All New Yorkers would agree on the fact that Downtown just feels different. It can be sensed at the moment you cross the disputed border. There are just countable numbers of cities in the world that have such iconic places and Downtown Manhattan is definitely one to write about. In the 15 years since the Sep 11 attacks, the city has evolved bigger, better and bolder than ever. One World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum are filled with millions of visitors every year. The cast iron facades of SOHO, paved lanes of Tribeca, the Belgian block, the water towers, hoardings accompanying dance mix plasters, and the Puerto Rican bodegas represent an undisputable iconography of the cityscapes.
1. A City Overhauled
Downtown New York is assumed to be an idea more than a place, focused on sensibility than geography. The city has taken a complete overhaul of the attacks and so many different things have developed during this time which wasn't there previously and were not even part of the plan. The local transit system was upgraded to a whole new level with Santiago Calatrava’s sleek anchored a gigantic commuter hub.
Spacious parking lots turned into luxury apartment buildings and former commercial sites turned into resident plazas for thousands of families to settle in. The city’s downtown is revitalized by $ 30 billion in public and private sector’s investment including not only the reconstruction of World Trade Center Site but two new shopping malls stacked up upscale retailers as well, an infinite number of hotel rooms in different 5-star hotels and eateries of all kinds.
2. Tourist attracted more than ever before
There were just six hotels in the area before the attacks and now there are 29 hotels currently and the populace has reached triple the number since 2000. Visitor’s numbers also increased and reached around 14 million this past year as per the statistics of Alliance for Downtown New York.
There is plenty of stuff you can do for free in the Downtown area but the iconic museum and the World trade center that charges $24 and $34 respectively saw a rise in the number of visitor’s more than ever before since their opening. The numbers for the Downtown, as compared to the Statue of Liberty which receives 4 million tourists on the average in a calendar year, were astonishing.
3. Setting an example out there
Nobody expected such a robust rebound by the Downtown Manhattan and getting back to that level, in fact surpassing its class for the immense collective efforts of both the public and private sector. The most inspiring thing about this transformation is the fact that there isn’t just physical change at the downtown site. In fact, it’s more of energy out there. There was a feeling when the tragedy happened that people won’t get back to normality and would easily melt in the tremors. Instead, they made a comeback, even if they didn’t come back so strongly, like the way they did, nobody would’ve blamed them but the tenacity and dedication of the natives inspired one and all.
4. Not just built, revamped
It wasn’t used to be that way and the area was more of trespassing nine to five zones where commuters just went through the motion without lingering on literally for anything. The nights were simply not the way they are nowadays and weekends too seemed deserted. Downtown revamping efforts were underway and when the calamity struck and changed the scenario entirely, the government started its disaster management process and the recovery started. The private sector also joined hands and a massive rebuilding process began. The recession impacted the situation worse but it was managed by private sector employment and it is expected by the end of 2020 that the employment numbers would get back to the pre-nine eleven times. The neighborhood is also becoming a quality shopping destination unheard of earlier with Brookfield place and Westfield just opened last year having outlets of almost all the luxury brands.
5. A city full of events
The city is never short of events and always comes up with some really exciting things to do with your friends and family. A 9/11 memorial 5K run/walk would be conducted on the 23rd of April 2017 for a charity fundraiser. These New Yorkers just don’t forget the victims of that day and do stuff like that every now and then. Kids don’t seem to be far all together and events like Kids Week Bronx Exploration keep them interested. And last but not the least and certainly the one I’m most excited about is the Lula Washington Dance Theatre that’s coming to New York and will be performing at Pace plaza on this February 24th.
6. Exemplary Comeback tied up with some issues
It is agreed that lower Manhattan has made comeback since the 9/11 attacks but that success now seems to be affecting the quality of life with a sidewalk was getting erupted there. With all the developments have given rise to some issues and the general phenomenon is that it’s overly crowded. Thousands of commuters walk down the aisle each day and with another group of wandering tourists, the human traffic is just too much. Other than that, there are security barriers around landmarks and key government places have made the way which wasn't present before. The overcrowding has also led to trash and smelly garbage bags pouring in and coming from all places.
The quality of life here is certainly at a risk and it seems obvious that in the coming years native will start looking for other places leaving this ever multiplying enclave of skyscrapers but one thing is for sure, Lower Manhattan is re-born and is there for everyone to see.