Civic Coalitions for Rebuilding
Civic Alliance
The Regional Plan Association has convened a Civic
Alliance of more than 75 business, government,
community and civic groups in New York and New
Jersey, to ensure that the rebuilding of Lower
Manhattan meets the highest standards of urban
design, addresses regional infrastructure issues and
represents the collective wisdom and vision of a
cross-section of the city and region's civic,
community, environmental and business leaders.
New York New Visions
New York New Visions is a coalition of 20
architecture, planning, and design organizations
that came together immediately following the
September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade
Center. This group, representing over 30,000
individuals, has pooled the collective resources
and technical expertise of over 350 professionals
and civic group leaders in a pro-bono effort to
address the issues surrounding the rebuilding of
Lower Manhattan. Their emphasis lies in the physical
design of the World Trade Center site.
Imagine New York
Imagine New York was a project designed to make sure that the
public has a say in the future of the World Trade Center site
through a democratic process. It was organized by a coalition headed by
the Municipal Arts Society and including a number of other organizing partners.
It held workshops around the city and region to gather public opinion from all New Yorkers about their thoughts on what and
how to rebuild the city and memorialize 9/11. It ended its operations at the end
of 2003.
R.DOT: Rebuild Our Town Downtown
The Rebuild Downtown Our Town Coalition, (R.Dot) is
comprised of Lower Manhattan residents, businesses,
community and business associations, artists,
colleges, professionals, designers, public officials
and appointees. The coalition meets regularly to
develop an imaginative, sustainable design for the
rebuilding of Lower Manhattan that creates the
possibility of the area becoming a diverse,
inclusive 24-hour residential and business
community. Integral to this goal is the attraction
of the intellectual, entrepreneurial, creative, and
technological capabilities that empowers New York
City's economy and the richness of its
multi-cultural life. The coalition also supports the
design of a fitting memorial for the September 11
tragedy.
Labor Community Advocacy Network
This caalition is a network of representatives
from over 50 New York labor unions, community groups, research and advocacy
organizations, and service providers. They advocate an approach to the rebuilding
less centered around the physical structure of Ground Zero, with more
of an emphasis on bringing back the jobs lost from September 11, promoting
the construction of affordable housing downtown, and insuring that
the rest of the city, particularly lower-wage workers and immigrants, are
not left behind by the economic plan to rebuild.
The New York City Infrastructure Task Force
Formed to help build consensus on any decisions
regarding reconstruction, amongst "private and
public sector leaders, existing and newly formed
governmental entities as well as concerned civic and
community groups." The task force hopes to offer
pro-bono, the talents of leading design
professionals to aid the actual decision makers in
identifying all the important questions raised by
this issue.
Other Civic Groups Involved In Rebuilding
Seedco
Seedco is an organization that has been involved a great deal
in assisting small businesses downtown after September 11. Among
their many programs for assistance are the Lower Manhattan Small
Grocers Initiative, the Lower Manhattan Small Business and Workforce Retention Project,
and a publication called the September 11 Small Business Resource Guide.
Center for Downtown New York at Pace University (CDNY)
The Center for Downtown New York was founded to serve
the community as an academic, research and civic
leadership partner in the effort to revitalize lower
Manhattan. CDNY will serve as a communications hub,
provide an important link with the city's educational,
governmental and cultural resources, encourage
collaborative expertise, research and projects, and
work to further civic competency in downtown New York
during this critical time of recovery. More
information on CDNY can be found at www.pace.edu.
New York City Partnership
An organization with a focus on business, New York City
Partnership is involved in assisting businesses as they
attempt to get back on their feet after September 11.
Wall Street Rising
Wall Street Rising is a coalition of businesses, industries and
residents of the downtown community, dedicated to restoring the
vibrancy and vitality that existed in Lower Manhattan prior to
the devastating events of September 11, 2001.
The Tribeca Organization
The TriBeCa Organization, Inc. ("T.O.") was
formed as a direct response to the tragedy of
September 11, 2001. Its purpose is to create and
support programs to restore the economic and
cultural vitality and vibrancy of the TriBeCa
area and to maintain the area as a viable
residential community, cultural center and
commercial market in light of the September 11,
2001 terrorist attacks. Similar to Wall Street Rising, it
focuses on information exchange, counseling for businesses,
and promotions to highlight Tribeca.
