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.