 In January 2007, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), according to "Real Estate Weekly," rejected a plan proposed by structural engineer Robert Silman, who functioned as an independent consultant, to move the staircase in its entirety.Silman estimated the move would cost somewhere between $500,000 and $700,000 to complete.Those supporting dismantling the staircase claimed such a procedure would cost over $2 million.