Lower Manhattan's Charles Maikish

Charles J. Maikish has come full circle, back to Lower Manhattan, where he spent most of his real estate and construction career. Maikish, formerly EVP of JP Morgan Chase’s global real estate services practice, was recently appointed executive director of the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center, a role in which he oversees the rebuilding of Downtown. It’s an appropriate gig for a man who spearheaded the reconstruction of the World Trade Center after the 1993 bombing. At the time, Maikish was director of the World Trade Department of the Port Authority and engineered the massive feat of getting the 1.2-million-sf complex back on line. It’s not surprising then that Maikish would view the attacks of Sept. 11 through a uniquely personal and well-informed filter of experience. It is no less surprising that he would relish the opportunity to be a leading contributor to its revitalization. In a recent, exclusive interview, he looked back, and then ahead.

GlobeSt.com: What essentially is your role?

Maikish: The role is to lead the command center and facilitate the reconstruction of Lower Manhattan, to mitigate the impact of reconstruction on the community and to communicate ongoing information to the community.