The future of redevelopment at Ground Zero is at stake in an ongoing battle between Deutsche Bank and two insurance companies over a crippled building.

The bank said yesterday that if two World Trade Center-area insurers don’t settle a dispute over the building by this weekend, it will file a lawsuit on Monday morning in New York Supreme Court.

Such a lawsuit could leave the once-proud 41-story Deutsche Bank tower at 130 Liberty St. looming for years over Ground Zero, a black-shrouded shell.

The Lower Manhattan Development Corp. considers it a key site that could help spur the area’s commercial redevelopment.

The two insurance companies, Allianz and AXA, are balking over half of the $1.05 billion it would cost to take down and rebuild the tower.

Allianz is liable for 30 percent of the building and AXA for 20 percent.

The black-glass tower suffered a 26-story gash on its front wall on 9/11, when it was set ablaze and pierced by falling debris from the Twin Towers across the street.

While four insurance companies have been squabbling over who will foot the bills, the 1.4-million-square-foot building has been open to the elements, turning it into a moldy mess and an eyesore that threatens the much-trumpeted rebirth of the downtown area, residents say.

In April, Gov. Pataki announced a plan to replace the funereal shroud with a mural that would trumpet the return of the neighborhood, but the mural was never painted.

And an American flag that was once attached to the side of the building has been torn down, leaving the battered building visible.

AXA and Allianz claim Deutsche Bank is inflating its claims and that the tower can be rebuilt for less than the bank says.

Deutsche Bank has already settled with the building’s two other insurers, Zurich and Chubb.

A spokesman for Allianz would not comment.

Shortly after Sept. 11, company chairman Herbert Hansmeyer signed a full-page ad, along with several other insurance company leaders, promising to “sort through complex issues with compassion and meet our responsibilities.”

RISING FROM THE ASHES

* JULY 2002: LMDC unveils first designs.

* FEB. 2003: Daniel Liebeskind chosen as lead architect.

* MARCH 2003: Lessor Larry Silverstein proposes office tower on top of train station.

* American Express agrees to fund Ground Zero Museum.

* MAY 2003: Silverstein wants fifth office tower. Liebeskind and Larry Silverstein agree to collaborate on Freedom Tower, a 1,776-foot office building on North-East corner.

* AUG. 2003: Officials agree on Liebeskind design for 16-acre site.

* Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava selected to design new transportation terminal.

* Port Authority agrees with Feds to build tower on North-West corner.

* Skirmishes continue over fate of damaged office building at 130 Liberty Street, south of Ground Zero.

* AUG. 8: Deutschebank to sue two of four insurers for not settling multi-billion-dollar claims.