Austin J. Tobin | |
|---|---|
| Director of the Port of New York Authority | |
| In office 1942–1972 | |
| Preceded by | John E. Ramsey |
| Succeeded by | Matthias Lukens |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Austin Joseph Tobin (1903-05-25)May 25, 1903 Brooklyn,New York City, U.S. |
| Died | February 8, 1978(1978-02-08) (aged 74) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Education | |
Austin Joseph Tobin (May 25, 1903 – February 8, 1978) was an American businessman who served as the executive director of the Port of New York Authority, the precursor to thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey, from 1942 until 1972.[1]
Tobin is widely known for authorizing the construction of the originalWorld Trade Center, which was destroyed during theSeptember 11 attacks in 2001.
Tobin was born on May 25, 1903, to anIrish-American family inBrooklyn, New York City. He was educated at theCollege of the Holy Cross andFordham Law School.
Tobin joined thePort Authority in 1927, where he served the first 15 years of his career in the law department. He started out as alaw clerk, and was promoted to assistantgeneral counsel in 1935.[2] In 1942, he was appointed asexecutive director of the Port Authority.[2] During his thirty years as executive director, the agency gained control ofLaGuardia Airport, Idlewild (later renamedJohn F. Kennedy International Airport), andNewark Airport. He oversaw the development of the originalWorld Trade Center, the creation of theLincoln Tunnel, and thePort Authority Bus Terminal.[3] When Mr. Tobin joined the agency as a law clerk it had 300 employees. When he retired as executive director in 1972, the agency had 8,000 employees and an investment of $2.6 billion in bridges, airports, ship terminals and other facilities, including the vast World Trade Center.[1]
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Tobin is noted for his difference of style fromRobert Moses -- most particularly, for his relocation of bus terminal tenants.[3] Tobin also is noted for prioritizing mass transit more than Moses did. Tobin and Moses worked together to help fund and build theVerrazzano–Narrows Bridge and theThrogs Neck Bridge.[4]
In 1966, Tobin receivedThe Hundred Year Association of New York's Gold Medal Award "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the City of New York".
He died on February 8, 1978, inManhattan, New York City, at the age of 74.[1]
In 1982, thePort Authority decided to rename the outdoorplaza at theWorld Trade Center as theAustin J. Tobin Plaza[5] in his honor. The centerpiece of the plaza wasThe Sphere, a 25-foot tall bronze sculpture designed byFritz Koenig. The plaza was destroyed during theSeptember 11 attacks in 2001. TheNational September 11 Memorial now occupies the site.
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| National | |
| Other | |
