September 12, 2001

To the AIA Community:

Many thanks for your concern, thoughts and prayers. The New York Chapter office is fine. It is mid-town and away from the destruction of lower Manhattan and all staff are well.

We just heard from the New York Chapter that they "have reliable word that all except one Port Authority employee got out. But we don't know their whereabouts or status. Phone service is sporadic. Some calls get no ring or are always busy or no response at all. And of course members don't always update us when they move."

AIA/NYS has been very concerned about the many architects working for the NYS Port Authority and this is good news! We are also concerned about the architecture firms in and around the World Trade Center (WTC).

Earlier this afternoon we heard that Mancini Duffy people are okay; believe they were in WTC #2. Gruzen Samton had just moved their offices to a location 1 block south of the WTC and they got out ok, but their offices may not be habitable. Two other chapter members, Mark Ginsberg (lives and works in area) and Mick Doyle (lives in area) are all okay but evacuated and Roger Hirsch Architect, who lives 4 blocks and works 5 blocks from WTC, is also okay. Also heard that staff at Gensler's downtown office are okay.

No one is allowed south of 14th street unless they can prove with ID that they live there.

Let's hope and pray that we get more good news as communications start to improve.

Rescue crews and medical personnel are working around the clock. We're all hoping for miracles and need all the prayers we can get. This afternoon, we seem to have had some of our prayers answered. There are still many more who have not been found yet, so prayers are still needed for all victims, their families and friends.

Many AIA components have offered disaster assistance to us. Thank you all very much. Our Disaster Response group is coordinating volunteers and waiting to hear from the Governor. We will coordinate all assistance from other AIA components through AIA National. Again, many thanks for your offers of help. P.S. NBC just confirmed this afternoon the presence of asbestos from the towers.

While we are all engrossed in this tragedy and share the sorrows of so many people, let's remember that life moves forward even after such destruction and I know New York architects and our citizens will design and construct another enviable skyline for lower Manhattan once again.

We will keep the AIA community informed as more details about members are
communicated to us.

Barbara

Barbara J. Rodriguez, Hon.AIA; Executive Vice President/CEO; AIA New York State; phone, 518-449-3334; fax, 518-426-8176; email, barbara@aianys.org.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.