In Memoriam: Stephen Lefkowitz (1937-2023)

11/20/2023
In Memoriam: Stephen Lefkowitz (1937-2023)

The Downtown Alliance mourns the loss of Stephen “Steve” Lefkowitz, a longtime former board member and fierce advocate for Lower Manhattan, who died on November 13 at age 86. Steve was a true New Yorker in every sense of the word. A real estate attorney who specialized in the development of public-private partnerships, Steve was a founding board member of the Alliance and his guidance and instincts helped shape this institution from its inception.

Over the course of his career he had a part in advising developers on transformational projects ranging from the new Yankee Stadium and the Barclays Center, to the Cornell Applied Sciences and Technology campus on Roosevelt Island.

Steve was a widely admired attorney known not only for his legal acumen but also his personal decency, wise counsel and profound commitment to civic life in New York. He knew in an exemplary way that insight sometimes carried enough power on its own to render raising one’s voice unnecessary.

“Stephen was passionate, inquisitive and thoughtful,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Downtown Alliance. “He was a founding member of the Downtown Alliance board and we will forever be grateful for his meaningful service and dedication to Lower Manhattan.”

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Steve’s wife Dinah Lefkowitz, children Benjamin Martin Bly and Jennifer Martin Donahue, daughter-in-law Bridget Bly and grandchildren Nora Bly, Zoe Bly, Caitriona Donahue and Samantha Donahue.

Related articles

How Downtown Alliance Helps Lower Manhattan’s Unhoused Individuals
How Downtown Alliance Helps Lower Manhattan’s Unhoused Individuals

Since 2009, Trinity Church and BRC have worked in partnership with the Downtown Alliance to serve unhoused persons.

Lower Manhattan: A Graffiti-Free Zone, Thanks to the Alliance 
Lower Manhattan: A Graffiti-Free Zone, Thanks to the Alliance 

In 2024 alone, our Sanitation team members successfully removed over 2,600 instances of graffiti and stickers across the district.

30 Years of the Alliance for Downtown New York
30 Years of the Alliance for Downtown New York

It's the Alliance's 30th birthday, and we're celebrating!