November 15th - November 19th, 2010

LMDC says demolition of 130 Liberty will wrap up sometime next year

November 15 - The Deutsche bank building is now down to the 4^th floor, but the LMDC told WNYC radio the building won’t be turned over to the Port Authority until early next year. According to the Port Authority, the delays have cost the agency an additional $100 million dollars they say were incurred "working around" the impact of the Deutsche Bank demolition project. In a written statement, the Port Authority said it was still operating under the assumption that, per an existing memorandum of understanding it with the LMDC, it would get the development rights for the site. Right now, officials with the LMDC are only talking about providing the Port Authority access to the site so they can complete the subsurface WTC vehicle checkpoint.

A ribbon-cutting is held at the new covered walkway at P.S. 234

November 15 - Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Principal Lisa Ripperger, school children and former City Councilman Alan Gerson took part in the ceremony, according to The Battery Park City Broadsheet. The colourful covered walkway now connects the school’s main building and its annex, shielding people from the weather.

Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo opposes a 9/11 trial in New York

November 15 -  The Gov.-elect says he's against trying the professed mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in his state. The Democrat addressed the matter for the first time in an interview with WOR-AM radio host John Gambling, a day after Attorney General Eric Holder said the Obama administration was close to deciding where to prosecute Khalid Sheik Mohammed. Cuomo simply said "no" when asked   for his opinion about whether Mohammed should be tried in New York. When asked if he would fight to keep the trial away, Cuomo said yes.

Unemployment in the construction industry dips to 2009 levels

November 15 –  The jobless rate in October was up slightly to 17.3% from September’s 17.2%, according to Engineering News Record. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics pointed out the latest numbers are an improvement from the rate of 18.7% in October 2009. The report said the buildings construction sector posted job losses in October.

More signs of progress at 1 WTC

November 16 – Gleaming steel and glass panels started going up on the ever-growing tower. Curbed.com reports the momentous construction is "putting a face on Freedom." The façade pieces are now covering a corner section of floors 20-24, started going up following a long journey from Minnesota and Oregon.

Renovations at the Landmark Fraunces Tavern are almost finished

November 16 – Gleaming steel and glass panels started going up on the ever-growing tower. Curbed.com reports the momentous construction is "putting a face on Freedom." The façade pieces are now covering a corner section of floors 20-24, started going up following a long journey from Minnesota and Oregon.

There are new concerns about the NYPD’s security plan for Lower Manhattan

November 16 – New York Post columnist Steve Cuozzo reports people Downtown are worried that the plan could cripple the area economically. Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver said, "It goes without saying that ensuring the security of Lower Manhattan is critically important, but there has to be a balance between security and the very real need for access. Right now, there is a critical need for more transparency from the NYPD about their plans."

DOE considers the Tweed Courthouse for a New Charter School

November 17 -  The Courthouse at 52 Chambers Street is destined to become a charter school, according to The Battery Park City Broadsheet Daily, but Community Board 1 feels the space should be maintained as a non-charter public school, either as an incubator or a new standalone school.  CB1 feels charter schools take away seats from public schools.

Rector Square is auctioned off in a fire sale

November 18 - The failed Battery Park City condo conversion was sold for a mere $82.7 million in a bulk sale at the New York Supreme Court in lower Manhattan. According to Crain’s New York Business, the sole bid came from the project’s largest lender Anglo Irish Bank, which foreclosed on the 304-unit Rector Square. Last year, Yair Levy's development firm, YL Real Estate Developers, defaulted on its $165 million mortgage on the building

New data shows Wall Street’s influence has diminished

November 17 – Profits on Wall Street this year should reach $19 billion, said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, about a third of the industry's unprecedented profit the year before but the fourth largest ever. However, last year, the securities industry accounted for 4.6% of all jobs in New York City and 19.5% of wages. In 2007, it provided more than 25% of all the wages. The story was reported in Crain’s New York Business.