NEW YORK.-The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation today detailed next steps to ensure that all stakeholders will have the ability to view and comment on the International Freedom Center's (IFC) submission of more specific plans, program and governance structure. The LMDC will post the submission on its website when it is made available to them, and will provide a link enabling the public to comment. The submission was requested by the LMDC Board and its Chairman John C. Whitehead at the August 11th meeting of the LMDC Board of Directors in response to concerns raised about the IFC by various stakeholders, including victims' family members.

“In August, on behalf of the LMDC Board, I stated that this submission would be presented to the public prior to a decision,” said LMDC Chairman John C. Whitehead. “Through these efforts we continue our open, public process.”

“We’ve asked the IFC to present its submission in this way so as to ensure that the LMDC can make a decision that is informed by public input,” said LMDC President Stefan Pryor. “Any judgments that are made prior to the IFC’s submission would be premature.”

The IFC will present their submission at a meeting of the LMDC Families Advisory Council next week and is scheduled to publicly present their proposed plans, program and governance structure to a Community Board 1 meeting on September 28th and a New York New Visions Forum and Workshop on September 29th. The LMDC will utilize these events to obtain additional feedback and commentary on the IFC proposal. Stakeholders are also encouraged to comment on the submission on the LMDC website at www.RenewNYC.com.

The LMDC Board will use the public comments and feedback gathered through this public process to inform their discussions and determine how to proceed. Throughout the process LMDC Facilitator Peter Woodin will be present to compile and analyze comments received. Previously Deputy Special Master for the federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Peter Woodin has already been participating in individual and group conversations and forums involving family members and other stakeholders.