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History 2000

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RPA's recent activities and accomplishments have been shaped by the Third Regional Plan and by history. Most notably, shortly after September 11, RPA convened the Civic Alliance to Rebuild Downtown New York, a coalition of more than 75 business, community and environmental groups representing a cross-section of New York and the Region that is providing a broad "umbrella" for civic planning and advocacy efforts in support of the rebuilding process. The Alliance has helped the civic community play a crucial role in the process, hosting the historic Listening to the City forums and working closely with rebuilding officials on development principles and project ideas.

In Open Space, RPA is proud to have played a prominent role in two recent milestones for the Region: acquisition of the Keyspan property on Long Island Sound and the return of Governors Island to the people of New York.

In Transportation,RPA convened and continues to work with the Empire State Transportation Alliance to secure funding for vital transportation projects. Efforts were originally organized around the last MTA capital plan - which successfully provided funding for Second Avenue Subway and East Side Access. After 9/11, the Governor called upon ESTA to provide recommendations for reviving Lower Manhattan's transit system, most of which were adopted. ESTA is currently pursuing funding for New York in the reauthorization of federal transportation legislation.

In Community Design, RPA kicked off the highly successful New Jersey Mayors' Institute, which has already been held five times. The Institute has provided dozens of ambitious NJ mayors with the resources they need to tackle difficult smart growth issues and plan for the future. RPA also participated in the creation of a Comprehensive Plan for the City of Stamford, Connecticut, completed in 2002.

In Workforce & the Economy, the Civic Alliance published Reports from the Economic Development Working Group, which included an analysis of the Manhattan and regional office market, an examination of the future of Lower Manhattan as a creative center for the region, and economic development recommendations for the district. RPA also organized a Community Design Workshop for East Harlem, completed the New York region's Area-Wide Job Access and Reverse Commute Transportation Plan, and developed recommendations for a new central business district in Long Island City for Senator Charles Schumer's Group of 35.