"The Silverstein organization is available and willing to resume intensive around-the-clock discussions as soon as the Port Authority is ready," Silverstein Properties said in a statement. "This temporary setback can and must be overcome. With Governor Pataki's leadership, and with the good faith efforts of all parties, we believe we can quickly finalize an agreement that will assure a speedy rebuilding of the World Trade Center."

In his state of the city address earlier this year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg had called on Silverstein to hand off responsibility for building Towers 3 and 4, in exchange for a reduction of its rent. Bloomberg asked the Port Authority to commit to occupying one of the towers, while working to identify a developer for the other, so that all projects could proceed simultaneously at the same time. Pataki then asked representatives from the Port Authority, which owns the site, and Silverstein to work out a plan that would advance the rebuilding effort. For previous coverage, click here .