Statement From Jessica Lappin, President Of The Alliance For Downtown New York, On Administration’s Plans For CDBG Monies Going To Sandy-Impacted Neighborhoods

12/19/2014
Statement From Jessica Lappin, President Of The Alliance For Downtown New York, On Administration’s Plans For CDBG Monies Going To Sandy-Impacted Neighborhoods

"Today’s announcement is disappointing news for Lower Manhattan, which was certainly hit hard during Hurricane Sandy. We would have liked to have seen a greater commitment to the area in this plan amendment.

Lower Manhattan is home to approximately 60,000 residents, 300,000 workers and a thousand small businesses.  It also welcomes millions of visitors each year who help grow our entire city's economy. 

New Yorkers from all over the city – from Morrisania to Long Island City to Flatbush to Stapleton – are employed here.  Investing in resiliency measures to protect the fourth largest central business district in the United States would have economic and social benefits that extend far beyond the one square mile of Lower Manhattan.

Of course, the Rockaways, Hunts Point, Sawmill Creek and other Sandy impacted areas targeted by this plan need help, planning and investment – but so does Lower Manhattan.

We are the front door to New York Harbor and are highly susceptible to future flooding. The failure to adequately account for the area's needs in this plan is a lost opportunity."