On April 21st, I attended the Annual Meeting of the Downtown Alliance, the Business Improvement District for Lower Manhattan. This semi-governmental agency provides a host of wonderful support and services for the Lower Manhattan community with a budget of over $18.3 million.

At the Meeting, we listened to our guest speaker, Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation who spoke eloquently about the many projects and responsibilities that her department is tasked with undertaking including safety, keeping all of the transportation elements in a state of good repair, and of mobility for pedestrians, bikers, cars, and subways and trains. It is indeed a big job which includes over 6,000 miles of train track, 13,000 traffic signals, and over 1 million street signs!

Since its inception in 1995, The Downtown Alliance has been brilliantly led by Robert (Bob) Douglas who I am so privileged and honored to have as a friend. So, this meeting was indeed bitter/sweet for me as it was Bob’s last meeting a Chairman of this organization. After more than 25 years, Bob is stepping down as our Chairman and a new one will be elected.

I congratulate Bob on all of his thousands upon thousands of accomplishments and wish him continued success and happiness with all of his future endeavors.