Repair work will start soon to fix a jagged gash across the front of the mold-infested Deutsche Bank building, but the company said no final decision has been made about what to do with the black-draped structure that looms over Ground Zero.
Work has already begun to create a platform for a construction crane next to the building, at the corner of Liberty and Greenwich streets, on the south edge of Ground Zero, said a Deutsche spokeswoman.
When the crane is ready, workers will begin lifting steel into place to reinforce the gash cut into the building’s north face – from the eighth floor to the 24th floor – when it was struck by falling debris from the Twin Towers on 9/11.
Deutsche Bank and its insurers have sought to figure out what to do with the building, which became infested with mold after the destruction on Sept. 11 exposed the interior to the elements.
Local residents have been concerned that work on the building could spread the mold around the neighborhood. “Any work we do follows all health and safety precautions,” said Deutsche spokeswoman Rohini Pragasam.
Deutsche and its insurers have reportedly been unable to agree if the building should be torn down or gutted and rebuilt.