Living and working downtown in coming years will mean watching historic Lower Manhattan transform into one of the country’s most vibrant and accessible neighborhoods. Along the way, questions may arise on any number of topics. This section breaks down which public and private organizations are in charge of specific elements of downtown and city-wide construction projects, along with the best ways to contact them.
In general, most questions from residents, business owners, and employees can be directed to 311, the city’s round-the-clock information hotline for all five boroughs. Every day, 24 hours a day, operators are available to answer questions, direct calls to specific agencies, and log complaints for virtually any topic -- from garbage pick-ups and parking details to traffic updates and business incentives. Translation services for 170 languages are available, and out-of-state callers can access 311 by dialing 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675).
New York City:
Department of Buildings (DOB)
DOB is responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the city’s building codes and zoning resolutions. To do so, DOB reviews construction and demolition plans, issues building permits, performs inspections, investigates complaints, and more.
Contact: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/home.html, (212) 566-5000 or 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls)
Department of City Planning
The Department of City Planning manages the city’s physical and socioeconomic planning, including land use, environmental review, technical assistance, and information sharing among government agencies, public officials, and community boards. It carries out land-use analysis; issuance of special permits; changes in the city map; the acquisition and disposition of city-owned property; the acquisition of office space for city use; site selection for public facilities; urban renewal plans and amendments; landmark and historic district designations; and community-initiated plans.
Contact: http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dcp/home.html or (212) 720-3300
Department of Design and Construction (DDC)
DDC manages the city’s construction projects, including work on streets and highways, sewers, water mains, correctional and court facilities, cultural institutions, libraries, schools, and other public structures. It coordinates a wide variety of construction projects with utility companies, community representatives, and private industry and works to minimize construction costs and neighborhood disruption.
Contact: http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/ddc/home.html or 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls)
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
DEP’s main work is to protect and preserve the environment of New York City and its upstate watersheds, which supply the city with 1.3 billion gallons of fresh clean drinking water every day. It operates the city’s wastewater treatment facilities, operates and maintains the water mains and sewers, manages asbestos and hazardous materials mitigation, and collects water and sewer fees. Since September 11, 2001, DEP also has been in charge of monitoring air quality, construction noise, and hazardous materials in Lower Manhattan.
Contact: http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dep/home.html or 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls)
Department of Sanitation (DOS)
DOS performs many essential services that keep New York City clean -- from collecting garbage and recyclables to cleaning streets and clearing snow from roadways. DOS also enforces the city’s environmental laws, addressing infractions such as littering and illegal dumping. It employs the country’s largest municipal environmental police and enforcement squad and is the nation’s largest and most diverse cleaning and collection agency.
Contact: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dos/home.html or 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls)
Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
The mission of SBS is to support the formation, growth, and expansion of New York City’s small businesses through city-wide programs and services, neighborhood development, and financial and economic opportunity.
Contact: http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/home.html or 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls)
Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT manages much of the city’s transportation infrastructure, including city streets, highways, sidewalks, and bridges. DOT is responsible for installing and maintaining street signs, traffic signals, and street lights; resurfacing streets; repairing potholes and other street defects; installing and maintaining parking meters; managing municipal parking facilities; and operating the Staten Island Ferry. It supervises the private bus companies’ agreements with the city, oversees private ferry operations on city-owned piers, issues parking and construction permits, and manages the city’s Adopt-a-Highway program. DOT also promotes safe travel by bicyclists and pedestrians and offers programs to foster traffic-safety education.
Contact: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/home.html or 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls)
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
EDC is the city’s not-for-profit business and economic development agency. Through financing initiatives, real estate development, property management, and transportation and waterfront divisions, EDC helps local businesses become more competitive, productive, and profitable through incentives like bonds, grants, loans, and more.
Contact: http://www.nyc.gov/html/edc/home.html, info@nycedc.comor (888) NYC-0100
Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
The nation’s largest municipal housing agency, HPD protects and expands housing options for New Yorkers by working to improve the city’s availability, affordability, and quality of housing. The agency works with private, public, and community partners to strengthen neighborhoods and enable more New Yorkers to become homeowners or to rent well-maintained, affordable housing.
Contact: http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/home.html or 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls)
Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center
The Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center was
created by Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg
via executive order in November 2004. Headed by Acting
Executive Director Robert Harvey, the Command Center
is responsible for facilitating, coordinating, and
sharing information about construction projects south
of Canal Street.
Contact: Robin Forst, director of community
relations, (212) 442-3726 or rforst@lmccc.nyc.gov
Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC)
The LMDC was created in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, by Governor George Pataki and then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to help plan and coordinate the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan, defined as everything south of Houston Street. The LMDC is a joint state-city corporation that works with its partners in the public and private sectors to coordinate long-term planning for the World Trade Center site and surrounding communities while pursuing short-term initiatives to improve the quality of life in Lower Manhattan during the revitalization effort.
Contact: http://www.renewnyc.com or (212) 962-2300
Click here to learn more about these and other New York City agencies, or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK for out-of-state calls).
