NEW YORK (AP) A piece of the plaza that will surround two reflecting pools at the Sept. 11 memorial is taking shape.

Construction workers began laying the first concrete slab of the memorial plaza at ground zero on May 8. Approximately 170 cu. yds. (130 cu m) of concrete are forming the beginning of the street-level plaza.

The 8-acre (3 ha) memorial will ultimately form a tree-filled, cobblestoned plaza that surrounds twin reflecting pools built above the World Trade Center towers’ footprints. The owners of the site are trying to open the above-ground plaza by the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The concrete poured on May 8 is near the reflecting pool being built over the north tower footprint.

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