Forest City Ratner Companies Holds Celebration for New York's First New Commercial Office Building Since 9/11, and Final Building in the MetroTech Center Complex.
Business Editors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 2002
"Topping-Out" Ceremony Held as Final Steel Beam is Installed On Last
Building At Metrotech Center
Forest City Ratner Companies recently held a "topping out" ceremony and celebration for 9 MetroTech Center South, the 19-story, 670-000 square foot development that is the first commercial office building constructed in New York City since the terrorist attacks on September 11th. The ceremony commemorated the installation of the last steel beam in the final building in the MetroTech Center complex that has been a catalyst in the renaissance of Downtown Brooklyn over the last decade and a half.
Bruce C. Ratner, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Forest City Ratner Companies, the developer of the MetroTech complex and of 9 MetroTech Center South, was joined at the festivities by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Dr. Michael A. Stocker, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the largest health insurer in New York State; and by officials from the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA). Empire will serve as the building's anchor tenant, occupying approximately 395,000 square feet of office space housing 1,300 employees displaced by the destruction of 1 World Trade Center, while 700 HRA employees will occupy approximately 193,000 square feet of office space. Following the ceremony - in which Mr. Ratner, Borough President Markowitz, Dr. Stocker, and elected officials and civic, business and community leaders affixed their signatures to the final steel beam before it was installed in the topping-out ceremony - an informal luncheon was held to thank the construction workers and others whose efforts have enabled the development to come to fruition.
"The topping-out of this building brings us one step closer to completing our vision for MetroTech Center," said Bruce C. Ratner. "And, as the first commercial office building developed in the city since 9/11, this achievement stands as a testament to New Yorkers' historic determination to endure and thrive in the face of adversity," he said.
Dr. Michael A. Stocker said, "Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud to play a part in the revitalization of Downtown Brooklyn, which re-affirms our long-term commitment to the healthcare needs of New Yorkers by serving as the anchor tenant at the final building at MetroTech Center."
