NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
MEMORANDUM
To: Commissioner Miele, Diana Chapin, Charles Sturckin
From: JoeKetas
Re: Downtown Replacement Office Space
Date: September 21, 2001
I attended a meeting at the Command Center yesterday with a host of
folks from city agencies involved in the development approval process. The
meeting was chaired by DCP and EDC.
EDC and DCP said that they have held discussions with a number of
business reps who have lost space in Downtown Manhattan because of the
September 11* tragedy. According to EDC, they have been told that the
enterprises would be willing to remain in New York City, but they will consider
moving outside the City if new space caimot be made available in a timely
fashion. EDC and DCP believe that the City should send a strong signal to the
development community at this time demonstrating it’s willingness to expedite
the approvals of new construction. To that end they plan to make the following
two proposals to the Mayor next week:
(1) Citywide actions
Provide City with authority to undertake urban renewal actions for
economic development purposes (State has such authority; City's
authority requires "blight" findings currently).
Establish an expedited procedure that replaces that mandated by Section
384 (b)(5) and 197-c of the City Charter, for disposition of city-owned
real property pursuant to zoning in commercial and manufacturing zoning
districts, where the Mayor makes a certification of necessity for an
economic development project. The expedited procedure would provide
for a simultaneous referral of the proposed disposition to the Community
Board and the City Planning Commission for advisory review for 30
days, and a 60-day period for review and approval by the City Council.
As an alternative: The expedited procedure would provide for a 30-day
referral to the Community Board, and a 30-day review and approval by
the City Planning Commission. Within 20 days after the filing of the
Commission's action with the City Council, the Council could disapprove
the disposition by a two-thirds majority. Where such disposition is to a
local development corporation without competitive bidding pursuant to
NYC-WTC_000161976
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