By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
FINANCIAL DISTRICT —Fresh after taking on President Obama’s plan for the Terror Trials being held in Lower Manhattan Community Board 1 is eyeing another massive battle, breaking the gridlock that is stalling development at the World Trade Center site.
The frustration for Community Board 1 members is that nearly a decade after the attack plans for 5 World Trade Center and whether it’s use is going to be Commercial or a Hotel, the location of the Performing Arts Center, and the demolition of the Deutsche Bank building.
“There are a lot of leaders but no leadership,” said Community Board 1 Member Linda Belfer.
Belfer brought the subject up after watching a recent segment by 60 Minutes that took a look at the failures of the site.
“There are to many players involved in developing Ground Zero, we may want to take a more radical view and suggest one entity take charge,” said Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin.
This would be the first time that the LMDC has had political action taken towards dissolving the entity which was formed post 9/11 by then Gov Pataki and then-Mayor Giuliani to help plan and coordinate the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan.
The LMDC is not responsible for the buildings being constructed at the World Trade Center but they are overseeing the Deutsche Bank demolition that has been riddled with failures.
Part of the issue is accountability, and for Menin and others of the Board drafting a resolution and submitting it to the board would be a step in the right direction, “We want one of elected to official to take responsibility and say, ‘I own the site and it s my legacy,’” said Menin.
Now the idea goes in front of the World Trade Center Committee, and then if the resolution is passed at the Committee level the proposal is voted on in front of the full board monthly meeting.
