Zeckendorf is probably the man most responsible for the United Nations being located in NYC where it is today:
Philadelphia would be selected, and so certain did the choice seem, that in December, 1946, Philadelphia was in process of condemning property for its proposed UN location...
"We've been up all night patching up the details, but its going to work. The old man [Rockefeller] is going to give that 8.5 million dollars to the UN, and they're going to take your property."...
On Saturday, December 14, eight days after my first call to [Mayor] O'Dwyer, the General Assembly formally approved New York City as the site for United Nations headquarters...
Another constructive and important result of my involvement with the United Nations is that it led to my first meeting with the Rockefellers, whose vision and magnanimity made the UN settlement in New York possible...
At the dedication ceremonies for the new buildings, my wife and I were seated well to the back of the area, while a great many others, who had far less to do with the realization of the project, were at the front and center of activities...
The official proposed site in NYC was rejected out of hand by the UN and it seemed certain the Philadelphia had beat out San Francisco as the eventual site but for Bill Zeckendorf's foresight and action. Yet it is the Rockefellers who get the credit for changing history and Bill Zeckendorf is largely forgotten.
Like I said - enjoying this book very much.
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