Church surrenders lot near ground zero for $20M

NEW YORK - Leaders of a church destroyed on Sept. 11 have surrendered land needed to rebuild the World Trade Center site in a $20 million deal with the government. The congregation at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church will use the cash to build a new church a few blocks away. The church's 1,200-square-foot lot had been listed as one of more than a dozen obstacles slowing long-stalled rebuilding at ground zero. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owns ground zero, and its leadership has agreed to the $20 million price. The agency expects $10 million to come from JPMorgan Chase & Co., which has a tentative deal to build one of five office towers planned at the site. The board is expected to consider approving the sale... [read full story]