Pataki Promotes Downtown Recovery

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The New York Sun

As part of the city’s efforts to revitalize Lower Manhattan after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Governor Pataki yesterday unveiled one of a series of new television commercials aimed at drawing more development to the area.


Speaking before the Association for a Better New York, Mr. Pataki also announced that the four living former American presidents agreed to serve on the board that will oversee construction of a memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks.


“Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have all pledged their support for our noble cause – helping our nation heal, remember, and renew,” Mr. Pataki said.


In addition to the memorial, there are plans for a museum, the 1,776-foottall Freedom Tower, and several other skyscrapers to be constructed on the site of the World Trade Center.


The advertisements, sponsored by the Empire State Development Corporation, are to be aired starting Monday. They feature a montage of images of the destroyed World Trade Center buildings laced with examples of recently completed projects, such as the newly opened PATH station.


The ads are part of a larger effort to build public confidence that, not only can Lower Manhattan remain a vital commercial center, it can also be transformed into an urban area that will draw foot traffic and shoppers. Current plans drawn up by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation envision the area becoming a transportation hub, a cultural center, and the site of parks and open space.


“Lower Manhattan will have a world-class transportation infrastructure and a grand point of arrival that will deliver people to the World Trade Center site with unparalleled comfort and efficiency,” Mr. Pataki said.


Mr. Pataki’s speech at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Battery Park was his fourth to the association, and in it he unabashedly touted the successes already achieved.


“Since September 11,” the governor said, “75 of our largest downtown companies have made long-term commitments to Lower Manhattan. Over 1,900 smaller firms have signed long-term leases to build and grow their companies right here. In total, we’ve helped more than 15,000 companies – large and small, from professional firms to mom-and-pop retailers and restaurants – stay in business, and stay downtown.”


Mr. Pataki said the long-term redevelopment plans would bring the city an estimated $25 billion a year by 2025.


Late last month, the 750-foot-tall building at 7 World Trade Center received its final steel beam, and it is expected to be completed in November 2006. Work on the Freedom Tower, which would be the world’s largest building, is to be initiated in 2006.


The Deutsche Bank building, contaminated by asbestos as a result of the terrorist attack, is to be dismantled starting next month.


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