Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Process Poses Challenges

NEW YORK CITY-”It’s important for the real estate industry to understand the process and what you can do,” said Charlie Maikish, executive director, Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center, during a CoreNet breakfast meeting dealing with the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan. Maikish, who was selected earlier this year to oversee all construction projects in the area, said Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg have taken “undue criticism” over the redevelopment progress.

“I’m not slapping a sign and say ‘under construction, do not enter.’ We need to address the burden, obstacles and the opportunity.” He said there will be a “vast amount of construction in a small amount of time.” The peak construction time is expected to be in 2007, 2008 and 2009. With the Deutsche Bank–130 Liberty St.–site expected to be coming down in the late summer and early fall, he expects the activity in the area will generate some excitement. Part of his job is to coordinate efforts to avoid the impact of the various projects. “We need to make sure we don’t impale, impede Lower Manhattan’s mobility.”