| The first steel beam that will support the weight of office space was erected Thursday at 7 World Trade Center. The occasion marked the first beam of its type to be raised since the 9/11 attacks. "7 World Trade Center was the last building to go down, and it will be the first building to go up," said Gov. George Pataki, at a ceremony marking the occasion. "Raising steel beams here at 7 World Trade Center is emblematic of yet another milestone on our aggressive timetable," Pataki said. Larry Silverstein, the leaseholder of the site, said that the building’s steel will be topped out by the end of 2004, with it being completed by the end of 2005. Pataki, Silverstein and the building’s architect David M. Childs signed the white beam, while throngs of workers in blue, hard hats called on these high-profile men to sign their construction hats. A large crane dropped down and picked up the beam, despite the wind and rain. Hanging below the beam, an American flag was draped, which was made by local craftsman in Afghanistan to mark Sept. 11. |