LMDC says WTC project on schedule

Real Estate Weekly, June 18, 2003 by Barbara Nelson

The rebuilding of ground zero is moving ahead and on schedule as the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation decided whether to approve the drafting of a general project plan for the World Trade Center Memorial and cultural plan this week.

The LMDC board also decided this week on whether to begin drafting a generic environmental impact statement for the memorial and the redevelopment plan.

"Environmental impact reports as you know often hold up projects for years," said John Whitehead, board chairman. "If we stick to the schedule the environmental report will not delay the construction."

The environmental report completion date is slated for March 2004, which is in line with Gov. George Pataki's timeline for the project, said LMDC interim president Kevin Rampe.

"This would set the stage for construction to begin next summer," Rampe said.

The board also announced it would seek community input as to how it will spend the $1.3 billion remaining from the $3.483 billion in HUD funds to be spent south of Houston Street, said Jennifer Brown, LMDC assistant vice-president of pubic relations and community affairs.

"Small round-table discussions" will be held with business and community members in the communities of Tribecca, Battery Park City, Chinatown and the Lower East Side about the possible spending options of the funds. Those options include parks and recreation areas, public open areas, business and retail development and housing development, Brown said.

In other business, the board also announced its plans to step up communication with businesses and residences in the downtown area.

To keep people abreast on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center several information kiosks will be placed in strategic areas downtown; the quarterly newsletter will be printed monthly with increased distribution; palm cards will be handed out by LMDC on a monthly basis; and electronic newsletters will reach more businesses.

The board also discussed the residential grant program where more than 42,000 applicants applied for the program that provides financial incentives to encourage individuals to remain in, or move to, housing in lower Manhattan.

More than $175 million has been approved to date to more than 30,000 applicants. The application deadline ended May 31.