Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced  that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in cooperation with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, has issued a Request for Proposals for an integrated urban design and transportation planning study for Downtown Manhattan and the World Trade Center Site.

Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg also announced that the Port Authority and the LMDC will also enter into a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing their working relationship in Lower Manhattan redevelopment and transportation improvements. The agreement affirms the close partnership that the two agencies have developed.

Pursuant to the terms of the joint agreement, the PA has issued an RFP in cooperation with the LMDC.  Under the terms of the agreement, Phase I of the three-phase study is to be completed in July 2002.  It will analyze proposed transportation improvement projects and result in conceptual site development plans of up to six urban design options for the World Trade Center site.

At a meeting last week, the LMDC Family Advisory Council established committees to advise LMDC on the process and development of an appropriate memorial. That process will be put in place in July.

The Port Authority and the LMDC have also set July as the target for conceptual plans for redevelopment of the World Trade Center site, including proposals for office space, hotel, retail and service areas.

Governor Pataki said, “Working together, we will develop a comprehensive plan for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site that draws on the best ideas and reflects our commitment to build the broadest consensus possible. We must and will always remember that for all New Yorkers, but particularly for the families of those who died, the World Trade Center site must be treated with respect and dignity throughout this process.”

Mayor Bloomberg said, "The issuance of today's RFP is an important step forward as we consider the future of the World Trade Center site. Most importantly, we have developed a time frame for the process of creating an appropriate memorial. I am proud of the way that we have all worked together to break down the barriers and work together effectively and expeditiously as possible.”

Port Authority Chairman Jack G. Sinagra said, “The Port Authority, the LMDC and all the stakeholders in this collaborative process are showing the world we are determined to make Lower Manhattan a model of redevelopment. Working together, we can ensure that the result will meet the needs not only of New Yorkers, but also of all those concerned that this site be redeveloped respectfully.”

Port Authority Vice Chairman and  Empire State Development Chairman Charles Gargano said, "Under the leadership of Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg, Lower Manhattan and New York City continue to rebound, recover and rebuild.  As we move forward in the months and years to come, New Yorkers will continue to be well-served by their leadership and their ability to bring together different agencies and different levels of government as we all work towards the goal of a revitalized and stronger Lower Manhattan."

Port Authority Executive Director Joseph J. Seymour said, “The issuing of this RFP, a significant step in the process of redeveloping Lower Manhattan, illustrates the close, collaborative relationship between the Port Authority and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The RFP is in keeping with the directive from Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg that the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation bring together the resources of all stakeholders to identify appropriate redevelopment options for the World Trade Center site.”

LMDC Chairman John C. Whitehead said, “The RFP will help conceptualize the possibilities for the World Trade Center site and a reengineered transportation infrastructure that reflects our future, not our past. But from the beginning, the creation of a permanent memorial on the World Trade Center site has been our first and greatest priority. The process to be announced this summer will chart a course for creating an appropriate memorial honoring those who were lost, while reaffirming the values that came under attack on September 11.”

MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow said, “For many months now, the MTA has aggressively sought to rebuild its transportation infrastrucure in Lower Manhattan. This three phase plan provides the critical direction that will help all the agencies further enhance access so essential to the economic strength and vitality of the nation's third largest central business district. Once again, the Governor has shown his leadership in bringing us together and focusing our collective efforts to make Lower Manhattan an even better place to live and work.”

LMDC President Lou Tomson said, “Under the leadership of Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg, the many disparate interests that have a role in revitalizing Lower Manhattan have been brought together in a spirit of cooperation and teamwork. The Memorandum of Understanding evidences the unprecedented spirit of cooperation and collaboration that has taken hold at all levels of government. We look forward to working closely with the Port Authority and all of our many partners to achieve our shared goals for a revitalized Lower Manhattan. We also look forward to furthering the dialogue with the families and creating a memorial which will honor, respect and remember those lost at the World Trade Center site.”

The agreement and RFP announced today build on the work already achieved by the Port Authority and the LMDC. These accomplishments include:

• Work on 7 World Trade Center

• The interim memorial at Battery Park

• Plans for a viewing wall surrounding the site

Today’s announcement follows close cooperation in the development of the Principles and Preliminary Blueprint for Lower Manhattan, which serves as a preliminary framework for planning. Through these documents, the Port Authority and LMDC planning and design team laid the groundwork for the work, and the options, to be developed under this RFP.

The Request for Proposals identifies three overall objectives:

• To identify transportation improvements to all types of transportation systems in Lower Manhattan, including mass transit and pedestrian access
• Optimize the transportation infrastructure to best serve mixed use development in and around the World Trade Center site
• Integrate the urban planning components of land use, building types, density, pedestrian movements, into the World Trade Center site development.

The RFP will be completed in three phases:

• Phase I, to be completed by July 1, includes a review and analysis of transportation improvement projects and design plans for up to six options for the World Trade Center site.
• Phase II, to be completed by September 1, 2002, requires the further development of up to three urban design options and development of the comprehensive plan for the World Trade Center site and surrounding area.
• Phase III, to be completed by December 1, 2002, requires an urban design framework and recommended transportation improvement projects for Lower Manhattan, south of Chambers Street/Brooklyn Bridge.

Proposals are due no later than May 6, 2002.