The Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association was created in 1958 by consolidating two civic groups, the Downtown Manhattan Association and the Committee on Lower Manhattan.  Founded by David Rockefeller, it is an organization of key Downtown stakeholders committed to a vibrant business community below Canal Street.  It serves as a networking platform for senior corporate and nonprofit executives, as well as a public policy forum and advocate for Lower Manhattan.

The D-LMA challenged the classic notion of a world-class business district in 1993 with calls for housing, schools and parkland in the Lower Manhattan Plan. In 1995, it created the largest business improvement district in North America, the Alliance for Downtown New York.

Since September 11, 2001, the D-LMA has worked closely with community and government leaders to rebuild and modernize Lower Manhattan’s infrastructure. Most recently, the D-LMA led the charge for the timely completion of the Fulton Transit Center and fought to relocate the proposed 9/11 terrorist trials outside of Lower Manhattan.

The D-LMA continues to serve as a vehicle for Lower Manhattan’s business and institutional leaders to interact and develop goals and objectives. It works with government and business leaders to make sure Downtown remains one of the world’s premier business districts.

David Rockefeller Unveiling Plans for Lower Manhattan (Courtesy of The Rockefeller Foundation)