Construction of the famous Palazzo Vecchio began in 1299 in which Italian city?

Construction and maintenance costs of which New York waterway were paid for by tolls until 1882? Construction began in 1248 on which German city's Gothic cathedral near the Rhine, taking 632 years to finish? Construction of the Empire State Building began in 1930 on the former site of which hotel, which moved to Park Avenue? Construction of the Potala Palace began in 1645 in which mountainous Asian city? Construction of which Asian capital city, near Rawalpindi, began in 1961? Construction of which British cathedral on the River Avon began in 1220? Which Boston landmark was completed in 1742, a year before its builder died? Which consumer advocate urged viewers to stand up for themselves on the TV show "Fight Back!"?