Mayor and Governor Launch LowerManhattan.info

From transit schedules to transportation maps, rebuilding plans to recreation, cleanup efforts to community involvement, there now is one source that provides people who live in, work in, and visit Lower Manhattan with regularly updated news and information about the area.

The new source, unveiled today at City Hall by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki, is a public information campaign for Lower Manhattan. The centerpiece of the campaign is a comprehensive website: www.lowermanhattan.info.  Other components of the campaign include a newsletter, advertising, and grassroots outreach.

"Our hope is that this campaign will meet the information needs of our citizens and visitors to the area through an unprecedented effort involving every level of government plus community organizations and the private sector," said Mayor Bloomberg. "If you are a business seeking assistance options, a resident concerned about environmental safety, or a new employee trying to plan your route to work, you can visit www.lowermanhattan.info and get your questions answered."

The website provides Lower Manhattan-focused news and feature stories, as well as practical information culled from a variety of public and private sources.  Key content areas include:  transportation and transit; health, safety and security; rebuilding plans and progress; assistance and incentives; community involvement opportunities; things to do; and Lower Manhattan history.  Special website features include an interactive transportation map covering all modes of transportation, a virtual tour of 50 Lower Manhattan sites, a user-friendly tool for navigating assistance and incentives programs, and an interactive timeline charting the rich history of Lower Manhattan.

"Information is crucial to the future of Lower Manhattan," said Governor Pataki. "Equipped with information that is current and reliable, residents, tourists and workers will be empowered to make informed decisions about building their future in Lower Manhattan."

"The one year anniversary of September 11^th is a time to commemorate, but we must also look to the future," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding Daniel L. Doctoroff. "Lower Manhattan's long-term recovery in large part will depend on the choices people make now. The more people know about Lower Manhattan the more likely they are to invest in the future of this vital community."

Other components of the campaign will roll out in the coming weeks.  For those without web access, a monthly newsletter will offer a mix of articles and practical information on life in Lower Manhattan, including event calendars, resource guides and "how to" features.  An information packet for area workers is in development, as is a communications program designed specifically for the Chinatown community.

"I work and live down in Lower Manhattan," said Sohail Quaddissi.  "It would be great for people who work and live here to have one specific Web site where we can get all the information we need."

City, state and federal agencies, together with non-profit organizations, private-sector companies and community groups, are contributing to this campaign by sharing their respective news with the public.

The campaign is being primarily funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and is being jointly administered by the Mayor's Office and the LMDC.