World Trade Center Redevelopment and Ship Discovery

A rare archaeological find during redevelopment of the World Trade Center has been covered by National Geographic, The New York Times, CNN, and other media companies.

While monitoring the construction of a new subterranean vehicle security center and tour bus parking facility during redevelopment of the World Trade Center, archaeologists at AKRF observed and subsequently investigated the hull of a late-18th-century ship: a rare find in densely developed Lower Manhattan that garnered international media attention.

In a compressed time period and surrounded by extensive construction activity, AKRF efficiently uncovered and documented the significant archaeological find and carefully tagged, inventoried, and removed each timber for conservation. Concurrently, we conducted appropriate consultation with government agencies and consulting parties and partnered with maritime archaeologists and other professionals to analyze the recovered vessel timbers and associated artifacts and prepare a comprehensive technical report.

A 32-foot section of the restored vessel will be transferred to the New York State Museum in Albany for public display.

Newsworthy

“‘World Trade Center Ship’ to Travel to Permanent Berth in Albany”

“Origins of mysterious World Trade Center ship revealed”

AKRF has completed numerous environmental studies for the WTC redevelopment since 2002.

Our overall support of the World Trade Center redevelopment following the September 11th terrorist attacks included the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for 7 World Trade Center, Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the Memorial and Redevelopment Project, Environmental Assessment for the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, and many other projects.

The development of a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use building at 5 World Trade Center — for which AKRF led environmental review — was approved by Empire State Development in 2022.