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CNN Live At Daybreak

Clinton Set to Move Into Harlem

Aired July 30, 2001 - 08:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Former President Bill Clinton is moving on up to a new office in Harlem, and the neighborhood is rolling out the carpet for him as you might imagine.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa comes to us from a neighborhood in transition -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Colleen. And let me tell you, this is not a normal day in Harlem. This is clearly something quite different. People are getting ready for a party -- here in New York City we call it block parties -- to welcome the former president into his new office.

The party will be held here at about 11:00 Eastern Time this morning. Actually the president -- the former president's office is about one block down. It is one of the tallest buildings in Harlem. And let me tell you, in terms of real estate, the former president is getting what we would call a real get. He has got a full floor with an unobstructed view of Manhattan, a southern view of Manhattan, a panoramic view of Central Park all the way down to the Empire State Building.

Mr. Clinton has the office divided into three parts. One side of the office is for his staff, in the middle a conference room, and the whole other half with unobstructed view is Mr. Clinton's private office with enough room for his 7,000 books. The mood and decor, according to the designer who came up with the plan, the president said he wanted it to be -- the former president said he wanted it to be relaxed.

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NAVID MAQAMI, ARCHITECT: The space is understated. It is simple. We had to act quickly, find materials that already would be available. And that was our task -- a limited budget and a very tight schedule.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HINOJOSA: Now, in terms of the party that is planned here, there is expected to be two senators, one of which will be the former president's wife, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, one congressman and a mayor, Mayor Giuliani, will be here also to welcome the former president. But in terms of the president actually moving in to his office, well, those who are familiar with any kind of remodeling done, it's not ready yet. The office -- his private office will be ready in several weeks, is what we're being told.

Reporting live from Harlem, Maria Hinojosa, CNN.

MCEDWARDS: All right, Maria, thanks very much.

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