NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS
ARCHITECTS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
at
Center for Architecture
536 LaGuardia Place
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
12:00 noon

Summary of Discussion

Attendance:
Mary-Jean Eastman Co-Chair; Richard T. Anderson, Rick Bell, Joan Blumenfeld, Bruse S. Fowle, Mark Ginsberg, Michael Greene, Jordan L. Gruzen, Walter A. Hunt, Leevi Kiil, George Miller, Anthony P. Schrippa, Chris Strom, Karen Thomas, Gerard Vasisko.

Co-Chairman Mary-Jean Eastman welcomed everyone and thanked the AIA New York Chapter for hosting the Council luncheon. She welcomed Mark Ginsberg, newly installed Chapter President and George Miller, Past President, who is serving on the National AIA Board.

Ms. Eastman asked for and received approval of the minutes of the Council meeting held on December 3, 2003.

She also reported that the next meeting will be held on February 25 at Brennan Beer Gorman/Architects and the speaker will be MTA New York City Transit Chief Architect, Porie Saikia-Eapen.

Discussion
The featured agenda item was a discussion of New York New Visions led by Chapter Executive Director Rick Bell. He used a PowerPoint presentation to highlight the work of New York New Visions since September 11, 2001. It is made up of 21 organizations and has emphasized key principles to guide Lower Manhattan redevelopment. A report was released last year with the following key elements:

• An open memorial process.
• Improved transportation.
• Support diverse uses.
• Encourage balanced growth.
• Promote environmental quality.
• Leverage cultural resources.

Mr. Bell highlighted the progress on these principles as well as remaining issues. The effort has included several teams that are focused on individual aspects of Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center site. New York New Visions has reached several conclusions:

• Rebuild better and more sustainably.
• Create an inclusive planning process.
• Honor the place and lives lost.
• Advocate for public participation.

Mr. Bell also reviewed other steps undertaken by the group, including substantial work with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation on the planning process and the memorial program. He said a number of short-term and long-term achievements have been reached, which will be useful to the City going forward. The AIA New York Chapter has played a major role in all of this and will continue to do so. Bruce Fowle, who has played a leadership role in New York New Visions, praised the work of AIA members in the overall effort. He initiated a discussion of lessons learned, particularly for the City of New York in the years ahead.

Mr. Miller suggested that the importance of design is more widely accepted now and others suggested that the President’s Council of design and planning organizations should be engaged in taking advantage of this new found prominence for the architecture community.

Mr. Anderson suggested that the lessons of New York New Visions should be discussed with the President’s Council at an upcoming meeting. It was agreed that steps such as this should be pursued.

Ms. Eastman thanked everyone for a highly-informative meeting and reminded all firms to make every effort to have a principal at each Council luncheon.

Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

Prepared by,

Richard T. Anderson
President
RTA/rc