doing all of the planning with the different agencies, the different challenges that are here. there are a lot of challenges that have been presented by this complex, futuristic, a beautifully designed building. there is just going to be such a transformation of the whole downtown and community because of this project. but it is also because of a transit center to replace what was here was the center, and their times, a transportation hub for the bay area when the old terminal was here. and so, in the vision of our city, and when maria took this up, she knew, because she had worked for a number of different mayors throughout the process, envisioning what this would mean to the future of our city, that we do need a brand new transit center that is not only modern, not only has all

the amenities that you heard, whether it is housing, office, so forth. that it represents the future of our city. because at the center of it, the box for the high-speed rail. that is where we ultimately want to land. i want to make sure that this is the center hub for all of northern california. that is where the high-speed rail will end. it will also represent, as supervisor kim said, 145,000 jobs. take a look at the covers and mason workers behind me. they know they have a job for a long time and they cannot afford to live in the city without a good paying jobs. and we have more jobs to come as a result of this. this is part of our economic engine. it is also the story we will tell as to why the federal government has to -- they just have to pass the transportation

authorization extension plan. without that, this would be challenged, and doral drive would be challenged. every major transportation mode of any significance in the bay area would be challenged. we're already hearing from caltrans about the nervousness they have if that transportation reauthorization is not done quickly. so we need that on the national level. that is why we're continuing to use this as an example of how we as the city can work together with city agencies, community- based agencies, our friends in labor and business, to promote one of the most beautiful, very challenging complex, but it will be a beautiful addition to the old downtown skyline and functionality. so today we are celebrating this milestone where all of the demolition has been completed. that is the finished phase one. it has been remarkable.

not one word-related accident has happened in all of these thousands of hours put together. by the way, of all the work our that were mentioned, over 80% of those jobs went to nine county residents in the bay area for these jobs. all the demolition, carpentry work, removal of terror. now we begin these pilings, these five games. there will be 500 of these going in. so this is more than just a beautiful project. it is job producing. it is the most important thing we can be doing while we look at and shake our heads as to why other cities cannot do this or why the state is not promoting more of these types of transit- related projects. that is our future of the city. that is also why we need to continue talking about and making sure we make sure that not only does the high-speed rail and appear, but we promote

the completion of the central subway. despite some political shenanigans, as i call it, for creating more doubt, we do not have out in the city family, nor in the state family of agencies. time and again, they have approved the central subway as part of our future that links north and south. you have to ask one simple question. where is all the new housing being developed in our city? it is in visitation valley, hunter's point shipyard, mission bay. how do you connect everyone through the city? from the subway. and in and around this transit hub. so we have to connect everybody. we have to make sure it is done right. we would so be regretting any doubts that we cannot complete the central subway. there is no doubt in my mind and we will get that, grant agreement going by the end of the year. so for anyone to challenge that

at this time, i think it is political shenanigans and really ticks on kind of a challenge to our future that i would think would be disastrous. so with that, i want to congratulate everyone here for finishing this space, and also to announce that we have for your handouts today, the district plans -- transit plan, the plan that will detail something that i know john ram and the whole team has been working really hard on in detail, is to present this plan, and for you to see all the buildings, all the 300 acres of open space and parks presented here. the difference basis both privately and publicly invested in. again, this has been part of the redevelopment approach to this using tax increment to provide investment funding and using our public dollars in the most maximum way to make sure there is private dollars invested in the buildings, not only in the

district, but surrounding it. you will have thousands of new homes that will be built right here along with the open space. it is a wonderful design. i invite you to get a copy of this. i hope there are enough copies to go around. it is the transit district plan that you should focus on. that is the design that we are building right here. i look for to put my initials of immortality on to this beam in a few minutes. [applause] >> again, we do have copies of the district rent-a-center plan. -- center plan. we will be releasing the plan which will allow the development of many high rises in the neighborhood, both in the transbay and in surrounding neighborhoods, that will bring funding to the tjpa to continue

funding which will bring railroads in, infrastructure that is badly needed in the neighborhood, funding for parks and many other amenities. i invite you to look at this transit district plan brochure that was put together by the planning department. now i want to invite mayor lee to sign the eye beam that will be coming in as part of the shoring wall. mayor lee. >> should i leave room for anybody else? what is today's date?

how about that. all right.

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>> and now i have the pleasure to introduce to you the may year of the great city of san francisco, the honorable edwin lee, followed by the executive director of the interfaith council, michael pappas. mayor lee. [applause] >> good afternoon, everyone. it is my personal honor and pleasure to join you here today

along with the interfaith council and our fantastic orchestra and opera and to celebrate and commemorate this 9/11 event. a decade after the terrorist attacks occurred on it 9/11, we continue to struggle to make sense of the terrible events of that day. while san francisco is more than 3,000 miles away from the attacks on twin towers and the pentagon, we felt the devastation and loss keenly in our city, and we will continue to remember and honor those who passed. it is important to me into the people of san francisco that remember and honor the fallen, including hometown american heroes like betty young and mark bingham. betty's call for a flight 11 was the first indication that america was under attack, and

she relayed vital information to the ground crew. mark russell for control of united airlines flight 93, rather than allow hi-jackers to fulfill their mission. 10 years ago, we also learned about the final moments of san francisco resident melissa hughes who was the victim of terrorism in the twin towers. to read about her final phone calls to her loved ones is just as heartbreaking today as it was 10 years ago. to all the families across the nation who suffered and still suffer today, we offer our profound sympathy saiies. while we remember these and other victims and first responders, we should take time to reflect on what 9/11 means for all of us and to take to heart president barack obama's call to come together in the spirit of service and unity. there are many events in san

francisco, from sporting events to festivals and other community events today, that help us do that while we honor the victims and celebrate the service and heroism of our first responders and military personnel. one such way to commemorate the day with peaceful and unifying nature of music at today's event. earlier this morning, i enjoyed over 500 volunteers with the interfaith council at the hands of the bay -- hands on the bay area. another weekend remember and honor the tragic events 10 years ago is to make sure that the city, it's families and individuals, we are prepared for emergencies, whether man-made or natural disasters. september marks the national prepared this month, and the city's website 72hours.org stands ready to assist you with your making a family emergency

plan, building a disaster could, or need voluntary training. since september 11, 2001, san francisco has greatly improved its ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. just this month i announced the creation of the joint powers authority to govern a bay area wide public safety communications system after the bay area was awarded a $50 million grant to build a broadband communications network for public safety agencies. we know that emergencies do not stop at our city borders, and we must be prepared to seamlessly communicate with other public safety personnel throughout the bay area. we have also strengthened our infrastructure, trained our personnel, and are preparing the community so that we can rapidly recover from any emergency. it is now 10 years later, and we're more prepared, stronger,

and ready. the 9/11 attacks represent an unimaginable tragedy in the history of our country. but at the same time, the lessons learned from that day continue to help us grow and become stronger the events of september 11, 2001 change the world and redefined our nation. not only the scope of these threat -- a tragedy, but also the demonstration of compassion and generosity that occurred in the hours, weeks, and months following.