By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Mayor Michael Bloomberg would be among the visitors to an outdoor observation deck at the soon-to-be-completed One World Trade Center — that is, if there were one.
The South Tower of the World Trade Center once featured indoor and outdoor observation decks that offered sweeping views of the city and beyond.
But because of logistical issues, the new One World Trade Center will include two stories of indoor observation space on its top floors, but no outdoor deck, the developer says.
Asked about the decision during his weekly sit-down with WOR’s John Gambling by concerned caller Chris, from Staten Island, the mayor said the deck will be missed.
"People love to get that view. I remember being in the Twin Towers, Windows on the World [restaurant] and [the Trade Center's] observation decks many, many times after it was built and there was a 'wow' factor. Great tourist attraction. Not just tourists, but New Yorkers who wanted the view," he said.
While Bloomberg acknowledged the omission "must have been a business decision," he encouraged called Chris to petition the Port Authority, which is in charge.
"I guarantee I'd go look at it," Bloomberg said.
But Jordan Barowitz, a spokesman for the Durst Organization, the PA's development partner, said an outdoor deck would be near-impossible because of a planned antenna on the roof.
Unlike the Empire State building, the tower will also have no set-backs, which Barowitz said ruled out creating a deck mid-way up the tower.
"I think it would be very, very difficult," he said.
The PA announced in March that it had scrapped a plan to build a sky-deck eatery at the top of the tower reminiscent of Windows on the World, deeming it a money-loser because of the challenges of transporting people and supplies up so many stories in such a busy building.
"The logistics of it were too difficult," Barowitz added. "It’s not a good business decision."
