DM644 Design Futures Thriving Cultures Lab Cinthia Brake, Scott Irwin, Aditi Mukherjee, RenĂŠ Ng, Francine Seibald, Adam Zoltowski
The Garment District 2011 In Danger of Extinction
Friday, February 11, 2011
NEED Need to preserve and enhance the culture, networks, economic prospects and fashion related to the garment district. •
Fashion is an important part of the city’s economy and identity.
•
NYC is the Fashion Capital of the world.
165,000 50% •
Over
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people
$9
b in total wages
$1.7
b in tax revenues.
of all fashion jobs are found in the Garment Center.
OPPORTUNITY (Initiatives)
+
(Existing relationships/Interactions) + (S4S mission) + (Financial viability) + (Zoning) + (Physical space) + (Jobbers) =
OPPORTUNITY!
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EVIDENCE •
Need to redefine District’s role in the city
•
15% vacant space
•
Multiple coalitions working towards similar goals
•
New designers rely on District.
•
Neighboring districts have changed.
•
Proximity between jobbers and designers is crucial for the creative process.
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VISION Serve as a catalyst and model for a revitalized neighborhood. To design a fashion, technology, creative and cultural hub in the Garment District area that will serve as a catalyst and model for a revitalized neighborhood.
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PHASE ONE (a) 530 7th Avenue Competition Student + professionals (architects + space designers) for design of hub Office Space CFDA / S4S / UNITE HERE (S4S connecting jobber to designer) Education Multi function room Promotional Window space to designers
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PHASE ONE (b) 530 7th Avenue New Tech - starting point S4S brings in PR, models, stylists
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PHASE TWO (38th Street) Find empty space/ leases runout (Talk to landlords)
Fashion tourism a) Partnership hotels b) Workshops c) Conferences d) Fashion week Fashion tech Museum Branding
a) Subways b) Street
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RECOMMENDATIONS Coalitions 1) Building the HUB • Office of the Mayor • Municipal Art Society of New York City (MAS NYC) • The Fashion Center Business Improvement District • Economic Development Council (EDC)
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2
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2) Management and operations of HUB • S4S • Unite here • CFDA 3) Design Competition and collaboration of architects, interior designers, and academic institutions to determine the final design of the space and any branding associated with it.
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RECOMMENDATIONS Zoning • Meet with the following groups: the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the City Planning Commission (CPC), Community Boards, the Borough Presidents, the Borough Boards, the City Council and the Mayor. • Design and Submit plan to the city • Design a back up plan should the project plan be rejected • Apply for a waiver for all zoning on the building • Explore the historical elements that could be used in favor of phase II
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RECOMMENDATIONS Taxes •
Existing tax incentives can help cut costs of starting up the Hub
In the long term, bigger changes and incentives are needed to revitalize the District: to attract new businesses (e.g. tax credits to keep operating costs low), and make the District a competitive choice to do business •
•
City needs to implement similar programs and incentives as existing ones for film
Friday, February 11, 2011