Donate $25 for two DVDs of the Cryptome collection of files from June 1996 to the present Natsios Young Architects 24 April 2008 Cryptome: At a UN session on April 23, 2008, the UN's head of its plan for rehabilitation of the complex, said the design intent is to retain the look of openness of the UN by providing security measures that do not frighten the public, in contrast to the new US Mission building across the street. The US Mission to the UN design uses cast-in-place (or precast) white concrete as an exterior finish material. The dots on the exterior facade are indentations left after removal of the concrete formwork metal ties -- a feature long-used in concrete finishes, initially used by Louis Kahn in the 1960s. Note gradual enlargement of windows at higher floors. A curvilenear canopy is to be provided at the street-level entrance, apparently with a glass-enclosure. There are several blast-resistant glazing systems available. One uses flexible glazing with a durable sandwiched membrane between glass layers and may be backstopped by cabling. One type is being installed at a federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan where the once-highly-vulnerable entrance is being replaced by a new anti-blast version. These are used where substantial street setbacks are not feasible. There may be more blast-resistance interior walls behind the glazing. Other blast resistant facades employ durable metal screens as blast diffusers, backed by more durable interior walls. One of these is used at 7 World Trade Center, and something similar has been considered for the Freedom Tower, both at Ground Zero. These transparent and filigreed designs are intended to reduce the bunker-like effect of public buildings while providing blast protection. In contrast to built measures, the NY Police Department prefers the use of uniformed police, undercover cops, spies and heavy armaments for protection. There is fierce competition for public funds for counterterrorsim between NYPD and the public agencies responsible for structures. NYPD refuses to advise on built counterterrorism measures until the latest possible time, as with the Freedom Tower, then recommends draconian design changes under guise of reducing policing requirements. No agency has the guts to challenge NYPD with its masterful machine for scaring the public thanks to ex-CIA operations chief David Cohen, publicity-averse spying czar. NYC visitors: It is far easier to get into the UN, NYC's highest-profile iconic-target, than fear-smeared public and private structures in the city. Beware transit systems -- which are largely unprotected, thanks to NYPD and the commercial security industry toothless grandstanding. Tip: Avoid the Times Square subway complex for a radius of 1 mile. Related: http://wcbstv.com/local/machine.guns.subway.2.707398.html August 24, 2008 Machine Gun-Toting Officers To Patrol NYC Subway M4 Carbine Rifles, MP5 Submachine Guns & Bomb Sniffing Dogs Part Of New "Torch Team" Anti-Terror Efforts Magee Hickey NEW YORK (CBS) -- More protection against terrorists is coming to a subway station near you. Starting Thursday, special bomb teams, known as "Torch Teams," will be toting submachine guns and bringing bomb-sniffing dogs onto the platforms and into the trains. CBS 2 HD was out first thing Thursday morning on the lookout for these significant security measure improvements. It's a first for mass transit in the United States. NYPD officers, armed with rifles, submachine guns, body armor and bomb-sniffing dogs will begin patrolling the city's subway system thanks to a 50 percent increase in a homeland security grant. The city's massive subway system has long been considered a potential terror target. Six officers and a dog will constitute a team, patrolling all platforms and trains in 12-hour shifts. The "Torch Teams" will be toting MP5 submachine guns and M4 Carbine rifles that are used by Navy seals and FBI hostage-rescue teams. The teams are being paid for by $151 million from the Feds. Similarly equipped NYPD units, known as "Hercules Teams," have patrolled Wall Street, the Empire State Building and other aboveground city landmarks for years as a response to the World Trade Center attacks. A police official likened the "Torch Teams" to "Hercules Teams" with MetroCards. In this age of heightened security, commuters and keen canines will share the underground world of mass transit. Photos by Cryptome taken April 23, 2008.

US Mission to the UN Eyeball

New US Mission Plan http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=40.750571~-73.968614&style=h&lvl=19&tilt=-90&dir= 0&alt=-1000&scene=1655682&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Following photos by Cryptome taken December 2007. 7 World Trade Center Metal Screen at Base. Interior is visible through the screen. Behind is a Con-Edison substation. These fins are triangular in section. Two layers are provided. Retractable bollards.