9. The Bronze Parapets The Names Are Engraved On Have A Cooling and Heating System

Architect Michael Arad’s design of the bronze parapets surrounding the waterfalls were designed so the names could be touched by friends and family members. While Arad and many others thought this was moving, the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. saw a lawsuit. According to the New York Post, sources said that there was a fear the bronze would retain heat during the summer and burn whoever touched it. Likewise, they’d get frostbite from touching it in the winter with an un-gloved hand.
Choosing not to dismiss the design, the 9/11 Memorial budgeted an extra $3.5 million to install copper cooling and heating pipes behind the parapets to keep the bronze comfortable for touching year-round. After the installation was finished, the price for keeping the bronze at the right temperature came out to $4.3 million, excluding the cost of maintenance.