October 27th - October 31st, 2003

Forty Names Removed from Roll of Victims

Tuesday, Oct. 28: The official list of victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center was reduced to 2,752 from 2,792 after city officials concluded they could not confirm that 40 allegedly missing persons actually died, or even existed.

Among the names removed are persons for whom no physical remains were identified, and no evidence found that they were at the site on September 11, 2001. This group includes illegal immigrants whose employment circumstances were unclear.

The Associated Press reported that several city agencies, including the mayor's office, made the decision.

Agency Seeks Consultants for Governors Island Planning

Monday, Oct. 27: City and state officials issued a formal request for proposals, seeking to hire planning consultants for the redevelopment of Governors Island.

The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, a joint city-state agency, is charged with developing about 150 acres of the island for multiple uses, including education and public open space.

The island, located less than a half-mile off the southern tip of Manhattan, served as a federal military facility for almost 200 years. It was vacated by the Coast Guard in 1996 and turned over to the city and state on January 31 of this year.

The federal government has retained control of the remaining 23 acres, designated as the Governors Island National Monument, which is undergoing a separate planning process administered by the National Park Service.