December 13th - December 17th, 2010

G.O.P. Moves to Block 9/11 Bill

December 13 –  The Downtown Express reports Members of the New York Congress delegation were trying to secure support for the passage of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act before the New Year. The bill, named after New York Police Department detective James R. Zadroga, is designed to provide continued annual funding to health care centers for sick 9/11 workers, as well as those who lived and worked in the contaminated area for months after the attacks.

130 Liberty Down to Final Three Floors

December 13 –  The last remaining structure damaged on September 11, 2001 is nearly gone. The former 40-story 130 Liberty Street tower this week stands at just three floors above grade. Crews are making quick work of final steel and concrete removal, which will bring the structure down to street level by January 15, 2011 (pending weather conditions).

MTA Launches New Fulton Corridor Business Webpage

December 17 - With more than three dozen businesses located around the future Fulton Street Transit Center, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is lending a helping hand during construction. This week, the agency launched the new “Shop Fulton Street” business-listings webpage that includes the majority of businesses in the vicinity, along with their locations and contact information.

Charges Dropped in Imam Attack

December 17 – DNAinfo reports most of the charges against Albert Melendez, 30, from Harlem, and Eddie Crespo, 28, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority officer from Staten Island were dropped. The pair were of men were accused of attacking an imam in a downtown subway station this month.

LMCCC Executive Order Extended

December 17 – Originally set to expire on December 31, 2010, New York Governor Patterson and New York Mayor Bloomberg have renewed the Executive Orders extending the city-state agency through the end of 2013, reported DNAinfo. The downtown agency coordinates over 22 million square feet of construction projects, addresses construction related quality-of-life complaints and monitors noise and air quality.