January 16th - January 22nd, 2004

Design for WTC Transit Hub Unveiled

Thursday, Jan. 22: Officials unveiled the plan for the WTC Transit Hub designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. The $2-billion project will replace the temporary WTC PATH station and features an underground concourse connecting 14 subway lines. For complete coverage, click here.

Chinatown Celebrates Lunar New Year

Thursday, Jan. 22: An outdoor ceremony in Chinatown's Chatham Square marked the arrival of the Year of the Monkey -- lunar year 4702. For complete coverage of Lunar New Year celebrations taking place downtown, click here.

Tax-Free Shopping Week Announced

Thursday, Jan. 22: On January 26, the city and state of New York will begin its seven-day tax reprieve on clothing and footwear items costing less than $110. These items will be exempt from New York's 8.625% sales tax through Sunday, February 2. New York also offers tax-free shopping in August for the back-to-school season.

Environmental Impact Statement for Ground Zero Approved

Tuesday, Jan. 20: The LMDC unanimously approved a 2,000-page draft of the environmental impact statement regarding potential effects of the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site, the New York Times reported.

The report, which was required by the state and federal agencies funding the rebuilding project, favored the benefits of the rebuilding efforts over its drawbacks and offered recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate potential environmental repercussions, according to the Times.

The report will be available for public review at three downtown New York Public Library branches, the Humanities and Social Sciences Library on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, and the main offices for Community Boards 1, 2, and 3. It can also be viewed online at the LMDC website.

Two public hearings to solicit feedback on the report have been scheduled for February 18 at Pace University, and a public comment period will conclude on March 15. After revisions have been made, the statement will be presented to the LMDC for final approval, probably in April, said the Times.

Neighborhood Workshop Results Released

Tuesday, Jan. 20:  The City of New York and the LMDC released the results of a neighborhood workshop series aimed at soliciting community feedback about the projects and funding initiatives considered most important to the revitalization of downtown. For complete coverage, click here.

ChinatownTourism and Marketing Campaign Announced

Tuesday, Jan. 20: The LMDC announced the creation of a $2-million tourism and marketing campaign designed to attract visitors to Chinatown.

Dentsu Communications will serve as the main advertising agency for the campaign, M. Silver Associates will deliver public relations services, and non-profit group Asian Women in Business will provide business assistance to the Chinatown community.

"Chinatown was hit particularly hard by the events of September 11th, and this marketing campaign is just one of the many ways we are working to make Chinatown, with its abundance of historic and cultural amenities, one of New York City's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement.

The campaign is jointly funded by the LMDC and the September 11th Fund and will be administered by NYC & Company in collaboration with the LMDC's Chinatown tourism advisory committee.