Planners Network
Held forum on evening of Friday, November 2, at Hunter
College Social Work Auditorium, entitled, "Who Will Plan?
What Will It Be? Economics And Politics Of Planning In The
Wake Of 9/11"
The American Institute Of Architects, New York Chapter
The New York chapter of the national organization has
joined forces with the New York New Visions coalition.
The American Planning Association (APA)
The American Planning Association has over 32,000 members and 48 local
chapters throughout the nation. The New York Metro Chapter has 850 members
in New York City, Long Island and Lower Hudson Valley. The New York Metro
Chapter has been working extensively in the planning efforts to rebuild
Lower Manhattan since mid-September.
Pratt Institute for Community and Environmental Development
As the oldest university-based advocacy planning
organization in the country, PICCED's mission is
to enhance the capacity of low- and
moderate-income communities to develop
innovative solutions to the physical, social,
and economic challenges facing them. They are currently working on examining the
impact of September 11 on low and moderate income households and promoting the
participation of working groups on the issues of housing, employment and investment.
They are also working on the Chinatown Planning Project and
attempting to use baseline mapping to assist in
an economic impact study of September 11on
Chinatown.
News Sites Featuring Rebuilding
Newsday: New York City Rebuilds
Coverage of the rebuilding downtown in this special section of Newsday's site.
Includes links to older Newsday articles and interactive maps of the downtown area.
ReconstructionReport.org
Supported by the Design Trust for Public Space, this site aims to
encourage effective and informed public input into the redevelopment of the former World Trade Center site.
Their coverage includes insider documents and analysis of the rebuilding process.
New York Times: 102 Minutes
This special feature by the New York Times gives a minute-by-minute detailed account
of the experiences of people who survived the collapse of the towers and those
who never made it out. Supported by supplementary interactive materials, including
diagrams of the escape routes taken by some out of the towers, this section was pieced
together with accounts of phone conversations and e-mail and voice messages.
LowerManhattan.Info: Information To Build On
This website is the centerpiece of the Lower
Manhattan Public Information Campaign - an initiative that provides
people who live in, work in and visit Lower Manhattan with essential
news about the area and its redevelopment. Since its launch in September
2002, LowerManhattan.info has become a well-traveled resource, with over
110 million site hits to date and thousands of daily visitors.
News Sites Focusing On The Anniversary
NEWSPAPERS
New York Times: A Nation Challenged
The New York Times features archives of its news coverage, including images of the website's homepage
and the print edition's front page from September 11. Comprehensive news coverage links to the paper's
coverage on the war on terrorism and the effects of September 11 in the city. There is a searchable index
of the victims of September 11 and the Portraits of Grief profiles written about each of the victims. Resources
for students and teachers are also available.
New York Times Book Review: Reading 9/11
The New York Times Book Review's anniversary coverage includes a
September 11 reading list and a critical essay by Walter Kirn about the
themes and merits of the mountains of 9/11 books that appeared after the
attacks "like flowers after a funeral."
New York Post: Special Coverage "Those We Lost"
The New York Post's "Those We Lost" anniversary section includes a list
of all who died in the World Trade Center attacks, with their ages and
occupations. The section also runs stories about the rescue workers who
found the body of Rev. Mychal Judge, called "Father Mike," an interview
with an 18-year-old whose father died in the attacks and a profile of a
couple who met on Sept. 11, 2001.
Daily News - Special Coverage of 9/11 Anniversary
The Daily News coverage of the September 11 anniversary features an
extended essay by Pete Hamill recalling the events of September 11 a
year ago. Other stories about September 11 take a look at the impromptu
memorials that sprung up around the city; stories of the workers at
Ground Zero; the outpouring of money into charities set up to help aid
victims of September 11 and their relatives; and a look at the cultural
repsonse to 9/11.
Newsday: Special Section - 9/11 One Year Later
Highlights in Newsday's coverage of the 9/11 attacks include a feature on security one year later; profiles of
survivors; excerpts from letters and artwork by students and children
responding to the attacks; and a searchable list of anniversary-related
events throughout the city and Long Island.
Christian Science Monitor - September 11: One Year Later
The Six Plans From The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation released their first six official plans for
the World Trade Center site. Public comment continues through the end of the summer, with
three newly revised plans to emerge later this fall.
