September 20th - September 24th, 2010

Over a Million Have Visited 9-11 Preview Site

September 20- The Preview site at 20 Vesey Street, which opened a year ago, has had 1.1 million visitors. Alice Greenwald, Director of the Memorial Museum, told The Battery Park City Broadsheet Daily, about 75% of the visitors come from out of the US. Greenwald also said once the permanent Memorial and Museum opens, there will be an entry fee and the tickets will be timed entry.

Elevators May Be Used in Future Building Evacuations

September 20 – The Port Authority told Newsday emergency evacuation plans for the tower might include elevators. The National Fire Protection Association and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers are proposing standards for the use of elevators in high-rise evacuations, according to the article. A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found an estimated 3,000 people safely escaped from the South Tower using the elevators.

Security Coordination Center Activates Additional Cameras

September 20 - Over 500 transit cameras were turned on allowing the NYPD to monitor major transit hubs around the City, according to NY1. Officials say by 2011, Lower Manhattan and Midtown will be under one security net that will include over 3,000 cameras. All of the images will be viewed live downtown at a police monitoring center.

LMDC Issues RFP for Community Grants

September 23 – The agency issued an RFP, Request for Proposals, to make the money available to nonprofits and government organizations in Lower Manhattan. CB1, led by Julie Menin, has been pushing for the release of the RFP for months, according to The Downtown Express. The $17 million are funds left over from an original round of grants provided by LMDC four years ago and will go to enhance the community and cultural organizations.

West Thames Park Closing for Renovations

September 23 – Workers will be fixing the drainage system and replacing the worn-out rope in the toddle jungle gym, according to a report in The Downtown Express. The closure will run for about two weeks and start in late September or early October.