Leaders, New Yorkers reflect and look ahead on eve of 9/11 anniversary
LOWER MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) -- As the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaches, Lower Manhattan stands as a symbol of both remembrance and renewal, with residents, workers and leaders reflecting on the area's transformation over the past quarter-century.
"There's still the memorial and everything, so we do remember it, but it's more vibrant and we see more life here now," said a Lower Manhattan office worker.
Once known primarily as a financial district, Lower Manhattan has evolved into a broader community in the years since the attacks.
"You really never really thought it could probably get to this. So, it's pretty incredible," said one tourist. "It's sad that that's what we had to happen, but I'd say it's pretty incredible."
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For those who witnessed the aftermath of Sept. 11 firsthand, the area's recovery remains remarkable.
"In one of the most dire circumstances, if not the most dire, that New York City ever faced, we bounced back," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
In an Eyewitness News interview, Schumer recalled the challenges facing the city in the days after the attacks and said it seemed unimaginable on Sept. 12, 2001, that Lower Manhattan could be rebuilt. He said he fought for federal funding to support the recovery effort.
"It was utterly amazing to me. You know, here we had the greatest terrorist attack in America-and clearly, New York was ailing. And New York's important to America-how many of those from other parts of the country didn't want to help New York, or people who were critical," Schumer said.
Schumer ultimately persuaded President George W. Bush to provide $20 billion to help rebuild Lower Manhattan.
Asked what might be different if the World Trade Center attack occurred in 2026 rather than 2001, Schumer pointed to the political environment at the time.
"Look, if you had so many people putting gridlock in the way of so many different things, who knows what would have happened?" Schumer said. "At least then there was a lot of bipartisanship. And I had Republicans-George Bush. As I told him my story, he said he didn't care that New York hadn't voted for him. He didn't care that New York was not Republican. When I surprised him and asked for $20 billion, he said, 'You got it.'"
Following a meeting with firefighters in Lower Manhattan, Gov. Kathy Hochul called on Americans to embrace a spirit of unity.
"My wish, my heartfelt wish, is people will set aside their divisiveness, their differences, and rekindle the spirit that existed in the city on September 12th," she said.
As New York prepares to mark 25 years since the attacks, officials and residents alike say Lower Manhattan's recovery remains a testament to resilience, while the memory of those lost continues to shape the community.
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