NEW YORK CITY — Despite being hit hard by a long economic slump after the 9/11 attacks, Lower Manhattan is showing dramatic and sustained growth 7 years after the tragedy.
A study released by the Alliance for Downtown New York says that job growth, residential development, population growth, new retail and restaurants, and tourism growth have all increased over the past years. With that, some of most interesting statistics include:
• 200 firms have relocated to Lower Manhattan since 2005
• 312,000 workers make up Lower Manhattan’s employee population
• 12,000 housing units have been built in Lower Manhattan since 2001
• 6 million tourists visited Lower Manhattan in 2007
• 3,152 hotel rooms will be added in Lower Manhattan by 2011
• 100 new stores and restaurants have opened in Lower Manhattan since 2002
Elizabeth Berger, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, says Lower Manhattan has emerged as one of the most dynamic live/work communities, something many never thought would happen so quickly after 9/11.
“Lower Manhattan is now the place where world-class companies want to do business,” says Berger. “A green walk-to-work lifestyle, unmatched public transportation, great schools, great shopping, great restaurants, historical sites that define our nation — this is just the beginning of what Lower Manhattan will be in the future.”