Oral History with Kevin Rampe

Oral history interview with Kevin Rampe and Amy Weinstein on September 24, 2024. 

Kevin Rampe is the former President and Chair of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), and is a Founding Trustee of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. In this interview, Rampe reflects on his leadership role in the planning and redevelopment of Lower Manhattan following the September 11, 2001, attacks. He recounts his experience on 9/11 as First Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department, describing the confusion, fear, and immediate response in Lower Manhattan, as well as the personal loss of his friend Neil David Levin. Rampe discusses joining the LMDC in early 2002 and explains how the corporation's broad mission evolved through extensive public engagement, emphasizing the importance of listening to victims' families, residents, public officials, and other stakeholders in shaping the future of the World Trade Center site. He examines the challenges of balancing remembrance with revitalization, the evolution of the World Trade Center Master Plan, the Memorial Design Competition, and the collaborative process that ultimately led to the creation of the 9/11 Memorial. Rampe also reflects on the leadership of figures including Governor George Pataki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Daniel Libeskind, Vartan Gregorian, Lee Ielpi, and Paula Berry, and discusses the significance of preserving the Family Room and other spaces that supported victims' families during the rebuilding process. Throughout the interview, he emphasizes the importance of public participation and collective resilience, while reflecting on the emotional toll of the rebuilding process and the enduring responsibility to preserve the history and lessons of September 11 for future generations.