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NY Metro Chapter Responds to World Trade Center Attack By Janice Jijina, AICP, Metro Chapter President and Joseph Ferrucci, Metro Planner Editor On behalf of the New York Metro Chapter, we would like to express our most sincere condolences to each and every member of the Chapter for the losses that they sustained in the wake of the World Trade Center attack on September 11th. Every one of us has lost someone or something very important to us, be it a friend, a relative, a coworker, or on other levels, an office, a job, or even our sense of security living and working in this great city. While we have been grateful to hear that so many of our members who worked in the World Trade Center survived, we also understand that one or more may have been lost. In order for APA to determine what we can do to help their loved ones, we request that anyone with information about Chapter members lost in this tragedy, please contact the Chapter office at mfindlen@nyplanning.org. Sadly, two agencies with whom many of us work - the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) - had their offices in the World Trade Center. Their offices, of course, have been destroyed, and they are still missing some employees. The Executive Director of the Port Authority, Neil Levin, is among those few identified as having died. Metro Chapter offers its deepest sympathies to our friends and colleagues who work with the Port Authority and NYMTC. As if the human loss and suffering were not horrible enough, we also had to face the loss of one of the great landmarks of New York City-the twin towers. Whether you loved or hated the towers (considered elegant and awesome by some, but stark and bulky by others), they served as the anchor of lower Manhattan and a proud testament to the revitalization of that part of the city. In the short 30 years that they presided over New York, they defined the skyline of Manhattan, and their absence does not go unnoticed. We would like to extend a word of thanks to the APA, which has been with us through this terrible time. Metro Chapter has received phone calls and emails from APA members and chapters across the country, who sent their thoughts and asked what they could do to help. In the midst of such a horrible tragedy, their kindness and support has been reassuring. As residents of the New York region, many of us have been trying to help in any way possible. People have been volunteering their time, giving money and materials to the Red Cross, and donating blood. Donald Burns, AICP, Metro Chapter's New York City Representative, has compiled a list of 9/11 charities, which are listed below. Any help you can give is appreciated. The courageous spirit that guided us through the first few days after the attack is now calling upon us to develop a renewed vision for lower Manhattan. The debate about the future of the World Trade Center site has already become a topic of public debate. Some have suggested rebuilding the towers as they were; some want to rebuild in an entirely different format; others envision a memorial to the victims, including the brave fire fighters, police officers, and rescue workers who were themselves killed in their attempt to help others in need. The NY Metro Chapter is participating in several planning-related efforts with the Regional Plan Association, the New York City Partnership and the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA.) Metro Chapter will continue to look for additional ways that we can help both our members and New York City in this difficult time. Please feel free to contact Janice Jijina, Metro Chapter President, with your suggestions. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11th, which destroyed the World Trade Center and reverberated across our region, APA's New York Metro Chapter is providing its planning experience and technical expertise to both civic and professional rebuilding efforts. CIVIC PLANNING INITIATIVE Participants Progress So Far What's Next? How to Contribute New York New Visions & DESIGN COALITION Participants Purpose Work Progress So Far The following members represent the Metro Chapter on each of the committees:
What's Next? How to Contribute Another way to contribute to New York New Visions is by sharing your resources, such as meeting rooms, site information, base maps, or computer capabilities. If you are interested in joining one of the committees or contributing resources, please contact Mary Findlen, Chapter Administrator, with information about how to reach you and a description of how you would like to participate. Message from Paul Farmer, AICP The American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners expresses its sympathy to those affected by the horrific tragedies of September 11. To the victims, their families, and their friends, we offer our heartfelt thoughts and prayers. We are all strengthened by the many acts of heroism and kindness shown by caring people and by the continuing contributions so many are making in service to others. Our community of Planners has offered assistance to those who must now turn to the long process of recovery and reconstruction. Many of our members will be called upon for their personal contributions of talent and expertise through APA or through others' requests in the coming months. For members and friends, we will be offering a variety of opportunities for dialogue, information, and contributions. Visit www.planning.org/abtapa/11sept01.htm to share in APA's resources for Planning After September 11. Please join us in the task of building community in America and throughout the world. Below is a partial list of charitable organizations for those who want to make contributions to the families of the victims of the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. Twin Towers Fund (official NYC fund) New York State United Way American Red Cross Salvation Army Daily News Charities, Inc New York City Fire Safety Foundation New York City Police Foundation Metro Chapter Announces New Fund Since September 11th, the NY Metro Chapter has received numerous requests from other APA Chapters and individuals about how to contribute to the victims of the terrorist attack and rebuilding efforts. The Chapter posted a list of charities on its website and is now establishing is own Chapter-specific effort. The fund will be used for the following two purposes:
Planning activities that relate to rebuilding efforts will take several forms. While Chapter members will offer their services on a pro bono basis, there will be administrative costs which may include staff time, mailings, publications, meeting room rentals, etc. Some of the planning efforts underway include: New York New Visions Planning Task Force Participation with other Alliances APA Sponsored Focus Groups Chapter Conference Donations can be sent to: |
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