Annual Report 2004

A Year of Bold Visions

New York City’s economic future is inextricably tied to its ability to embrace bold urban planning, visionary development proposals and architectural distinction.

Over the past twelve months, we have seen the future World Trade Center begin to take amazing shape – most notably through the innovative and symbolic designs for the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, the Memorial and the permanent PATH Station.

At Columbus Circle, we witnessed the opening of the long- awaited Columbus Centre development and the start of the even longer awaited tower atop the base of the Hearst Building.

Richard T. Anderson President, New York Building Congress

The City of New York recently unveiled a comprehensive strategy and financing plan to transform the far West Side of Manhattan. In the same week, New York State released its plans to nearly double the amount of exhibition space available at the Javits Center. Members of the Building Congress have long supported these initiatives.

Across the East River, City officials joined developer Bruce Ratner to announce a massive commercial, retail and residential complex above the Atlantic Terminal rail yards, the centerpiece of which will be a modern arena housing a National Basketball Association team.

One of the most striking aspects of these recent development proposals has been the extent to which public officials, such as Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, have worked hand-in-hand with the region’s leading developers, architects, engineers and industry associations.

When combined with plans for unprecedented improvements to the region’s transit system, New York City is poised to realize a spectacular and architecturally-distinguished expansion of its commercial and residential base – an expansion that will help solidify and strengthen its position as a world capital of business, finance and culture.

With both the public and private sectors demonstrating their capacity and appetite for forward-looking investments, it is incumbent upon the building and business communities to utilize their resources to ensure these bold visions become reality over the coming years.

Richard T. Anderson
President, New York Building Congress