Austin Joseph Tobin

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 the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, from 1942 until 1972. In 1942, he was appointed as executive director of the Port Authority. Tobin also is noted for prioritizing mass transit more than Moses did. Tobin and Moses worked together to help fund and build the Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge and the Throgs Neck Bridge.

In 1966, Tobin received The 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, in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 74.

Legacy Austin J. Tobin Plaza

In 1982, the Port Authority decided to rename the outdoor plaza at the World Trade Center as the Austin J. Tobin Plaza in his honor. The centerpiece of the plaza was The Sphere, a 25-foot tall bronze sculpture designed by Fritz Koenig. The plaza was destroyed during the September 11 attacks in 2001. The National September 11 Memorial now occupies the site.