November 14th - November 20th, 2003

Greenwich Street to Reopen

Friday, Nov. 21: After 15 months of capital reconstruction work, Greenwich Street between Liberty and Rector will soon reopen to all traffic. During the fall 2001 World Trade Center cleanup effort, Greenwich was one of the streets most used by heavy construction vehicles, leaving the asphalt cracked, scarred, and potholed.

Like Rector and Murray Streets, Greenwich underwent a complete underground utility and surface reconstruction. Along with gas, steam, sewer, cable, telephone, and electricity conduits, a new water main was also installed beneath street level. Repaving is wrapping up now, and the street should be open to vehicles Thanksgiving week.

LMDC Unveils Eight Finalists for Memorial Design

Wednesday, Nov. 19: The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation unveiled eight finalists in the competition to design a permanent memorial at the World Trade Center site. The 13-member jury that will select a final design continues to deliberate. In the meantime, the designs are on public display at Lower Manhattan's Winter Garden. For complete coverage, click here.

Roy Lichtenstein Sculptures Installed at City Hall

Friday, Nov. 14: The Public Art Fund opened its latest exhibition with a presentation of four sculptures by the late pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. The pieces are Element #E from Five Brushstrokes, Brushstroke Group, Endless Drip, and Woman: Sunlight, Moonlight.

"'Roy Lichtenstein at City Hall' is a part of our ongoing effort to bring contemporary art to the city's parks, public spaces, and treasured landmarks," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement. Bloomberg thanked the Public Art Fund and encouraged New Yorkers to visit the installation sites at City Hall, City Hall Park, and City Hall Academy at Tweed Courthouse.

The pieces will be on display through October 2004. For viewing information, call 311.

Officials Observe City Hall's 200th Anniversary

Friday, Nov. 14: Officials including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum celebrated the 200th anniversary of City Hall's construction in a ceremony on the exterior plaza southeast of the building.

Highlights included the unveiling of a bluestone ground plaque that recognizes Joseph François Mangin as co-architect of City Hall with John McComb Jr. Mangin's contribution, which had previously gone unacknowledged, was confirmed by researchers from the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission and Arts Commission.

"We thought the 200th anniversary of City Hall was the perfect occasion to set the record straight," Bloomberg said.

Historical Society to Mount Exhibit on WTC Recovery

Friday, Nov. 14: The New-York Historical Society announced that it will open the exhibition "Recovery: The World Trade Center Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills" on November 25 at noon.

According to NYHS, the exhibition includes 50 photographs that trace the recovery operation at Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, as well as objects recovered at Ground Zero, art, and memorial material. The exhibition "shines a light on the many unsung heroes who worked tirelessly at the 'city on the hill' and offers a glimpse of what they found," said Mark Schaming of the New York State Museum, which worked with NYHS to coordinate the presentation.

The NYHS is located at 2 West 77th Street (Central Park West). For more information call (212) 873-3400 or visit www.nyhistory.org.