CNN.com - World Trade Center Proposals
CNN.com has collected proposals for the World
Trade Center sent in by their readers. At this
site they showcase some of the most interesting
ones they've received.
NYCSky.com
A website featuring a design from designer Chris Grayson. His design is marked by
a 1700 foot obelisk at the site of the World Trade Center.
Visible Negative Space
A design by Oliver Söhngen presented at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's first public hearing
A Memorial and a Monument To America
Another design idea from the public hearing
Fox and Fowle: A New World Trade Center
Architecture firm's vision from the Max Protech Gallery exhibition
http://www.foxfowle.com/ev_cont.htm
Fred Bernstein's Harbor Memorial
A proposal to create two Twin-Tower-length piers extending into the harbor
http://www.fredbernstein.com/
Liberty Square
Franck Lohsen McCrery Architects -- Plan for the WTC Site
http://www.flmarchitects.com/wtc.htm
United We Stand - One German Artist's Conception
http://gurlpages.com/irberseder/index.html
Memorializing the Victims
Todd Simons, Designer and Co-Founder of Basis
Build The Towers
http://www.buildthetowers.org
http://www.buildthetowers.org/designs/wtc.asp
http://www.buildthetowers.org/designs/memorial.asp
Ground Zero Monument - One Suggested Design
http://www.groundzeromonument.com
Newsday's Photo Gallery from the Max Protech Gallery Exhibition
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-protetchgallery.photogallery
Up From The Ashes
MSNBC features a slideshow of designs from the recent Max Protech Gallery show
http://www.msnbc.com/news/690592.asp
NY Cares:
The NY Cares organization offers a
constantly-updated list of volunteer opportunites for those wanting to
donate their time to WTC-related events.
Liberty Unites:
President Bush has announced a website, www.libertyunites.org, for
Americans to make online donations to various charities that will aid
the victims of the attacks and their families.
World Trade Center Relief Fund:
Information on funding by the
state government can be found by calling 1-800-801-8092, or writing P.O.
BOX 5028, Albany, NY, 12205
Police & Firefighters:
To donate to the families and
members of the Port Authority Police Department, send donations to: Port
Authority Police, World Trade Disaster Survivors' Fund, c/o Port
Authority PBA, Inc. 611 Palisade Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
The Leary Firefighters Foundation:
To donate to comedian
and actor Denis Leary's fund, visit the foundation's website at http://learyfirefightersfoundation.org.
United Way:
To make donations to the September 11 Fund to
aid victims and families of the attacks, call the United Way/ New York
Community Trust Fund at 1-800-710-8002 or go to www.uwnyc.org. Checks can also me mailed
care of the United Way, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.
Trial Lawyers Care, Inc.:
Free legal services are available
to victims and family members of the September 11 attacks who seek
compensation under the new federal September 11 Victim Compensation
Fund. Register with Trial Lawyers Care by telephone 1-888-780-8637
(English), 1-888-780-8682 (Espanol) or online at www.911LawHelp.org.
Blood:
To donate blood, call 1-800-GIVE BLOOD.
Red Cross
To make a donation, call 1-800-HELP NOW.
Helping.org
To offer further assistance, visit www.helping.org.
National 9/11 Charity Database
The Better Business Bureau has created a
database of nonprofit organizations responding
to the 9/11 crisis. Click above to visit the
special section on their website.
List of Resources for Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York
has set up this page on their website to help
New York City nonprofits help other nonprofits
that were affected by the disaster downtown.
Nonprofits Mobilize to Help
Independent Sector is compiling a list of how
nonprofits across the country are mobilizing for
emergency assistance and to offer comfort.
New Jersey Grantmakers Respond
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers has
compiled information about the responses of New
Jersey grantmakers to the events of September
11.
Legal Advice on Disaster Assistance
The law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett,
home of frequent NYRAG partner Victoria
Bjorklund, has prepared a memo with advice how
to provide disaster-relief assistance, either
through contributing to existing disaster-relief
programs or by creating a new program.
September 11 Fund Website
The September 11 Fund, a joint initiative of the
New York Community Trust and the United Way of
New York City, has a website,
september11fund.org. Find the answers to
Frequently Asked Questions.
