Steve Viuker contributed to this story.

NEW YORK CITY- The Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Corp. is close to signing a deal for sublet space at One Liberty Plaza and is in the process of hiring up to 20 paid staff. LMRC chairman John C. Whitehead revealed the growing organization's move to permanent digs at this morning's meeting of the city-state partnership for Downtown revitalization, held at Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers St.

Whitehead commented on progress at the World Trade Center site and provided a status update on other Downtown properties. "There have been one million tons [of debris] removed from the site," Whitehead said. "Plans to rebuild are progressing quicker than expected. Among the other positive developments are the reopening of the Marriott hotel, the Embassy Suites and the opening next week of the Ritz Carlton hotel. Further, City Hall Park is partially reopened, mass transit and museums are returning to normal, and slowly but surely people are moving back into their apartments." In addition, Whitehead said plans are in the works to expand the WTC-site viewing platforms to accommodate more visitors.

In other LMRC news, Ira Millstein has been named pro bono outside counsel to the organization.