FYI: Councilmember Alan Gerson, who represents lower Manhattan, put forth a plan yesterday that he’s calling the “Livability First Blueprint” for rebuilding the neighborhood. With the World Trade Center site plan chosen and redevelopment gearing up, Gerson says, now’s the time to look at design and construction details with an eye toward what people living in the area need and want. Gerson’s blueprint urges developers to remain conscious of nine key issues as the city rebuilds, ranging from environmental health to the impact on street life. Developers should respect “green building” principles, for instance, but also be mindful of environmental hazards during construction. These sorts of interim measures run throughout Gerson’s recommendations, as he notes that the area’s residents will have to live alongside the rebuilding projects for years. [5/9/03]