New York State:
Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center
The Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center was
created by Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg
via executive order in November 2004. Headed by Acting
Executive Director Robert Harvey, the Command Center
is responsible for facilitating, coordinating, and
sharing information about construction projects south
of Canal Street.
Contact: Robin Forst, director of community
relations, (212) 442-3726 or rforst@lmccc.nyc.gov
Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC)
The LMDC was created in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, by Governor George Pataki and then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to help plan and coordinate the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan, defined as everything south of Houston Street. The LMDC is a joint state-city corporation that works with its partners in the public and private sectors to coordinate long-term planning for the World Trade Center site and surrounding communities while pursuing short-term initiatives to improve the quality of life in Lower Manhattan during the revitalization effort.
Contact: http://www.renewnyc.com or (212) 962-2300
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
As North America’s largest transportation network, the MTA helps billions of people and vehicles get around New York and Connecticut every year. The MTA is a “public-benefit” corporation established by New York State in 1965. It operates New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, Staten Island Railway, MTA Long Island Bus, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels and manages MTA Capital Construction projects. The MTA is currently starting work on the new, $750 million Fulton Street Transit Center and is exploring design and construction options for a new South Ferry subway station.
Contact: http://www.mta.info, http://www.mta.info/capconstr/fstc/ for Fulton Street Transit Center, or (718) 330-3322 for customer service
New York City Transit (NYCT)
NYCT is the largest agency in the MTA regional transportation network, operating buses and subways throughout the five boroughs 24 hours a day and serving approximately seven million riders daily.
Contact: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/ or (718) 330-1234 for travel information
New York State Department of Transportation (SDOT)
SDOT coordinates state-wide transportation policies, developing and operating transportation facilities and services for highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways, and aviation facilities, as well as administering public safety programs. In New York City, SDOT is responsible for Route 9A (West Street), including the South Promenade reconstruction project.
Contact: http://www.dot.state.ny.us, www.route9a.info for Route 9A, or (518) 457-6195
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority manages and maintains bridges, tunnels, bus terminals, airports, PATH, and the seaport around New York and New Jersey. It is the owner of the World Trade Center site and is leading the reconstruction of the new WTC PATH station.
Contact: http://www.panynj.gov, http://www.pathrestoration.com for PATH, or (212) 435-7000
Click here to read more about New York State agencies.
United States:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA leads the nation’s environmental science, research, education, and assessment efforts. Established in 1970, its mission is to protect human health and the environment by working for a cleaner, healthier environment across the United States.
Contact: http://www.epa.gov or (202) 272-0167
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is the federal agency that prevents, prepares for, and responds to emergencies and disasters nationwide. After September 11, 2001, FEMA was directly involved in Lower Manhattan’s recovery efforts and continues to fund some of its rebuilding projects.
Contact: http://www.fema.gov, (202) 566-1600 for general information, or (800) 480-2520 for FEMA publications
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
The federal government, through the FTA, provides financial assistance to develop new transit systems and improve, maintain, and operate existing systems. FTA oversees thousands of grants to hundreds of state and local transit providers, primarily through its 10 regional offices, to help manage their public transit systems -- including buses, subways, commuter rail, monorail, ferries, and trolleys.
Contact: http://www.fta.dot.gov
Click here to read more about United States agencies.
Private Companies:
Consolidated Edison (Con Ed)
For more than 180 years, Consolidated Edison Company of New York has been supplying the energy that powers New York. Con Ed provides electric service throughout New York City (except for a small area of Queens) and most of Westchester County, as well as natural gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens and Westchester. Con Edison also owns and operates the world’s largest steam system, serving most of Manhattan.
Contact: http://www.coned.com or (800) 75-CONED
Verizon Communications
Verizon is one of the nation’s largest communications companies and operates most of New York City’s telecommunications system. In the months following 9/11, Verizon quickly repaired the widespread damage to Lower Manhattan’s telecommunications network by helping the New York Stock Exchange resume trading less than a week after the attacks and by restoring small businesses’ phone service and transferring phone numbers to temporary locations.
Contact: http://www.verizon.com or (212) 890-0200 for business and (212) 890-1550 for residential
Empire City Subway (ECS)
Empire City Subway Company, Ltd., (ECS), a wholly-owned sbusidiary of Verizon New York, was founded in 1890 and specializes in subsurface engineering and construction services.
Contact: (212) 274-0740 or email ecsc@verizon.com for the customer service center or online at http://www.empirecitysubway.com.
Silverstein Properties
Silverstein Properties, owned and run by Larry Silverstein, is one of New York’s most active real estate development, ownership, and management organizations. The firm is in charge of the World Trade Center redevelopment, where it will reconstruct 10 million square feet of office space. Silverstein Properties is already nearing completion on the rebuilding of the 52-story 7 World Trade Center tower, just north of the main WTC’s 16 acres.
Contact: http://www.silversteinproperties.com or (212) 490-0666
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