Alliance vp gives ways to promote infrastructure improvements

Real Estate Weekly, Feb 26, 2003 by Shirley Jaffe

As the redevelopment process for the World Trade Center site advances it is important to retain focus on the recovery of Lower Manhattan as a whole. The complex economy of Lower Manhattan -- from residential housing and retail services to budding industry sectors -- must be fostered to position Lower Manhattan for the 21st Century.

Above all, however, The Alliance for Downtown New York believes that the future strength of Lower Manhattan will only be ensured by long-overdue investment in transportation and infrastructure.

Lower Manhattan is the third largest business district in the country. During the past two centuries, tens of billions of dollars in private and public money have been invested in developing this commercial center. It is a critical engine of New York's economy, but its potential has been severely limited by the public sector's failure to invest in the regional transportation infrastructure required to retain and attract a high-end work force at world-class companies. These improvements, including commuter rail and airport access, would make Lower Manhattan more accessible for tourists and residents as well as workers.

Investment should be made in Lower Manhattan's telecommunications infrastructure as well. While Lower Manhattan remains the most wired central business district in the world and while local telecom carriers have recently upgraded their equipment, more can be done to ensure the reliability of telecommunications services Downtown. Voice and data services clearly should be made redundant, with transmission cables duplicated within buildings, and between all customers and central offices. Improvements such as this will further differentiate Downtown as a superior location for growth.

In addition, wireless technology now offers a means to enhance the reliability of telecommunications service in Lower Manhattan by providing an alternative that is separate and distinct from terrestrial service. Equipment should be installed on Lower Manhattan rooftops to enable data that normally travels via underground cables to travel safely through the air in the event of an emergency.

Enhancing the Waterfront is another way to ensure the long-term economic health of Lower Manhattan. New York City has begun to revitalize the Hudson River Waterfront after years of debate, and the East River Waterfront continues to hold enormous promise. Potential for open spaces, residential development and redevelopment abound in this area -- a vision that has been embraced by New York City.

In the summer of 2002, the Downtown Alliance, in partnership with Community Board 1, released a comprehensive plan for the East River. The plan created 35 new acres of open space Downtown by turning the FDR Viaduct into an urban balcony similar to the celebrated Brooklyn Promenade. The plan also proposes rehabilitating historic slips into neighborhood open spaces by reclaiming parking lots for neighborhood parks and gateways between the water and the city. Transportation to the Waterfront could be further enhanced by providing new locations for expanded ferry traffic, and better coordination of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Positioning Lower Manhattan as a vital 21st Century district is a challenging task. A thoughtful and comprehensive plan to reconstruct the World Trade Center while also enhancing transportation and infrastructure Downtown will ready the area for the future and ensure its economic health for decades to come.