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With some well-timed help from Governor Cuomo, Simpson Thacher was successful late last week in resolving the St. Nicholas litigation such that a much larger Greek Orthodox church will be re-built where St. Nicholas wants it at the World Trade Center site, with the Port Authority to build a platform, utilities connections and below-grade infrastructure for the church at a cost to the Port Authority of about $25 million. The platform should be ready for above-ground construction to begin by late 2013. Governor Cuomo and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios signed the settlement term sheet as witnesses. 

After negotiations with the Port Authority broke down, the Church and the Archdiocese hired Simpson Thacher to bring their case against the Port and several other defendants.  John Kouloukoundis, President of St. Nicholas’ Parish Council, credits the lawsuit with changing the outcome of the struggle. “The federal judge was clearly alarmed at what the Port Authority had done and was requiring answers,” he said. “The lawsuit was a wake-up call. It forced people to pay attention. The Port Authority knew they had serious issues they would have to answer to.”  He added, “the parish is elated and very relieved.”

The new church will be 4,100 square feet, more than three times larger than the original. “We want it to be a space open to people of all faiths and also to people who don’t believe in any particular religious faith,” said Father Mark Arey, a spokesman for the Archdiocese. “If they want a space to enter that’s quiet and meditative, they will be able to do that. Our goal is to be part of the Downtown memorial space but also part of the Downtown community. The Archbishop talked years ago — and I think he still feels this way — about having the church open 24/7. I think there’s a need for that.”

Simpson Thacher partners Mark Cunha and Paul Gluckow led the team including David Edwards and Rachel Weiss.