Mannahatta Park

Parks & Recreation And Deutsche Bank Unveil Memorial Fountain In Lower Manhattan

IMMEDIATE
Friday, November 16, 2007
No. 151
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Deutsche Bank Americas CEO Seth Waugh, and Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin today cut the ribbon on a new ornamental fountain located at Manahatta Park in Lower Manhattan. The project was made possible by Deutsche Bank’s donation of $400,000 for the fountain’s construction and maintenance. The Wall Street Fountain is a gift to the City of New York in recognition of the bank’s employees who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as well as a testament to the enduring spirit of the citizens of New York.

“Lower Manhattan is turning greener than ever and Deutsche Bank’s generous contribution to this project extends our commitment to revitalize parks and plazas throughout the neighborhood,” said Commissioner Benepe. “The fountain and surrounding plaza will provide residents, workers, and tourists a place for peaceful respite within the bustling Wall Street community. Today’s ribbon cutting with Deutsche Bank is yet another successful example of our effort to promote public-private partnerships.”

“Wall Street is Deutsche Bank’s home in the Americas, and this fountain will be a beautiful focal-point for the neighborhood as well as a reminder of the family, friends, neighbors and colleagues we lost on 9/11,” said Seth Waugh, CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas. “We are strong believers in public-private partnerships, which make events like this possible, and we applaud the City’s leadership in this area.”

The structural glass fountain features a nautical-inspired light, which captures sun or moon light that reflects with the luster of a gem. The fountain expands its form into continuous radial rings staring from the apex to a raised glass veneer planter to multiple surrounding landscaped planting beds. Public seating is provided continuously along a central promenade in the form of structural glass cubes that illuminate with polished granite slabs.

The construction of the fountain is part of the $1.2 million renovation of Manahatta Park, funded by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), which is the surrounding plaza. The reconstruction of this area includes new granite seating, ornamental plantings and informal tables and chairs to welcome lunch crowds. In 2003, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki announced a major initiative with the LMDC to rejuvenate parks and create new green spaces throughout Lower Manhattan. The Parks Department has reached out to neighboring corporations and individuals in an effort to support the revitalization of the sites. A new decorative fountain at Manahatta Park could not have been possible without the support of Deutsche Bank. The Bank committed $250,000 for the fountain’s construction and an endowment of $150,000 to secure its future maintenance.

Deutsche Bank <NYSE: DB> is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With 77,920 employees in 75 countries, including more than 13,000 in the United States, Deutsche Bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people. www.db.com.