September 28th - October 2nd, 2009

Charges dropped against a former Deutsche Bank contractor

September 28 – Salvatore DePaola, who’s been charged in the deaths of two firefighters at the Deutsche Bank building, is no longer facing charges in the improper removal of asbestos from a project in Westchester. The Staten Island Advance reports the US District Court in Syracuse dropped the charges, so federal prosecutors could continue the investigation without violating the defendant’s right to a speedy trial.  DePaola denies any wrongdoing in both cases.

The Downtown Alliance releases Greenwich Street Study

September 29 – The study recommends several changes in Lower Manhattan so Greenwich Street can run from the High Line all the way down to The Battery.  According to Elizabeth Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance, the realignment of Greenwich Street and a rezoning of the area would attract more shoppers, residents and developers. The New York Times reports the new zoning district would allow the City and State to sell air rights over the approach to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. The plan calls for an elevated park atop a ‘deck’ over the Tunnel. The idea has been talked about before by Mayor Bloomberg in 2002.

123 Washington Street Hotel nearly ready for occupancy

September 29 – Construction of the new W hotel will be wrapping up soon and The Commercial New York Observer says occupancy of the 58 story hotel-condo would start in early 2010. It’s the first new hotel-residential tower built in Lower Manhattan since 9-11.

Brooklyn Company moves to Lower Manhattan

September 29 – Waterfront Media is leaving Dumbo for Hudson Street, according to The New York Post.  The online health company is leasing approximately 36,000 square feet; a spokesman said “the floor plan is highly conducive to Waterfront Media’s creative environment.”

Ground Zero Steel returns to New York

September 30 – Steel beams recovered from the WTC site after 9-11 are being trucked back to New York from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Washington, DC. According to WTOP Radio, the beams had been in DC since 2002 as part of an investigation by NIST into the buildings’ collapse. The beams will now be stored at JFK airport along with the rest of the building remains.

Country-wide Remains on Wall Street

September 30 – Country-wide Insurance Company searched for office space in Lower Manhattan and across the East River, but in the end, the company decided to stay at its current digs at Trump’s 40 Wall Street, according to The New York Observer. The lease is for 109,000 square feet; asking rents range from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s.

Fulton Street Transit Hub contract awarded

October 1 – Skanska has been awarded a $120 million contract for pedestrian bridges, platforms and three new entrances at the Fulton Street Transit Hub, according to Reuters Business Wire.  Work will begin immediately and be completed in early 2013, with most of the work being done at night and on weekends. Skanska is already performing foundation work at the site and the company completed construction of the new Dey Street Concourse in ’08.

The office market shows signs of stabilizing

October 1 –  FirstService Williams reports monthly leasing activity in Manhattan has nearly doubled since the end of May. Asking rents are down dramatically, about 8.5% during the third quarter. GlobeSt.com also says payroll employment in the City has stabilized with a small uptick in employment over the summer. The report cited only two major transactions in the third quarter – Worldwide Plaza for $605 million and the AIG Headquarters for $150 million.

LMDC nearing $3 million in grants awarded

October 1 – The Small Firm Assistance Program, operated by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, has given out $900,000 in grants to help small businesses and another $2 million is expected to go out soon, according to The Battery Park City Broadsheet Daily.  A spokesman said there is another $3 million in the program to be distributed to help hundreds of small businesses. Community Board 1 told the paper it feels more needs to be done to publicize the program because many business owners are not aware that they qualify for the cash grants.

The City may seek control of Governor’s Island

October 2 – Nazli Parvizi, Commission of the mayor’s Community Affairs Unit told Community Board 1 last month that the City is making a renewed bid to have power over Governor’s Island. The Downtown Express reports it would be easier to fund the Island if the City is in charge of it. A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Silver told the paper, the City has not discussed the issue with him.

Pier 42 will not be used for WTC staging

October 2 – The Port Authority won’t be using Pier 42 as a staging area for construction vehicles for the WTC site. The Downtown Express reports local residents and elected officials strongly opposed the plan, citing the amount of truck traffic it would generate.  The plan now is to have contractors bring the steel in on an as-needed basis at off peak hours.

Indictments are announced in DOB scheme

October 2  –  Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau announced 49 people, including three Department of Buildings employees have been indicted for allegedly taking bribes from contractors, some of which are connected to the mob, according to a report in The Daily News. The investigation focused on the Boricua Village housing project in the Bronx. DOB Commissioner Robert LiMandri said the indicted inspectors have resigned or been fired.

Pier 40 still in need of funds

October 2 – A new ad hoc committee has been formed to come up with ideas to redevelop Pier 40 at West Houston Street, according to The Downtown Express.  The roof needs $20 million in repairs and the support piles also need to be overhauled. Several revenue raising ideas for the pier, including a Cirque du Soleil theatre, have been panned.