Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Things to Know and Places to See

Let's get into the issues and events included in the Garment District, but first let's learn how to navigate the streets.

The Fashion Center Business Improvement District, or the district's BID, opened a pedestrian mall on Broadway on Aug. 20. Instead of extra traffic, pedestrians can sit at tables in the road and watch people walk or bicycle by and taxis fly past on the other side of the street. Instead of taking the subway or a taxi, take your bike on the new pathway, and enjoy the sun!

Alright, now we're going to jump into the headline issues. Sample sizes are not the only sizing issue in the district, zoning problems haunt the streets as well. Currently the Garment District has been making headlines about rents that are too high forcing designers to move out. The city’s Planning Department changed some zoning restrictions to allow more residential and commercial construction causing the price raise.

Designers like Anna Sui and Nanette Lepore, who want to fight for the industry, wore T-shirts that said, "Save the Garment Center" at Fashion Week to display the issue. They are fighting to bring the designers of the district together to petition Mayor Michael Bloomberg to save the local industry.

Now onto events, which are plentiful in this district. First of all Madison Square Garden sits right at the beginning of the district, so finding something to do is easy. Some concerts in October include Janet Jackson, Retro Jam 2008, Vincente Fernandez, Madonna and New Kids on the Block. Then, of course, you have the New York Knicks games if you like sports.

The BID hosts events too. From October 16th to 18th, the 4th annual Arts Festival is going on. The festival includes new off-broadway plays, dancing troupes, gallery exhibitions and behind-the-scene visits to artists’ studios.

The Garment District has a lot to offer to entertain its visitors or residents with events of all sorts for every type of person. Make sure you keep up with the zoning news though, or you might find yourself walking into a building that wasn’t there before.

Check out the BID and Madison Square Garden Events!

10 comments:

Ishita Singh said...

Hey, didn't a bunch of designers move their studios out of the Garment District because of high rent prices? Do you know which ones? (I think Diane von Furstenburg was one?)

Brianna Fay said...

Ironic that high rent prices are forcing designers out...they overcharge enough as it is!!

Taylor said...

I'm so happy that designers like Nanette Lepore wore shorts saying "Save the Garment Center." Now, of all times, it is so important to fight to support local designers!

Mike said...

I think it is terrible that alot of the local designers are getting pushed out of the nieghborhood. Especially in an economic crisis, I just think it is going to have a lot of negative ramification on the community.

Kelsey Paine said...

I think the idea of the pedestrian sidewalk sounds really cool. I would like to go there and check it out!

The Jaywalker said...

i also think its really cool that designers are getting so involved in politics now - look at all the designers who came out for barack... and the cool silk-screened bags and tees they've made. every small effort could really influence the youth vote.

Tanya said...

Hey, I absolutely love the fact that you went into sports update. Also, do you know where the designers may have moved?

Meg D said...

i know very little about this neighborhood so i look forward to reading your blog!

Lindsay Mueller said...

Where else are designers supposed to live or work if they can't be in the garment district - this is insane! Kudos to Nanette Lepore and Anna Sui for helping out the BID!!

Chinatown Treasures said...

The pedestrian mall sounds really cool. Is it just a new sitting area or has it brought in any business?