1 World Trade Center May Not Be Tallest Building In America

CHICAGO (AP) — Rising from the ashes of 9/11, the new World Trade Center tower has punched above New York's skyline to reach the symbolic height of 1,776 feet and become the tallest building in the country. Or has it?

A Chicago-based committee of architects recognized as arbiters on world building heights is meeting Friday to decide whether a design change affecting the skyscraper's 408-foot needle disqualifies it from being counted.

That would deny the structure the title as the nation's tallest and dim the echo of America's founding year in the tower's height.

The decision by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in Chicago could also knock that city's Willis Tower into second place in the national rankings.

The outcome will be announced next week.

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