Downtown Crowd Chides LMDC: Planning Process Inadequate

NEW YORK CITY-Dissatisfaction with the redevelopment process, deep concern about a memorial for those who perished in the World Trade Center attacks and passionate pleas to rebuild the twin towers to their original height were the three major themes expressed at last night’s first public hearing on the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan.

Hundreds of attendees packed an auditorium at Pace University for a meeting of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that was the first opportunity for community members to voice their opinions on the massive development project ahead. LMDC Chairman John Whitehead lauded the choice of Beyer Blinder Belle and Parsons Brinkerhoff to produce an urban design and transportation study for the area, and Port Authority chief engineer said the study would “produce a plan that identifies the best land uses for 16-acre site and adjoining areas.”

But attendees had a far different message for the dozen LMDC and PA representatives who shared the stage with Whitehead. While several audience members used part of their microphone time to thank city and state officials for their work, many heaped harsh criticism on the LMDC.