Draft letter to FEMA on WTC debris removal and asbestos

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

of the Class A space available downtown.\For four/working days after 9/11, every business south of Canal Street was closed. Many nev^rresumed aperations and others took months to reopen their doors. The City’s Office of Management ang Budget estimates that business shutdowns in Lower Manhattan between 9/11 and the end of 2'W1 cost the City almost $10 Billion in economic output. The financial services sector,' 'hich the Partnership estimates as contributing 24% of the City’s total economic output, was pai licularly hard hit. The combination of real estate and infrastructure damage forced more th: n 100,000 workers to relocate to different areas or work from home. Seven major financial serv ces firms have temporarily relocated. Approximately 19,000 workers who previously worked in Manhattan are now working outside of New York City. Many of them may not return, wen after transport, communication and other essential services are fully restored.

Lower Manhattan is the financial capital of the world, and its revival is therefore critical not only to the City but to the nation as a whole. Anectodal evidence suggests that confidence in the area’s environmental safety - especially with regards to its air quality - is a primary concern for many area business executives. The exterior cleaning program outlined above seeks to address these concerns. We hope-that These efforts will play an important part in the City’s ongoing efforts to retain and attract area businesses.

A.s you well know. Lower Manhattan is also home to a growing residential community, which play,s an important role in the economic health of the area as well. We hope that The programs outlined above will encourage residents to continue living there and contributing to the economic and social vitality of the area.

The City must also communicate these active steps that are being taken to maintain the confidence of businesses, employees, and residents in the area’s environmental safety. These programs reflect the effort of the City and the EPA to address these concerns and to maintain public confidence in Lower Manhattan, and as such are absolutely essential to the area’s revival and long-term economic health.

The City therefore requests that FEMA provide the necessary funding for the hiring of contractors to perform the cleaning and/or testing of building exteriors and interior residential spaces in lower Manhattan, as appropriate.

Very truly yours,

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HEALTH

By___________________________ By_ Christopher O. Ward, Commissioner Title:

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