May 16th - May 20th, 2011

Seaport Museum Will Change Leadership

Monday, May 16 – The Seaport Museum New York will soon replace its’ leadership working with State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, reported DNAinfo. The attorney general’s office oversees nonprofits and became involved in order to protect the museum’s assets.  The current president, Mary Pelzer is expected to be replaced as part of the transition strategy as a plan is being developed to include financial sustainability.

Conde Nast to Lease at 1 WTC

Tuesday, May 17 – Conde Nast publisher of more then a dozen magazines including; The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Vogue and Architectural Digest has agreed to rent 1 million square feet at 1 WTC, reported The New York Times. The 25-year lease calls for them to take floors 20 through 41 and pay $60 per square foot per year.  They are expected to move in the beginning of 2014.

Study Surveys Evacuees as the Fled WTC Towers

Wednesday, May 18 – A study that reviewed how people fled the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 was released. In an effort to understand how decisions were made by the evacuees and their ability to cope with the risks they faced based on the information available to them. “Planning has to be adapted at every level to meet the need for sudden action in a catastrophic situation,” according to the authors.  The report was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Two Downtown Firehouses Face Closure

Wednesday, May 18 – The mayor’s latest budget proposal calls for the closure of Engine 4 at 42 South Street and Ladder 8 at 14 north Moore Street, reported DNA.info. While there is only one other Manhattan location, sources report this is only a preliminary list and nothing is final yet.

Lower Manhattan Commercial Rents Rise

May 19 – The Real Estate Board of New York released a report indicating Lower Manhattan has attracted increased interest from retailers. The Broadway segment from Battery Park to Chambers Street in the Financial District saw a 23% increase in asking rents to $184 per sq. ft. That is a 36% increase compared to spring 2010. The visible signs of progress at the World Trade Center site is credited with the spike.

New School Planned for Peck Slip Post Office

May 20 – Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott announced the city is planning a new elementary school at the site of the Peck Slip Post Office. After months of negotiating between the city and United States Postal Service to purchase the property, talks are considered very close, reported DNAinfo. The Department of Education has yet to decide whether the school will be renovate the current structure or build something new on the site.