Legal FAQs from the Lawyers Alliance
The Lawyers Alliance of New York has prepared
frequently asked questions (FAQs) on nonprofit
issues, in order to provide general guidance to
nonprofit organizations and pro bono attorneys
who are assisting them in disaster relief. The
organization is also prepared to assist
nonprofits affected by or responding to the
events of September 11th. Contact Lori Moses at
212/219-1800, ext. 231 or email lmoses@lany.org.
Managing in a New World
Read the materials prepared by the Conservation
Company for a session sponsored by the Nonprofit
Coordinating Committee of New York on how
nonprofits can adapt to the post-September 11
operating environment. Click above to go to the
Conservation Company's website, then click
"Publications" and scroll to the bottom of the
page.
Nonprofit Finance Fund
The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) has created a
special program for New York City nonprofits
recovering from the events of September 11th.
NFF's Nonprofit Recovery Fund provides flexible
packages of grants, recoverable grants and loans
to help nonprofits return, financially speaking,
to where they were before that day. The Fund
serves nonprofits that have experienced physical
damage to their facilities, are coping with
interruptions of earned or contributed income as
a direct result of the events of September 11th,
or are responding to increased demand for
services for victims of the attacks. To request
financial assistance from NFF's Nonprofit
Recovery Fund, or for more information, please
contact Ann McKinnon at (212) 868-6710, at
ann.mckinnon@nffusa.org, or log onto NFF's
website.
Volunteer opportunities
New York Cares is organizing volunteers to aid
in the recovery efforts. Sign up online for a
variety of projects, from helping displaced
workers and residents find jobs and other
assistance to helping staff "Listening to the
City" forums on rebuilding.
Foundation Center's 9/11 Response Site
Visit the 9/11 Response section on the
Foundation Center's website for ranked lists of
foundation and corporate donors, interviews with
leaders involved in the relief and recovery
efforts and a roundup of news about the
philanthropic response to Sept. 11.
Give Your Voice for WTC Victims' Families
http://www.giveyourvoice.com
Founded by the widow of a civilian killed at the World
Trade Center, this group seeks to give families a voice
in the recovery of remains and memorials to the victims.
Families of September 11
http://www.familiesofseptember11.org
Their mission stated on their website is "to promote
the interests of families of victims of the September
11 attacks and support public policies that improve the
prevention of and response to terrorism."
United Way of New York City
http://www.uwnyc.org
The United Way of New York City and the New York
Community Trust established the September 11th Fund,
which is being distributed to organizations that
provide aid. This Web site provides information on how
to apply for cash grants and obtain referrals to
agencies that can provide assistance.
WTC Relief Info
http://www.wtcrelief.info
The office of the New York State Attorney General
operates this site. Although it primarily serves the
needs of New York residents, many of the charities
listed on the site are national organizations that will
help people in any part of the country. The site has a
sophisticated search function that enables you to
quickly identify the charities best suited to your
needs.
WTC United Family Group
http://www.wtcunitedfamilygroup.org
Founded by the brother of a World Trade Center victim,
WTC United Family Group is a support and information
network for the families and friends of the victims and
survivors of the September 11 attacks.
9-11 Widows' and Victims' Families Association
http://www.911wvfa.org
Founding by the widow of a New York City firefighter,
this organization's chief goal is the dignified
recovery of the victims' remains from Ground Zero.
Seedco
Seedco is an organization that has been involved a great deal
in assisting small businesses downtown after September 11. Among
their many programs for assistance are the Lower Manhattan Small
Grocers Initiative, the Lower Manhattan Small Business and Workforce Retention Project,
and a publication called the September 11 Small Business Resource Guide.
New York City Partnership
An organization with a focus on business, New York City
Partnership is involved in assisting businesses as they
attempt to get back on their feet after September 11.
Wall Street Rising
Wall Street Rising is a coalition of businesses, industries and
residents of the downtown community, dedicated to restoring the
vibrancy and vitality that existed in Lower Manhattan prior to
the devastating events of September 11, 2001.
The Tribeca Organization
The TriBeCa Organization, Inc. ("T.O.") was
formed as a direct response to the tragedy of
September 11, 2001. Its purpose is to create and
support programs to restore the economic and
cultural vitality and vibrancy of the TriBeCa
area and to maintain the area as a viable
residential community, cultural center and
commercial market in light of the September 11,
2001 terrorist attacks. Similar to Wall Street Rising, it
focuses on information exchange, counseling for businesses,
and promotions to highlight Tribeca.
