Tugwell and Lower Manhattan Development Corp w/ Port Authority Readings

Tugwell piece:

1930s New York - corruption in municipal offices

Board of Estimates - budgetary and administrative decisions (POWER)

La Guardia elected Mayor on promise of reform

come up with a independent planning commission that will come up with master plan and 5 year capital expenditure plan (while still giving all real power to Board of Estimates)

Tugwell (New Deal official) becomes Commissioner (Moses turns it down because he doesnt think there is enough power)

address public housing (he wants it in blighted areas, other officials want greenfield development on fringe because its cheaper... they compromise with larger developments downtown to cover cost of building in the city)

tries to use retroactive zoning to remove things he saw as problematic... this faces oposition from business leaders

Moses goes after this style of "long-haired, ivory tower" planning..

Moses critique eventually crushes Tugwell; Tugwell leaves NY; Moses joins planning committee to use his power

THE END.

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Lower Manhattan Development Corporation in cooperation with Port Authority and other stakeholders has a few major goals…

1) memorial that honors those lost in 9/11 attack and at same time reaffirms democratic ideals under attack
2) complicated infrastructural needs for Lower Manhattan [will trigger private investment]
a. PATH
b. Highway (9a)
c. Increased tourism in area as product of mixed-use memorial
d. Also bring pedestrian back to this area
Major focus is public transportation coordination between LIRR, NJ Transit, PATH and NYC subways

(I copied these right from .pdf)


LMDC Principles for Action

• Make decisions based on an inclusive and open public process.

• Create a memorial honoring those who were lost while reaffirming the
democratic ideals that came under attack on September 11

• Assist the rapid revitalization of Lower Manhattan, in a manner that does not
preclude desirable future development plans

• Coordinate and encourage the infrastructure improvements that will trigger the
private investment needed to sustain and enhance Lower Manhattan

• Support the economic vitality of Lower Manhattan as the financial capital of the
world with new office space

• Develop Lower Manhattan as a diverse, mixed-use magnet for the arts, culture,
tourism, education, and recreation, complemented with residential, commercial,
retail and neighborhood amenities

• Develop a comprehensive, coherent plan for transit access to Lower Manhattan
that expands regional and local connections and improves transit facilities

• Connect the neighborhoods of Lower Manhattan and improve the pedestrian
experience of its streets

• Expand and enhance public and open spaces

• Preserve the historic character of Lower Manhattan and the existing civic and
cultural value of its cityscape

• Promote sustainability and excellence in design, for environmentally sensitive
development

Mr. Moses Discuesses Planning, Et Cetera

Basically, Robert Moses launches right into a rant about how many young planners, or "miserable little squirts" who are "trying to play god." He then took my breath away by going on and on about being careful about not ruining a city's heart...which is just kind of bizarre seeing how this is the guy that leveled the Bronx.

The bulk of his essay is deconstructing the zeitgeist of the time: decentralization, but more than that he seems to really be bolstering the fact that he takes on serious problems and doesn't just hide behind pretty pictures.
His arguments:
1. The road to salvation from urban growth and blight is not by super duper charters, regional governments and larger taxing areas, requiring very superior administrators.
2. The civic millennium is not to be achieved over night. (speaking to utopian solutions)
3. High standards in the beginning are problematic. Don't have them.
4. The public feels entitled to things at low prices
5. The drive to make government the sole employer is neither inevitable nor desirable. Its success would spell bureaucracy triumphant and the beginning of the end of private initiative.
6. The city will not be made secure by simply establishing a planning commission to publish reports. You need people with personalities to make it work.