Construction on a Greek Orthodox church to replace one destroyed in the September 11 attacks has been suspended amid financial mismanagement concerns.
The St Nicholas National Shrine next to the World Trade Center memorial plaza was to replace a tiny church obliterated when the south tower fell in 2001.
In September, the estimated cost was $50million, but that figure has soared to $78million this month.
St Nicholas issued a statement on the delay, stating: ‘In order to make certain that all operations and funds are being correctly managed, this difficult yet necessary step has been taken.’
A construction worker walks in front of the St. Nicholas National Shrine in New York. Work on the Greek Orthodox church destroyed in the September 11 attacks next to the World Trade Center memorial plaza has been temporarily suspended by the construction company
The new building was designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, who created the soaring bird-like mall and transit hub nearby called the Oculus.
But unlike the transit hub, built largely with federal transportation dollars, the church is being funded through donations including from the Greek government, Greek Orthodox church members around the world and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and the Italian city of Bari whose patron saint is St Nicholas.
In September, the estimated cost was $50million.
But according to The New York Times, the cost had jumped to an estimated $72million and then to $78million in December.
Two firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers and BakerHostetler, were hired to perform an independent investigation into the construction, according to a December 9 statement posted on the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The St Nicholas National Shrine next to the World Trade Center memorial plaza was to replace a tiny church obliterated when the south tower fell in 2001 (pictured)
The stoppage was ordered by the construction company on the project, Skanska USA, the statement said.
‘Construction at the site of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at The World Trade Center in New York has been temporarily suspended,’ the statement read.
‘In light of recent financial difficulties at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and in order to make certain that all operations and funds are being correctly managed, this difficult yet necessary step has been taken.
‘The Archdiocese is confidently hopeful that construction will recommence in the very near future and has been assured by Skanska that they are looking forward to the rescinding of this temporary suspension to continue working together in cooperation with the Archdiocese for the completion of the building project.
‘During the temporary suspension of construction at the site of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center in New York, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and BakerHostetler LLP have been retained to conduct an independent investigation of the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas.
‘These firms will report to an independent committee.
‘In addition, the Archdiocese will reevaluate its fundraising strategy moving forward and will continue to explore ways to cut costs, concurrently maintaining the historic vision of the church.’
The Greek Orthodox archdiocese, based in New York, represents more than 500 parishes across the country with more than 1.5million members of the church and 800 priests.
It reported last fall it was suffering from a ‘severe and complex’ financial deficit.
Skanska, part of Stockholm-based Skanska AB, said it had extended payment deadlines and discussed alternatives with the archdiocese to try to keep the project going but ultimately had to halt construction.
Construction workers adjust a temporary cross on the St. Nicholas National Shrine in New York
Skanska USA Executive Vice President Tom Webb said in a statement Tuesday: ‘We regret that stopping work was the only viable option at this point in time.
‘We are confident that they will find the funding to complete this work at some point in the future.’
The St Nicholas shrine, meant as a salve for the faithful and a welcoming space for those wishing to reflect, was inspired by two Byzantine shrines in Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora.
The building was to be sheathed in marble from quarries north of Athens, the vein of marble used to build the Parthenon, but the original St Nicholas was far more modest.
It housed a tavern when Greek immigrants bought it in 1919 to use as a church and was the only building not part of the trade center complex to be demolished after hijackers flew commercial jets into the towers.