Opinion

Address controversy over tallest building

Posted June 15, 2013 5:00 am

“Recently on ‘60 Minutes’ and then later on NBC’s Nightly News, Scott Pelly and Brian Williams announced to their watching audiences that 1 WTC was now ‘ ... the tallest building in the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere.’ I don’t think this is quite accurate. The spire hoisted atop 1 WTC made it only the tallest structure. The Council On Tall Buildings hasn’t yet spoken but when it does I believe the conclusion will be that Willis Tower is still the tallest building in the hemisphere as it has been for almost 40 years.

“Where has all the ballyhoo and bragging been all these years? Sears and Willis have been silent on the subject as far as I can see.

“I enjoy your programs and WTTW.”

I wrote this note to WTTW Chicago. I’ve seen little or nothing about the controversy concerning the tallest building in the U.S. Very seldom in 40 years has the U.S. press reported that the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The iconic Empire State Building has been shown in millions of images since 1974.

I’d like to see the controversy explained in depth. The Petronas Towers in Malaysia were deemed taller than the Sears Tower because of pinnacles atop the structure. Can the controversy be resolved?

Arthur Aman

Arlington Heights

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