ABSTRACT
Who’s calling the shots on the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan—and how will the several billions in federal aid be spent that are targeted to New York City for that purpose? Money, after all, is going to be a key factor in every decision dealing with the consequences of September 11, in downtown Manhattan and elsewhere. On the face of it, the formal answer to the first question seems pretty clear: the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corporation. Its formation was announced on November 6, 2001, just before the mayoralty election in New York City. Its members were named on November 29, 2001, just a month before the lame-duck mayor left office. It will have the extensive powers of eminent domain of its parent and the ability to override most local zoning and land-use regulations. Through it will be funneled the funds expected to be allocated to New York City reconstruction by the federal government, and the governor will likewise channel state aid through it. It will be a potent force, technically a decisive one.
