Project 2027 America

A Nonprofit Initiative to Modernize America's Relationship with the UN

The redevelopment of the United Nations headquarters property would offer a historic
opportunity to honor the visionary who first imagined the site’s true potential: real estate
developer William Zeckendorf. Before selling the 17-acre parcel to John D. Rockefeller
for $8.5 million in 1946, Zeckendorf had envisioned a futuristic urban transformation on
the rundown East River waterfront. (Rockefeller donated the property to the UN; and the
federal government provided it with a $65 million interest-free loan for building the
headquarters, which the UN repaid over 25 years.)

By naming the project X City—a nod to Zeckendorf’s original name for the area—the
city could pay tribute to his foresight and ambition while reimagining the space for the
21st century. X City would evoke the innovative spirit of postwar New York and
symbolize a new era of common purpose in tune with President Trump’s promised
Golden Age of America.

RECLAIMING SOVEREIGNTY

The UN headquarters isn’t the Capitol building. It isn’t the Vatican. It’s not a sacred institution tied to New York City or the United States. It’s an office complex for an international organization—and like any office, it can be moved. Given its growing misalignment with American interests, it should be.

Terminating the 1947 Headquarters Agreement would allow the United States to reclaim sovereignty over prime Manhattan real estate while reducing its financial commitments to an institution that too often undermines American values. Redirecting billions of dollars currently spent on the UN to domestic priorities would have an immediate and tangible impact on the lives of Americans.

The upcoming 80th anniversary of the agreement—it was signed on June 26, 1947—presents a natural and symbolic deadline for finalizing a new arrangement. Given the complexities of negotiations and the time required for Congressional approval, setting this milestone ensures there is sufficient lead time to craft a thoughtful and mutually beneficial agreement.

President Trump’s vision and expertise as one of the greatest real estate developers in American history make him uniquely positioned to lead this effort. He’s a master builder and a big thinker. By reimagining the U.S. relationship with the UN, he can protect American taxpayers, strengthen national interests, and leave behind a legacy of transformative urban development in New York City.

Eighty years is enough. The time has come to lift the burden that the UN places on the backs of American taxpayers, and ensure that U.S. foreign policy aligns with the values and priorities of the American people. As President Trump considers bold ideas for America’s future, one hopes he will seize the opportunity to rethink the U.S. role in the UN and the UN’s role in the U.S.

Illustrative rendering of the reimagined, redeveloped 17-acre UN Headquarters site in New York City,. The model middle-income residential project would most likely be developed by a public private partnership. Not intended to reference the social media platform, the proposed name, X City, is a nod to a forgotten piece of New York history. X City was the name for the futuristic city-within-a-city that a legendary New York real estate developer planned to build on the East Side Manhattan property before selling it in 1946 to John D. Rockefeller, who then donated it to the UN for construction of its headquarters.

President Trump, the Master Builder, Could Reshape the Future

of the UN—and New York

By Jonathan Braun

President Donald Trump has made headlines with bold foreign policy ideas like exploring the purchase of Greenland and securing the future of the Panama Canal. This author believes the President should seriously consider a transformative approach to another foreign policy issue: America’s fraught relationship with the United Nations.

Conceived during World War II as a postwar successor to the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent the conflict, the United Nations was intended to promote global peace, security, and cooperation. Instead, it has evolved into a platform for America’s adversaries and a haven for regimes and groups that sponsor terrorism, spread antisemitism, and seek the destruction of Israel.

Even more troubling is the fact that the United States bears a disproportionate share of the financial burden for keeping the UN running, covering 22% of its regular budget and 25% of the organization’s peacekeeping costs.

Adding insult to injury, the UN is headquartered in the U.S., forcing New York City to shoulder the logistical and security challenges of hosting it.

PROPOSED STEPS

It doesn’t have to be this way. The U.S. doesn’t have to continue indefinitely supporting—and hosting—an organization that no longer serves the national interest. The U.S. has the power to modernize its relationship with the UN by taking the following seemingly audacious, yet practical and long-overdue, steps.

The U.S. should withdraw from all UN organizations except for those essential to direct U.S. interests; reduce U.S. contributions to the UN to the minimum required membership dues; and terminate the 1947 Headquarters Agreement that governs the establishment and operation of the UN headquarters in New York City.

The United States has the authority to terminate the agreement under its provisions, citing national security concerns. The presence of hostile regimes and organizations linked to terrorism within the UN poses a direct threat to U.S. sovereignty and public safety, justifying such action.

The UN headquarters occupies 17 acres on Manhattan’s East Side, a prime location in one of the world’s most expensive and desirable real estate markets. The U.S. could purchase the 17-acre UN property for fair market value—say, $1 billion—and lend the UN an additional $1 billion at a reasonable interest rate to fund its relocation to Geneva, Switzerland. A city already home to numerous international organizations, Geneva offers the neutrality and infrastructure ideal for the UN’s operations.

Once the federal government acquires the property, the government could gift it to New York City for redevelopment into a model middle-income housing development. This transformation could address the city’s acute housing shortage, create jobs, and revitalize the neighborhood with retail spaces, schools, and parks. Far from being a loss, the redevelopment would more than compensate New York for the economic impact of the UN’s departure.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY ...

The redeveloped 17-acre site could house approximately 3,550 families, with a population of 8,875–12,425 residents, while still accommodating retail outlets, educational facilities, and green spaces.

The positive economic impact would be enormous, affecting multiple sectors and creating lasting benefits for New York City and beyond.

Property taxes from the residential units and retail and commercial spaces would generate millions annually.
New residents would boost local businesses and service providers.
Construction jobs would be created during development, followed by permanent jobs in retail, education and building management.
New public elementary and middle schools would attract families, helping to stabilize the local population and nurture long-term economic contributions.
A technology incubator with associated economic incentives could spawn companies creating high-paying jobs.

In short, Redeveloping the UN site into a vibrant middle-income residential community would create a self-sustaining economic engine while reinforcing New York’s position as a global leader in urban development. It would be win-win for both the city and its residents.

Assuming close federal and city cooperation—and a smart, fast-tracked development program—the entire project could take seven to 10 years from initial planning to completion. Early-phase projects like residential towers or schools could be operational in as little as 5 years.

IMAGINING X CITY

Jonathan Braun is the founding organizer of the Project 2027 America initiative, which is dedicated to advancing the above-described proposal to modernize America’s relationship with the United Nations.

He is a former professional journalist and new media pioneer, who has served as an editor, writer and reporter for New York City-based national, regional and local publications and as the founder and CEO of groundbreaking Soho and Silicon Alley digital content companies. He is also a former public relations executive whose clients included Fortune 500 companies and the American Stock Exchange prior to it acquisition by NYSE.

A second generation native New Yorker, Jonathan is a graduate of New York City public and private schools and universities. His first-ever television appearance was as an elementary school student member of a WNBC-TV “Youth Forum” about the United Nations.