Report details neighborhood outreach forum results

Results from a series of neighborhood outreach workshops held this summer by the City of New York and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation were released this week, revealing the opinions voiced by workshop participants about the types of projects and funding initiatives considered most important to the revitalization of downtown communities.

The workshop series focused on six Lower Manhattan neighborhoods -- the Financial District, Battery Park City/WTC site area, City Hall/Seaport District, Chinatown, the Lower East Side, and Tribeca/Soho/Little Italy -- and drew 369 stakeholders, among them residents, business owners, workers, and representatives from neighborhood civic organizations and cultural institutions.

Individual workshops revealed neighborhood-specific themes. For instance, participants in the Chinatown workshop cited the need for initiatives focused on improving sanitation, reopening Park Row, and supporting tourism, while those in the workshop on Battery Park City expressed concern about the future of West Street and called for improvements in "way-finding" signs throughout the neighborhood.

However, several common themes were echoed from one workshop to the next. Asked to comment on neighborhood concerns, participants across the various workshops cited a need for greater civic and community amenities -- specifically ones that would increase the safety of neighborhoods without reducing the quality of life and preserve neighborhood character and history -- and more affordable housing.

On the topic of public spaces, workshop participants shared the views that projects should increase the amount of open space, address safety in their design, and bring greater beauty to Lower Manhattan. Many participants voiced interest in the preservation and improvement of parks, the development of waterfronts for public use, and the support of public markets, as well as the creation of additional space for artists and cultural events.

When asked to cite general criteria considered important to any potential project, participants throughout the workshops felt strongly that projects should improve the quality of life for current Lower Manhattan residents, maintain neighborhood identities, and be environmentally friendly. Other key concerns included encouraging 24/7 neighborhoods, benefiting low-income people, and reducing unemployment.

From January 20, 2004, through February 28, 2004, the LMDC is encouraging Lower Manhattan residents, business owners, and civic and community group representatives to review the report and provide comments on the feedback that emerged from these workshops. To provide comments on the neighborhood priorities outlined in the report, please click here.