is charged with assisting New York City in recovering from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and ensuring the emergence of Lower Manhattan as a strong and vibrant community.

In all, the LMDC awarded 38 grants after receiving 266 applications seeking a total of $191 million, more than 10 times the amount that was available. Eligibility was limited to nonprofits or government agencies with projects below Houston Street.
One organization that applied for a grant but did not receive funding was Park51, the mosque and community center two blocks north of the World Trade Center site.

Park51's request for funding sparked controversy among those who did not want to see an Islamic center so close to the site of the 9/11 attacks. It appears that Park51 did not meet the eligibility requirements because the organization has not yet received its nonprofit certification.