Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2000

Release #417-00

 

CONTACT:

 

Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter 212/788-2958
Valerie Lewis 212/835-2759 (Downtown Alliance)

MAYOR GIULIANI AND THE DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE HONOR
DAVID ROCKEFELLER AT CLOCK DEDICATION CEREMONY


Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Downtown Alliance Chairman Robert R. Douglass and Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern today dedicated a four-sided 15'-4" bronze pedestal clock, in honor of David Rockefeller's tremendous contributions to the City of New York. The clock, which is located at Millennium Park in Lower Manhattan and was paid for by the Downtown Alliance, was cast from the original mold of the classic E.W. Howard Post Clock.

"This clock is dedicated to David Rockefeller, a man who has given the better part of his life to ensuring that Lower Manhattan remains a vibrant commercial and civic center," said Mayor Giuliani. "As a leader of Chase Bank in the 1950s, David was instrumental in convincing the bank to build its new headquarters in Lower Manhattan. Later, as Chairman of the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association, David was the driving force behind plans to develop the South Street Seaport, build Battery Park City and construct the World Trade Center. The revitalized Lower Manhattan that New Yorkers know today bears the mark of his planning and vision, and it is only appropriate that this clock, located in Millennium Park, be dedicated to a man who has contributed so much."

A plaque at the base of the clock reads, "This clock is a gift to the City of New York from the Alliance of Downtown New York, Inc. In Honor of David Rockefeller, whose efforts on behalf of New York City and Downtown, from his time as Assistant to Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia to his years as the Chairman of the Chase Manhattan Bank and the Downtown Lower Manhattan Association, provided the extraordinary civic leadership that guided downtown for over half a century."

"My first job right after completing graduate school in 1940 was with Mayor
LaGuardia at City Hall," said David Rockefeller. "Following three-and-a-half years of wartime service in the Army, I went to work for the Chase National Bank at 18 Pine Street, where I remained for 35 years. I still return frequently to Lower Manhattan, even though my office is in Rockefeller Center, so my working life has revolved around this area. Our great City was born in Lower Manhattan, and I believe it will always be its vibrant financial center. I applaud Mayor Giuliani's decision to restore City Hall Park and I am honored that the Downtown Alliance, led by its Chairman, Bob Douglass, donated this magnificent clock in my name."

The clock is part of the Downtown New York Streetscape Plan, a comprehensive program that includes the installation of new traffic signs, street furniture, and street lighting, as well as the reconstruction of Broadway's sidewalks and curbs. Ultimately, the new streetscape will convey the spirit of Downtown as a place that combines the best of the City's past with the technological promise of its future, thus creating a more welcoming place for people to work, live and visit.

"The installation of this clock has provided the opportunity for all of us Downtown to say a most well-deserved 'thank you' to David Rockefeller, a man who has done more for Downtown, over a longer period, than anyone," said Downtown Alliance Chairman Douglass. "From his time as assistant to another indomitable mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, to his years as head of the Chase and the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association, David's vision, perseverance and great skill laid the groundwork for today's success."

Parks Commissioner Stern said, "Cities are known by their clocks. London has Big Ben and now New York has the Millenium Clock. May it run peacefully for at least 1,000 years."


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