Governor George E. Pataki today announced the return of the greenmarket to Lower Manhattan for the first time since the September 11th attacks. The market was a main attraction at the World Trade Center for over 18 years, and has returned as the Liberty Park Greenmarket, located just a block away from its original location.
“The return of the greenmarket is just another sign of the continuing revitalization and renewal of Lower Manhattan, and one of many steps we are taking to bring back the quality of life for those who live, work and raise their families here in the local community,” Governor Pataki said. “This produce is some of the best in the country, and I encourage everyone to come down to the Liberty Park Greenmarket and grab an apple, some home-baked bread, or a head of lettuce from a local grower, and enjoy the return of this wonderful market.”
“Lower Manhattan is coming back better than ever,” said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “The reopening of the greenmarket will improve the quality of life of those people who live and work downtown and help bring people back to Lower Manhattan. Greenmarkets are an incredible resource and help make neighborhoods and build community among local residents, all necessary components to the transformation of Lower Manhattan into a 24-hour live and work community.”
LMDC Chairman John C. Whitehead said, “This is an important move to bring back an event that has been sorely missed in the Lower Manhattan community. This is more than just a wonderful group of farmers who look forward to sharing the bounty of their harvests with office workers and local residents -- it is also another important symbol of Lower Manhattan’s comeback and revitalization.”
Ric Clark, President and CEO of Brookfield Properties Corporation, said, “The opening of the greenmarket here at Liberty Park marks the next step in a series of initiatives that are being undertaken by the Governor and the LMDC to improve the quality of life in the World Trade Center area for which we are grateful.”
Acting Director of Greenmarket, Tom Strumolo said, “It is our hope that the rebirth of Greenmarket at Liberty Park will lift community spirits, increase pedestrian traffic, and aid local businesses in economic recovery.”
LMDC President Kevin Rampe said, “The World Trade Center site was home for almost two decades to the most successful weekday greenmarket in New York City. Today, thanks to Governor’s Pataki’s unwavering support of this project, we welcome the greenmarket back to Lower Manhattan. Its return will greatly improve the quality of life for Lower Manhattan’s residents, businesses and visitors.”
There will be fifteen growers or producers at the greenmarket, all of whom worked at the World Trade Center greenmarket. Of those farmers, 10 are members of the Pride of New York Program. The Pride of New York Program, created by Governor George E. Pataki and administered by the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, is a voluntary, member-based initiative, developed for the promotion of food and agriculture products grown or processed within New York State. Of 280 markets in New York State, 52 are located in New York City.
The new greenmarket location, which will operate until September, is on the corner of Liberty Street and Broadway, across from the World Trade Center site. The market will include goods such as local fruit, vegetables, cider, flowers, baked goods, jams and jellies, eggs, butter and cheese and will be open every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
The greenmarket project is the first in a series of short-term, quality of life improvements announced by the Governor on April 24. The project was coordinated by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation in conjunction with Brookfield Properties, which donated the use of the park, the New York City Department of Transportation, Community Board 1 and the Downtown Alliance. The market is operated by Greenmarkets, a program of the Council on the Environment of New York City, a privately funded citizens’ organization in the Mayor’s Office.
In upcoming months, LMDC will continue to implement the Governor’s short-term projects, including the reopening of the Millenium High School; the revamping of the Liberty Street Bridge; and the creation of a new pedestrian bridge near Vesey Street, among others. The Governor’s initiatives are intended to improve the quality of life in Lower Manhattan in the short-term, making it a more attractive and convenient place to work, live and visit.
