It’s official – plans for anything having to do with whatever replaces the World Trade Center are a big compromised mess. “Bit by bit, elements of Michael Arad’s original design for the World Trade Center Memorial have been whittled away, whether because of logistical realities at ground zero (the memorial will be built above PATH train tracks), client demands (the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation is calling the shots), the many other interests involved (the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the site; victims’ families; downtown residents) or the assorted architectural cooks (three other firms).”