June 21st - June 25th, 2010

Developer Selection Delayed for WTC site

June 21 – The Port Authority says it will need another month to choose a developer for 1 WTC. The New York Post reported the Port Authority would not disclose why it will take longer to decide if Durst or Related will win leasing and management control of the tower.

Downtown Alliance Reveals Water Street Redesign

June 21 – The Downtown Alliance revealed plans to redesign Water Street with a planted median, similar to the one that Park Avenue is known for. According to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Water Street would be narrowed to two wide lanes with eight acres of public plazas in the hopes of attracting more tourists and workers outside.

NYU Won’t Develop Tower 5

June 21 – It looks like NYU may not be moving to Lower Manhattan. Curbed.com and DNAinfo.com report NYU can’t afford the expense; to quote Alicia Hurley, an NYU spokesperson, “Having the financial wherewithal to pursue and build a 1.3 million square foot tower is not in the cards for us.” CB1 had been coaxing the university to move Downtown; it said in a statement that Tower 5 could be mixed-use, reducing NYU’s expense.

Subway Opens at the WTC Site

June 21 – Sitting on the top of 1WTC, the $3 million pod-like Subway began serving subs to thousands of WTC construction workers. The franchise is comprised of four movable containers that will gradually be moved up as the skyscraper adds more stories, creating some fantastic views for the hard hat wearing lunch crowd. It is the most unusual location for a Subway according to the company; other strange Subway sites are a church in Buffalo and an air conditioner plant in Georgia.

Creative Proposal for Stalled Construction Sites

June 22 – It’s a ‘cool’ idea according to an international design firm, which wants to fill stalled building sites with an ‘iceberg’, a 100% recyclable structure to serve as a placeholder until the construction resumes. A report in Crain’s New York Business and on Curbed.com says the ‘iceberg’ will be made of steel beams and plastic film that will cover the property until the project is restarted. The cool interior could be used for retail or entertainment, says Woods Bagot New York, the design firm.

Performing Arts Center Moves Forward

June 22 – The Port Authority approved a package of contracts that will allow the construction of the footings and foundations for the PAC, Performing Arts Center at the WTC site. According to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, the vote means the city will pay approximately $44 million for that work, money that will come from the LMDC. Published reports add the vote signals an end to plans to build the PAC on Site 5, currently the site of the Deutsche Bank building.

More Potential WTC Remains Found

June 22 – The discovery came on the last day of the City’s sifting operation at the Fresh Kills landfill. Newsday reports 72 potential human remains were found and will now be put thru DNA testing. Some 1,830 possible human remains have been found during the course of the sifting operation which began in April of some 800 cubic yards of debris from the WTC site.

Enquirer Comes to Lower Manhattan

June 22 – National Enquirer publisher, American Media Inc., is leaving Park Avenue to set up shop at 4 New York Plaza. According to The New York Observer, the company signed for 85,000 square feet, double the square footage it had on Park Avenue.

City Names Steel as New Deputy Mayor

June 23 – Steel, a former Wachovia CEO, will succeed Robert Lieber and be responsible for projects such as Willets Point, Governor’s Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Steel’s resume also includes a 28 year stint at Goldman Sachs and 3 years as undersecretary at the Treasury under former President George W. Bush.

AC Arrives at Ground Zero

June 24 – The steel chiller plant , which is large enough to cool 700 houses, is being installed. It will provide air conditioning to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the PATH hub and the retail space at Ground Zero. The chiller will eventually provide cold air to 1.8 million square feet of space at the WTC site, according to DNAINFO.com. 

Judge Approves $712 million 9/11 Settlement

June 24 – Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein of the US District Court in Manhattan signed the historic resolution after hearing seven hours of testimony. The pact will give higher payouts to those with the most severe injuries such as asthma, according to a report in The New York Times. At least 95% of the responders who claim they have lingering illnesses must approve the agreement by September 30^th.

LMDC Plans to Release Funds

June 25 – Chairman Avi Schick, bowing to pressure from CB1, said the agency will look at distributing $20 million to small businesses, housing, education and cultural projects. The Tribeca Trib reports the agency still has not earmarked $275 million, eight years after the money was allocated by HUD. CB1 Chair Julie Menin said the money should go to towards a Performing Arts Center. Still to be resolved before the $$ can be distributed is Con Ed’s claim that it’s entitled to $174 million from LMDC for reimbursement for utility work. 

Downtown Encouraged Donate to 9/11 Memorial

June 25 – Mayor Bloomberg, actor Robert DeNiro and 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels announced “Signs of Support”, to motivate businesses to make a contribution to the 9/11 Memorial. NY1 reports in exchange for a donation, businesses would be given a special decal to display. Several restaurants, retail stores and banks have already made pledges.

New Greenmarket to Open July 1 at 2 WFC

June 25 – Battery Park City will soon have its own Greenmarket, according to The Battery Park City Broadsheet Daily. It will be located on the plaza in front of 2 World Financial Center at Liberty Street and South End Avenue. Hours are from 8 am to 6 pm.