Levine silent,
but still leads
big in Manhattan
borough president
fund-raising race
BY MICHAEL ROCK
The New York City Campaign Finance
Board has released further
matching funds to candidates in
races citywide this year, including that for
Manhattan Borough President.
With $1,116,087 approved, Councilmember
Mark Levine leads in the race in
funding by a country mile, yet he declined
to comment on his recent fortune.
Councilmeber Ben Kallos has come out
in second with $393,794 and credited his
grassroots donor base for driving his support.
“Talking to New Yorkers every day I
can hear our campaign is resonating with
people–working people, not millionaires or
the real estate lobby,” said Kallos.
City Councilman Mark Levine
“Working people from every part of Manhattan
are the ones funding this race thanks
to the campaign fi nance laws I helped put
into place. So far we are very happy with
where we are on receiving matching funds
payments and confi dent we will be where
we want to be very soon,” he added.
At $303,358, Elizabeth Caputo came in
third, while former Deputy Secretary of
Economic Development for New York State
Lindsey Boylan came trailed at $259,783.
“In just the few short months since we
started our campaign for borough president,
we saw a surge of grassroots contributors
across Manhattan who share our excitement
for the most progressive policy platform in
this election. It’s invigorating to have hit this
milestone in less than half the time as any
other candidate in this race, and to see our
supporters lifted up by the City’s incredible
matching funds program,” said Boylan.
“I’m so proud of the momentum we’ve
built together in this race, from receiving the
Grand Street Dems endorsement last week
to hearing from grassroots supporters every
day from across Manhattan. Today’s development
enables us to keep amplifying our
message and connect with even more voters
on our path to victory in June,” she added.
Newest addition to World Trade Center
complex includes 330 affordable housing
units for families making $51,000
BY MARK HALLUM
The Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey voted to select developers
Brookfi eld and Silverstein for
the buildout on 5 World Trade Center that
is slated to have the highest concentration
of affordable housing units in one building
in the city.
Under the Mandatory Inclusionary
Housing requirement by the city, Port
Authority plans to monetize the space at
130 Liberty St. with shovels in the ground
in 2023.
But despite the pricy real estate putting
the average area median income at 100,000
for the three family household, Port Authority
will be requiring a minimum of
$51,000 a year from potential tenants.
At the Feb. 11 commissioners meeting,
Port Authority Executive Director Rick
Cotton spoke of the $3 billion gap being
driven into their fi nances by March 2022
by COVID-19 and the future need for cash
fl ow in the coming years.
“The income limits are lower than is
actually mandated by the current city
program, so that the maximum income,”
Cotton said.
This equals out to about 25% of the
1.56 million square foot project set aside
for permanent affordable housing, according
to Port Authority Chief Development
Offi cer Derek Utter.
Just south of the refl ecting pools, the site
of 5 World Trade Center was a Deutsche
PHOTO BY DON POLLARD/OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton
Bank building that was damaged during
the terrorist attacks on 9/11. After changing
hands in 2004 and a fi re in 2007, the
building was completely demolished and
the property was then transferred to the
transit agency.
The new building is projected to be 900
feet tall, according to Utter, generating $2
billion in economic output and 10,000 jobs
through construction and indirect work.
“This is a signifi cant step towards
completing the World Trade Center
campus,” Utter said. “It will also contribute
to regional economic recovery
and provide major contracting opportunities
for minority and women business
enterprises, as well as those owned by
disabled veterans. It’ll add permanent
affordable housing to lower Manhattan,
and it will deliver in a community facility
and amenity space which I’ll highlight in
a moment as well.”
Not only will the project be in close
proximity to the Oculus, but will also but
adjacent to the new St. Nicholas Greek
Orthodox Church which replaced the previous
structure destroyed on 9/11 and will
offer residents about 12,000 square feet of
community space will also be included in
the buildout.
The last section of the campus to be
developed will be 2 World Trade Center.
Send words of inspiration for
#WarmHeartsNYC campaign
New Yorkers are hoping to #warmheartsNYC
as part of the Chinatown
BID’s words of inspiration
campaign. Here are a few examples of what
has been submitted so far:
– “We have faced great hardships lately.
However, our strength and love persist. It
will only grow and expand if you continue
to have faith and share kindness.”
– “Hang in there guys! Be strong – Have
faith – all NYC supports your uniqueness
and diversity and are praying for your
comeback in the near future.”
– “The best is yet to come!!! You can do
it!!!! We can help.” – “You are LOVED,
You are STRONG, You are IMPORTANT,
You are RESILIENT. Keep your head up
and your heart open! We are all in this
together, and we will get through this
together.”
– “Hang in there! There is a light at the
end of the tunnel. You are essential to the
vital color and fabric of NYC!”
You can submit your own words of
inspiration by visiting amny.com/warmheartsnyc.
The contest is open to all ages
and the deadline to submit is March 4.
Those who participate are entered into
sweepstakes with a chance to win a $100
dollar gift card. Winning messages will
be announced on March 25. #warmheartsNYC
#haveyoueatenyet
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
Wellington Z. Chen gestures to the word “peace” on the Chinatown Kiosk.
Schneps Media February 18, 2021 3