The New York Building Congress is pleased to endorse, with considerable enthusiasm, the proposed new Goldman Sachs building at Battery Park City. There are few development projects that could yield greater benefit to Lower Manhattan and the City of New York at this time. This proposal should be evaluated thoroughly and then expedited for the benefit of all New Yorkers.
As a coalition of the design, construction and real estate industry, the Building Congress is keenly concerned with the overall economy of New York City. By strengthening the presence of Goldman Sachs in Lower Manhattan and enhancing the area’s financial role in the global economy, the joint efforts of the City and State governments are strategically advancing Lower Manhattan’s economic future. Perhaps no single organization represents the preeminent financial role of Lower Manhattan more than Goldman Sachs. The firm’s decision to build a new headquarters at the World Financial Center is welcome news and should be strongly supported by government, business and civic leaders.
The Building Congress is much aware of the construction activity to be generated by this project. During the period of design and building, we anticipate that the project will create considerable construction employment in New York City as well as new tax revenue during this phase. Permanent employment will be even greater. All told, this 1.9 million-square-foot building will be one of the most important new economic generators in the metropolitan region. Furthermore, the building will be constructed using the highest environmental standards, continuing the emphasis on “green building” in the area.
The new Goldman Sachs building will complete the World Financial Center at Battery Park City, a one-of-a-kind location incorporating many of the world’s largest and most important financial organizations. It is to the credit of the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority that planning and site preparation for the new Goldman Sachs building is complete and ready to go.
The Building Congress and its 1,500 individual members urge the City Planning Commission to support the rezoning necessary for the proposed Goldman Sachs headquarters building. From every possible standpoint, this project is a win-win for the City and State of New York. We are confident that remaining issues and questions can be addressed expeditiously and that this enormously-important project can proceed expeditiously.
