The Transformation of Lower Manhattan 15 Years After 9/11

NEW YORK, NY — It's been almost 15 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center killed 2,753 people in Lower Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001. Despite the devastation, Lower Manhattan has recovered and evolved, according to a new report from the state attorney general.

On Sept. 6, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released a report focused on Lower Manhattan that shows the area's residential, commercial and tourist advancements over the years.

“It would have been impossible, in the midst of the unspeakable tragedy suffered 15 years ago, to imagine Lower Manhattan as we know it today,” DiNapoli said. “The terror attacks forged determined partnerships — between the local community, government, and the private and not-for-profit sectors — that made Lower Manhattan’s renaissance possible. The downtown Manhattan area enjoys a diversified employment base and strong annual job growth. Lower Manhattan is doing more than rebuilding, it is transforming and moving forward with resilience and hope.”

According to the report, the population living below Chambers Street has doubled from 22,700 in 2000 to 49,000 in 2014. A lot of Lower Manhattan residents are also young professionals, with more than 77 percent of Lower Manhattan’s population under 45 years old. The number of children also tripled to 7,300 from 200o to 2014. The opening of two Pace University residential dorms in Lower Manhattan has additionally attracted a growing number of young people.

The area surrounding the former Twin Towers has turned into a booming business district. Prestigious companies like Condé Nast, Time Inc. and HarperCollins are all located in Lower Manhattan, and there's been substantial growth in restaurants, business services, hotels, health care and personal industries in the area. Private sector jobs had grown to 228,300 by 2015, with restaurant and hotel jobs doubling since 2002.

New retail complexes, improved mass transit, new office buildings and the general feeling of liveliness attracted more than 14 million tourists to the Lower Manhattan in 2015.

“Since the attacks 15 years ago, the revitalization of Lower Manhattan has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen. “Whether rebuilding the skyline, diversifying its business and retail base, or expanding the area's residential capacity, Lower Manhattan continues to charge ahead with the spirit and strength you would only expect from this city.”

More than 23 million tourists visited the National September 11 Memorial, and 4 million had visited the Memorial Museum as of 2015. The One World Trade Center Observatory also attracted 2.3 million visitors in its first year of operation.

With new residential units, office spaces and retail stores continuously being built in the area, Lower Manhattan continues on the path to renewal and shows no signs of stopping.

Photo courtesy of Phil Dolby/Flickr