the General Assembly building, will cost $1.2 billion. The United States has offered the U.N. a 30-year loan for that amount. What's that flushing sound I hear? Trump said that U.N. officials' lack of expertise could make the price tag balloon to $3 billion. He said it should cost no more than $700 million. UN lack of expertise? Hasn't stopped them from trying to govern the world. Last week, Burnham told a congressional subcommittee scrutinizing the renovation's cost that U.N. staff would move out by June 2007 so work could begin. The renovation would be completed by 2010 or 2011. Kojo Industries says 2015. Or 2020. Maybe. Depends on the weather. Trump told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee he could start work right away, allow the staffers to stay put and finish the renovation in two years. "The renovation should be done quickly, effectively, and in my opinion, by the end of 2007," Trump said. Great. We'll announce the study group, to form the steering group, to devise the makeup of the Commission, which will form the subcommitees to research your proposal. See you in 2008. He added that moving staffers out while the work is being done is "asinine," and that when it comes to renovation, U.N. officials essentially don't know what they're doing. Well call me shocked... Burnham said the U.N. has hired a project manager and is consulting with the Government Accountability Office and firms that specialize in renovation and construction. Kojo Industries. How may I direct your call? "Congratulations," Trump said at the end of his testimony. "You've got yourself a mess on your hands, and it's only going to get worse." Trump's cutting words weren't aimed only at U.N. officials. He also weighed in on New York landlords - "there is no worse human being on Earth" - and contractors - "we have major slime in New York and much of it is in the form of contractors, and every one I guarantee you will find their way to the United Nations." Like flies to a big pile of shit... Posted by: tu3031 2005-07-29 |
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