At the turn of the 20th century it was a growing, vibrant and complete community.
The Holocaust saw the destruction of the once vibrant community.
The trick, though, led to the growth of a vibrant community.
"This is an incredibly vibrant community here and you are ignoring us."
It became home to one of the world's largest and most vibrant Jewish communities.
But some alumni wonder if the sign is all that will be left of the once vibrant community one day.
Still, the numbers are troubling; a vibrant community should at least be holding its own.
Now questions are being raised about whether the plans to make the financial district a vibrant 24-hour community will ever be fully realized.
The city still had some way to go before it grew a vibrant urban community.
"The challenge for educators and companies is creating a vibrant community around the information," he added.