Oral History with Frank Sciame

Oral history interview with Frank Sciame and Jenny Pachucki on April 8, 2024.

Frank Sciame is President and CEO of Sciame Construction. In this interview, the conversation focuses on Sciame’s significant role in the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site and his efforts to ensure that the 9/11 Memorial was constructed in a fitting and timely manner. In the first part of the conversation, Sciame discusses his early life growing up in Brooklyn, his career in construction, and the founding of his company in 1975. On September 11, 2001, Sciame was at work in his office at 40 Water Street and experienced the unfolding attacks from his Lower Manhattan vantage point. He recalls the emotion he felt as he watched the harbor filled with boats answering the call to assist in the evacuation. That afternoon, he and crews of workers from one of his firm's projects went to Ground Zero intending to help with the recovery effort, but they quickly realized that the threat to their safety outweighed their limited ability to assist. 

In 2006, Sciame was asked by Governor George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to help reduce the budget for the 9/11 Memorial from $970 million to $500 million. He accepted the assignment as a volunteer and assembled a twelve-person team to assist. Sciame recounts that he first undertook a period of discovery during which he spoke with stakeholders, including victims' family members, designers, Downtown residents, Community Board members, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), and others, to understand their vision for the Memorial. He explains that he regarded their intentions as paramount as he moved forward with his cost-management work. During the interview, Sciame details the principal cost-saving initiatives he negotiated and explains how his final recommendations were ultimately adopted. He reflects on both the personal and professional fulfillment he derived from his involvement in the project and the broader revitalization of Lower Manhattan. The conversation also explores broader themes of unity in the aftermath of 9/11 and the future of New York City. Sciame shares personal anecdotes and concludes by reflecting on the importance of community and culture in New York City's resurgence.