"He was one of the first, if not the very first, to figure out how to tap federal funds that were sitting out there waiting to be used for redevelopment projects," said Norman Marcus, who worked with Mr. Logue as general counsel to the New York City Planning Commission from 1963 to 1985.
The Capital City Economic Development Authority, a quasi-public agency charged with overseeing Adriaen's Landing and other state-funded redevelopment projects in Hartford, is also working to bring more housing downtown, revitalize the ailing Hartford Civic Center, and bring more parking to the downtown area.
Mr. Obama also worked on housing redevelopment projects involving Antoin Rezko, who became one of Mr. Obama's most generous donors.
The local Victorian government has committed $386 million to this initial redevelopment project with more work in the planning phase, all of which underscores the fact that the Australian Open, once by far the least prestigious Grand Slam tournament, continues to gain prestige and clout.
Even if the development corporation has less responsibilty at thesite, it will continue work on broader redevelopment projects throughout Lower Manhattan.
One would ban contributions from those involved in redevelopment projects, and the other would cap at $300 donations from individuals who work for the city.
Calik Gayrimenkul manages the conglomerate's redevelopment projects.
Using redevelopment funds to pay other city workers is justified, she and other city officials say, because they are overseeing redevelopment projects.
The Victoria Theater is the latest in a string of redevelopment projects along 125th Street.
"These cities would have prospered without redevelopment projects," Mr. Glaeser said.
