October 30th - November 6th, 2003

Firehouse Reopens Adjacent to World Trade Center Site

Wednesday, Nov. 5: A rebuilt fire station housing Engine Company 10 and Ladder Company 10 was officially reopened in a ceremony attended by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.

The firehouse located at 124 Liberty, known as the "Ten House," was badly damaged in the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Five of its members were killed in the rescue efforts.

"The reopening of the Ten House is the final brick in the fire department's rebuilding efforts after the devastation of September 11," the mayor said in a statement.

The $3.5-million project saw the complete rebuilding of the station's ventilation, air-conditioning, and exhaust systems. It was funded in part by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Firefighters actually returned to the facility a few days before the ceremony and have been available to respond to emergencies since 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Necklace Lights Are Relit on East River Bridges

Wednesday, Nov. 5: Lower Manhattan's Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges, along with the Queensboro Bridge, are again illuminating the city skyline thanks to $160,000 in contributions from private donors.

The mercury vapor bulbs that highlight the bridge cables -- known as "necklace lights" -- had been shut off in March to save money.

"These four magnificent crossings are by far the most prominent stars in our huge constellation of bridges," said Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall in a statement. "We've always thought of the necklace lights as more than just the icing on the cake."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg thanked sponsors Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, the International Gemological Institute, the River Café, and Travelex, each of which has pledged $20,000 annually over two years to keep the lights on.

City Opens Drumgoole Plaza, First of Several Park Projects Downtown

Wednesday, Nov. 5: City and state officials attended a ribbon-cutting at Drumgoole Plaza, one of the 13 downtown parks and open spaces slated for development or renovation with $25 million from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The Frankfort Street park, which sits next to on-ramps for the Brooklyn Bridge, will be maintained in part by adjacent Pace University.

The remaining 12 LMDC-funded projects are to be completed by the end of 2004, with half projected to open next spring. Six additional open-space projects downtown will be funded by $12 million from other government and private sources.

Click here for LowerManhattan.info's complete coverage.

Governor: Downtown Rebuilding Is Right On Track

Thursday, Oct. 30: Governor George Pataki reviewed the progress of downtown rebuilding in an address to downtown business leaders, concluding that efforts to revitalize Lower Manhattan are "right on track."

Pataki noted that most key deadlines to date have been met and offered plans to help resolve a pair of disagreements that threatened to delay the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site. He also announced a series of new initiatives to be studied in coming months.