October 20th - October 24th, 2003

PATH Train Tested in Anticipation of November Opening of WTC Station

Wednesday, Oct. 22: As reported in the Daily News, a PATH train traveled from New Jersey to Lower Manhattan in the first test of service at the soon-to-open temporary station at the World Trade Center site.

Officials at the Port Authority and Lower Manhattan Development Corporation have long said that the station would open sometime in November. A Daily News report that service will begin Nov. 23 remains unconfirmed.

The project to restore service to the World Trade Center and Jersey City's Exchange Place station, which reopened in late June 2003, cost about $544 million. The Port Authority began design work on the temporary station in November 2001; work on a permanent station -- part of the grand transportation hub slated for the site -- will continue through 2006.

For more information on the temporary station, visit http://www.pathrestoration.com.

Groundbreaking Held for Front Street Project

Wednesday, Oct. 22: A ceremonial groundbreaking was held for a project that will bring new housing and businesses to the South Street Seaport Historic District. Eleven structures will be renovated and three lots developed to create 96 apartments and 22,000 square feet of retail space along Front Street and Peck Slip.

The plan, known as the Historic Front Street Project, is being financed by $47 million in Liberty Bonds issued by the New York State Housing Authority. The residential units created will range in size from studios to three-bedroom apartments, and developer Yarrow LLC has pledged to use "green," or environmentally friendly, technology to construct and operate the buildings.

Yarrow has also promised that both the new and renovated buildings will reflect the historic character of the area. Additional development in this vein is likely to occur in the neighborhood after Fulton Fish Market is relocated to the Bronx in early 2005.

Names of Two Officers Added to Police Memorial

Wednesday, Oct. 22: The names of two police officers were added to the New York City Police Memorial in Battery Park City in a ceremony attended by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. Officials honored Detective Jaime Betancourt and Officer Disdale Enton, both of whom died in the line of duty last year.

"During their service with the NYPD, Detective Jaime Betancourt and Officer Disdale Enton made enormous contributions to the safety of our city, " said Mayor Bloomberg.  "Their names will forever grace this wall and their memories will remain in our hearts."