Participate
LMDC is committed to fulfilling its mission through an inclusive, open, and transparent process that takes into account the opinions of those affected by the February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks, and the other constituencies that have an interest in the future of Lower Manhattan.

Current Initiatives

130 Liberty Street Public Participation
To receive meeting notices and other future announcements regarding the deconstruction project sign up for the 130 Liberty Street E-Update. Click here to sign up for the E-Update.

To view answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the deconstruction project click here.

Recent Initiatives

Partial Action Plan No. 11
On December 8, 2005 the LMDC released Partial Action Plan No. 11 which proposes the allocation of $177,894,736.84 for the World Trade Center Memorial and Cultural Program and Cultural Enhancement Initiatives. The LMDC accepted public comment on this Partial Action Plan from December 8, 2005 until January 6, 2006. For further information on this Partial Action Plan or other LMDC funding initiatives click here.

Proposed Refinements to the WTC Memorial and Redevelopment Plan
On April 4, 2005 the LMDC released Proposed Refinements to the World Trade Center Memorial and Redevelopment Plan as well as a Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Determination of Non-Significance. The Proposed Refinements would introduce several refinements to the physical forms and operational aspects of the approved World Trade Center Memorial and Redevelopment Plan. These refinements were necessary because the approved plan was a generic, preliminary design and engineering led to certain adjustments and refinements based on aesthetics, commercial viability, cost, and practical considerations. Many of these refinements are described in the proposed General Project Plan amendments that were open for public comment through March 10, 2005. An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Proposed Refinements has been prepared by the LMDC and based on this assessment LMDC has determined that the Proposed Refinements will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment or a significant adverse environmental impact not already analyzed and disclosed in the FGEIS for the approved plan as detailed in the FONSI. To view the EA and FONSI click here. The public comment period for the EA and FONSI was open through May 6, 2005.

Draft Funding Allocation Framework Release and Public Comment Period
On April 13, 2005 the LMDC released a report called, "Guiding the Process: the Public Dialogue and Lower Manhattan Revitalization Initiatives." This report demonstrates how the public discourse has shaped the funding process throughout the Lower Manhattan revitalization effort, details all of the funding allocation made to date, and summarizes all of the public dialogue received at LMDC sponsored events. Included in the report is a draft Funding Allocation Plan developed to guide the use of remaining LMDC funds. The Allocation Plan articulates principles and objectives, priorities, and allocation categories for the remaining approximate funding. To view the report click here. The LMDC accepted public comment on the report through May 1, 2005. The LMDC also held a Public Hearing on the draft Funding Allocation plan on Wednesday April 27th at 6:00 PM at the U.S. Customs House at 1 Bowling Green.

Amended Partial Action Plan No. 7
On March 3, 2005 the LMDC released an Amended Partial Action Plan No. 7 which proposed the allocation of additional funds in the amount of $43,039,780 for the WTC Memorial and Cultural program related to the acquisition and deconstruction of 130 Liberty Street and $2,265,251 for Planning and Administration. The comment period for this Plan was held from March 3, 2005 through April 1, 2005. For further information on this Partial Action Plan or other LMDC funding initiatives click here.

General Project Plan Amendment/Eminent Domain Procedure Law Public Comment Period and Public Hearing
On December 27, 2004 the LMDC released the General Project Plan (GPP) Amendments for public comment and also announced the intent to acquire the property at 140 Liberty Street as well as portions of adjacent streets around this site. A combined public hearing to solicit public comment on the proposed Amendments and the proposed acquisition under the Eminent Domain Procedure Law and the Urban Development Corporation Act was noticed and held on January 26, 2005 at 6:00 PM at St. John's University at 101 Murray Street New York, New York 10007. The public comment period for the General Project Plan Amendment was open from December 27, 2004 to March 10, 2005. For further information on the General Project Plan Amendment/Eminent Domain Procedure Law please click here.

Public Input Shapes the Process

Since its inception, LMDC has received an unprecedented amount of public comment from all over the world regarding the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, the creation of a permanent memorial, and the revitalization of Lower Manhattan. During the comment period in the first phase of the planning process for the World Trade Center site, LMDC received over 10,000 comments from around the world. During the Plans in Progress campaign, LMDC received over 15,000 comments on the Innovative Design Study for the World Trade Center site and the draft Memorial Mission Statement and Program.

