New York City Council proposes marketplace at World Trade Center site

<br>NEW YORK (AP) _ The New York City Council has proposed that a public market be included in the plans for redevelopment at the World Trade Center site. <br><br>Council Speaker Gifford Miller announced

Friday, August 16th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ The New York City Council has proposed that a public market be included in the plans for redevelopment at the World Trade Center site.

Council Speaker Gifford Miller announced the idea Thursday as part of the council's recommendations for rebuilding lower Manhattan. He said a market would provide a sense of ``energy'' and would serve both residents and office workers.

``It creates a street feel that is different than other places in the city and that we think should be considered as we go forward,'' Miller said.

Matthew Higgins, spokesman for the Lower Manhattan Development Corp., said planners are enthusiastic about the idea.

``We are going to study the report, but after an initial read, we're pleased that there seems to be broad agreement on many of the fundamental principles for redevelopment,'' Higgins told The New York Times.

The Council has no formal authority over the site, but has held numerous hearings to discuss development proposals. Its recommendations have included affordable housing and environmentally friendly buildings.

The Lower Manhattan Development Corp. said earlier this week that it was soliciting new designs for the trade center site. Three proposals will be chosen by the end of the year, and a final plan is expected to be chosen in the spring of 2003.

Officials said Thursday that they hope to pick a design for a memorial at the site by Sept. 11, 2003, the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks.