Julie Menin, founder and board member of Wall Street Rising, and Vin Cipolla, president of the Municipal Art Society of New York, announced today a strategic alliance to bring new planning and public programming resources to Lower Manhattan. Wall Street Rising was established immediately after the September 11, 2001 to help restore vitality to the financial district.

“With the explosive population growth that has occurred in Lower Manhattan over the past several years, the community is facing enormous infrastructure challenges,” said Ms. Menin, Chairperson of Community Board 1. “After considering several organizations, the board of Wall Street Rising was delighted to partner with MAS, the city’s premier planning and advocacy organization, as we begin to focus attention on new planning initiatives.”

The WSR-MAS alliance has been accomplished through a transfer of stewardship in which Mr. Cipolla succeeds Ms. Menin as president of Wall Street Rising. Ms. Menin remains on the board. She also serves on the MAS board. Wall Street Rising’s financial assets of approximately $1 million will be available to provide funding for joint projects, including strategic planning initiatives and public programming and walking tours that celebrate the history, development and culture of Lower Manhattan.

“The Municipal Art Society’s relationship with Wall Street Rising will strengthen our capacity to advance planning and public education activities focused on this exciting and historic part of the city,” said Mr. Cipolla. “Lower Manhattan remains an extremely important focus for New York City and we are excited to continue our engagement in this area.”

Following September 11, MAS sponsored a number of activities to engage the public in efforts to rebuild Lower Manhattan, including developing and raising the funds for the temporary 9/11 memorial Tribute in Light, and – through the organization’s Imagine New York workshops – giving the public the opportunity weigh in on the designs for the World Trade Center site and the memorial.

Wall Street Rising, located at 55 Exchange Place, houses the Downtown Information Center, which is open to the public and which features a three-dimensional interactive model of Lower Manhattan created by the award-winning design firm Pentagram.