A firm that led security operations for the Athens Olympics was hired Wednesday to keep the World Trade Center site safe while it's rebuilt.
Science Applications International Corp., of Reston, Va., has an eight-month contract with the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. to develop a security plan for the redevelopment of the site, Gov. George E. Pataki's office announced. The amount of the contract is still being negotiated.
Construction work began in September on the first major project at the site, a $2 billion transit hub. Groundbreakings are planned for early next year for the 1,776-foot-tall Freedom Tower and the trade center's memorial. More office towers, a performing arts center, a museum and a cultural building also are planned.
Science Applications International will work with former New York FBI boss James Kallstrom, hired by Pataki earlier this year to evaluate ground zero security, and state and city officials to coordinate the site's security.
The company ran security and surveillance systems for the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and in Salt Lake City in 2002.
