U.S. Senator Schumer, State Senator Squadron Call for Lmdc to Fund Next Phase of Pier 42, Secure Future of Wtc Performing Arts Center

Schumer, Squadron: Pier 42, Performing Arts Center Should be LMDC Priorities

NEW YORK – Today, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer and New York State Senator Daniel Squadron submitted joint testimony (attached) to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) regarding allocation of $50 million in settlement funds.

In their testimony, Schumer and Squadron called on the LMDC to work towards fully funded build-out of Pier 42. In 2012, Schumer and Squadron successfully secured $16 million from LMDC to commence and complete the first phase of Pier 42’s redevelopment, with supporting advocacy from Community Board 3 and community members.

Schumer and Squadron urged the LMDC board to allocate sufficient funds for the anticipated $12 million cost of Pier 42’s phase 1A: “We, along with the community, have long believed that the redevelopment of Pier 42 is a crucial step towards improving Lower Manhattan. Completion of Pier 42 is an important step towards our long-term investment in a Harbor Park -- a central park for the center of our city, and an emerald ribbon around the borough,” said Schumer and Squadron.

Schumer and Squadron also called on the LMDC to fulfill the existing commitment made to the Lower Manhattan community of a Performing Arts Center: “While the overall progress being made at the WTC site has been significant, there has not been sufficient progress towards the promised Performing Arts Center. LMDC’s job will not be complete until the Performing Arts Center's future is secured,” said Schumer and Squadron.

Schumer and Squadron reiterated that there are additional outstanding needs in Lower Manhattan and that its work is far from over “It is crucial that Pier 42, fulfilling commitments for the WTC Performing Arts Center and evaluation of resiliency needs should be LMDC priorities, along with a number of other projects under consideration,” said Schumer and Squadron.

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