Comments continue to be received through a wide array of sources, such as Advisory Council meetings, faxes, letters, e-mails and the LMDC web site. LMDC reviews and records every comment that is submitted by a member of the public and all comments become part of the official record.

Advisory Councils

Several Advisory Councils representing a broad spectrum of groups affected by the World Trade Center attacks - including victims' families, business owners, and downtown residents - regularly consult with LMDC on issues of concern to their respective constituencies. LMDC also conducts public hearings and other outreach initiatives, participates in Community Board meetings, and continuously meets with community groups, civic organizations, and public officials to ensure the opinions of those who were affected are taken into account.

Public Meetings

LMDC regularly conducts Public Meetings, which provide an avenue for the public to express their thoughts and concerns. To date, LMDC has held ten public meetings and sponsored "Listening to the City," which drew over 4,000 participants. At these meetings, participants can submit comments in writing, using comment cards. Each comment is recorded and becomes part of the official record.

Exhibits

LMDC has organized several public exhibits to educate and involve the public in the rebuilding process.

On January 14, 2004 the LMDC reopened the exhibit "From Recovery to Renewal" at the Winter Garden in the World Financial Center. The exhibit displays a comprehensive timeline that highlights the numerous steps taken in the rebuilding process over the past two years. The exhibit showcases models of the site plan created by Studio Daniel Libeskind, the "Freedom Tower" collaboratively designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and Daniel Libeskind, and the selected memorial, "Reflecting Absence" designed by Michael Arad and Peter Walker. The exhibit will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Click here to see images of the "Reflecting Absence".

On November 19th, 2003 the LMDC unveiled the exhibit showcasing the eight finalists chosen in the World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition. The finalists were selected by a 13 member jury and chosen from 5,201 design submissions. The eight memorial designs were on display at the World Financial Center Winter Garden from November 19th, 2003 through January 6th, 2004 (click here to view slides of the eight designs)

On December 18, 2002, as part of the comprehensive "Plans in Progress" campaign, the LMDC opened a public exhibit that displayed the nine design concepts, known as the Innovative Design Study for the World Trade Center site, at the World Financial Center Winter Garden. This exhibit ran through February 2, 2003 and was visited by over 100,000 people. Over 8,000 public comment cards were submitted to LMDC during the exhibit.

On July 24, 2002, an exhibit displaying the six initial concept plans for the World Trade site opened at historic Federal Hall in Lower Manhattan. Over 17,000 people visited the exhibit, which closed on August 30, 2002. Visitors were invited to submit comment cards and, by the end of the comment period, nearly 1,000 brochures were received by LMDC via this exhibit.

Other Outreach Efforts:

LMDC utilizes additional avenues to inform the public about its initiatives and to solicit public participation and feedback. Other outreach efforts include:

Mailings

LMDC frequently sends mailings to groups such as victims' families, elected officials throughout New York State, civic and community organizations, and other interested parties. These mailings include information on LMDC's public outreach efforts, notices of public meetings and exhibits, LMDC studies and other documents distributed for public comment, and questionnaires.

Public Libraries

In December 2002, LMDC produced a video documentary on the Innovative Design Study as part of the Plans in Progress campaign. The documentary focuses on the seven design teams that participated in the Innovative Design Study, and their visions for the World Trade Center site. The videos are available at every public library branch throughout New York City. During the public comment period - from December 18, 2002 through February 2, 2003 - members of the public could also obtain public comment brochures at each library branch to send directly to LMDC. The public libraries continually disseminate information about LMDC's public exhibits and other initiatives.

Newsletter

LMDC issues a quarterly newsletter highlighting ongoing revitalization efforts and articles geared toward the Lower Manhattan community, which is distributed to locations throughout Lower Manhattan, as well as over 20 businesses. LMDC also regularly issues an e-newsletter to keep the public informed about LMDC's latest initiatives. If you would like to sign up for the e-update, click here.

Website

LMDC's website contains up-to-date information on the LMDC's planning and funding initiatives, the creation of the World Trade Center memorial, and other efforts. The public can provide feedback directly to the LMDC through the web site. Use our online forms to submit your comments.